6 - PRESENT TENSE vs. PAST TENSE /AST TENSE vs. PRESENT PERFECT
If you already know how to use the PRESENT TENSE, then the Past Tense will be easy.
In general, the Past Tense is used to talk about something that started and finished at a definite time in the past.
How to form the Past Tense in English
The main rule is that for every verb in English, there is only one form of it in the past tense.(The exception is the PAST TENSE of "BE", which has two forms: was and were)
For example: The past tense of the verb want is wanted.
Wanted is used as the past tense for all subjects/pronouns.
- I / you / he / we / they wanted
Examples of sentences using regular verbs in the past tense
- Last night I played my guitar loudly and the neighbors complained.
- She kissed me on the cheek.
- It rained yesterday.
- Angela watched TV all night.
- John wanted to go to the museum.
Negative sentences in the Past Tense
We use didn't (did not) to make a negative sentence in the past tense.This is for regular AND irregular verbs in English.
(Exception is Be and Modal Verbs such as Can)
Compare the following:
Present: They don't live in Canada.
Past: They didn't live in Canada.
The main verb (live in the example above) is in its base form (of the infinitive). The auxiliary DIDN'T shows that the sentence is negative AND in the past tense.
NOTICE: The only difference between a negative sentence in the present tense and a negative sentence in the past tense is the change in the auxiliary verb.
Both don't and doesn't in the present tense become didn't in the past tense.
Compare the negative sentences in the examples below:
Present: You don't need a mechanic.
Past: You didn't need a mechanic.
Present: You don't walk to work.
Past: You didn't walk to work.
Present: He doesn't speak Japanese.
Past: He didn't speak Japanese.
Questions in the Past Tense
We use did to make a question in the past tense.This is for regular AND irregular verbs in English.(Exception is To Be and Modal Verbs such as Can)
Compare the following:
Present: Do they live in France?
Past: Did they live in France?
The main verb (live in the example above) is in its base form (of the infinitive). The auxiliary DID shows that the question is in the past tense.
NOTICE: The only difference between a question in the present tense and a question in the past tense is the change in the auxiliary verb.
Both Do and Does in present tense questions become Didn't in past tense questions.
Compare the questions in the examples below:
Present: Do you need a doctor?
Past: Did you need a doctor?
Present: Do you ride your bike to work?
Past: Did you ride your bike to work?
Present: Does he live in Italy?
Past: Did he live in Italy?
We can also use a question word (Who, What, Why etc.) before DID to ask for more information.
- Did you study? – Yes, I did.
- When did you study? – I studied last night.
- Where did you study? – I studied at the library.
Irregular Verbs in the Past Tense
Irregular verbs are ONLY irregular in affirmative/positive sentences.(An exception to this is with the verb "BE" in the Past Tense).
For example: The past tense of GO is WENT.
It does not end in –ED so it is considered irregular.
The word went is used for all subjects – I, you, we, they, he, she, it.
- I / he / we / they went to the beach
Compare the following using GO in the past tense.
- They went to the beach
- They didn't go to the beach --- Didn't shows that we are talking in the past tense.
- Did they go to the beach? --- Did shows that we are talking in the past tense.
Present vs Past Tense Summary Chart
PAST TENSE vs. PRESENT PERFECT
The Present Perfect Tense is formed using the following structure:
Affirmative: Subject + Have / Has + Past Participle(3rd column irregular verbs)
Negative: Subject + Haven't / Hasn't + Past Participle
Question: Have / Has + Subject + Past Participle
Affirmative Sentences
| Subject | Have | Past Participle | Rest of the Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | have | studied | for the exam. |
| You | have | bought | a new computer. |
| He | has | eaten | my chocolate. |
| She | has | written | an e-mail. |
| It | has | been | cold this month. |
| We | have | won | the championship. |
| You | have | tried | to learn a lot. |
| They | have | forgotten | my birthday. |
Contractions
The contracted form of the perfect tense is quite common:| Have | Contraction | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| I have | I've | I've spent all my money. |
| You have | You've | You've worn that dress before. |
| He has | He's | He's slept all morning. |
| She has | She's | She's lost her purse. |
| It has | It's | It's fallen off the wall. |
| We have | We've | We've chosen you for the job. |
| You have | You've | You've begun to annoy me. |
| They have | They've | They've drunk too much. |
Negative Sentences
The contraction of the perfect tense in negative form is: Have not = Haven't / Has not = Hasn't| Subject | Have | Past Participle | Rest of the Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | haven't | studied | for the exam. |
| You | haven't | bought | a new computer. |
| He | hasn't | eaten | my chocolate. |
| She | hasn't | written | an e-mail. |
| It | hasn't | been | cold this month. |
| We | haven't | won | the championship. |
| You | haven't | tried | to learn a lot. |
| They | haven't | forgotten | my birthday. |
Questions
| Have | Subject | Past Participle | Rest of the Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Have | I | been | chosen for the team? |
| Have | you | bought | a new car? |
| Has | he | eaten | my sandwich? |
| Has | she | written | the letter? |
| Has | it | started | on time? |
| Have | we | won | a trophy? |
| Have | you | kept | my secret? |
| Have | they | driven | there? |
When do we use the Present Perfect Tense?
1. Unspecified point in the past- I have been to Spain three times.
(At some unspecified time in the past, I went to Spain).
- I went to Spain three times in 2005.
(specified time in the past - the year 2005)
- We can't find our luggage. Have you seen it?
(The luggage was lost in the past, do you know where it is now?)
It usually refers to an event happening at some moment in your life.
- Has she ever tried Chilean wine before? (in her life)
- I've never eaten monkey brains before. (in my life)
- Do you want to go to a restaurant with me?
No, thanks. I've just eaten lunch. (I recently ate lunch.)
- Are Carlos and Rodrigo here? No, they haven't arrived yet. (they're still not here now)
- I've already graduated from University. (I expected to graduate at a later date.)
- Mike has worked at Woodward for 3 years.
(Mike started working at Woodward 3 years ago and he still works there now.) - Julie has worked at Woodward since September last year.
(Julie began working at Woodward in September of last year, and that hasn't changed - she still works here now.)
TEST YOURSELF:
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