Intermediate English Grammar for ESL Learners - Robin Torres-Gouzerh 2016

Tenses
3 The verb

Most verbs can be conjugated in the present, past, and future tenses. The present participle, or progressive form, of a verb is used together with the auxiliary be to show a continuing or incomplete action in the various tenses.

Consider the verb speak in its progressive form.

Compare these sentences with the following sentences, which illustrate a completed or habitual action.

The progressive form of be (being) is used only in the present and past tenses.

Exercise 3.2 Rewrite each present-tense sentence using the other five tenses.

1. I study mathematics.

2. Tom is going to Iraq.

3. Anna comes along.

4. They are driving to Arizona.

Exercise 3.3 In each sentence, if the verb illustrates habitual action, rewrite the sentence with the progressive form of the verb. If the verb is the progressive form, rewrite the sentence to illustrate habitual action. Retain the tense of the original sentence.

1. Why is he running so fast?

2. The boys swam across the river.

3. The hungry campers have eaten the hot dogs.

4. I won’t be going to work today.

5. The old woman was very nice to me.

6. My uncle has sung in a chorus.

7. Will you drive your dad’s new car?

8. I was thinking about you.

9. We had shopped there.

10. We were camping on the side of a hill.