Before you begin the verb tense lessons, it is extremely important to understand that NOT all English verbs are the same. English verbs are divided into three groups: Normal Verbs, Non-Continuous Verbs, and Mixed Verbs.
Group I Normal Verbs
Most verbs are "Normal Verbs." These verbs are usually physical actions which you can see somebody doing. These verbs can be used in all tenses.
Normal Verbs
to run, to walk, to eat, to fly, to go, to say, to touch, etc.
Examples:
* I eat dinner every day.
* I am eating dinner now.
Group II Non-Continuous Verbs
The second group, called "Non-Continuous Verbs," is smaller. These verbs are usually things you cannot see somebody doing. These verbs are rarely used in continuous tenses. They include:
Abstract Verbs
to be, to want, to cost, to seem, to need, to care, to contain, to owe, to exist...
Possession Verbs
to possess, to own, to belong...
Emotion Verbs
to like, to love, to hate, to dislike, to fear, to envy, to mind...
Examples:
* He is needing help now. Not Correct
* He needs help now. Correct
* He is wanting a drink now. Not Correct
* He wants a drink now. Correct
Group III Mixed Verbs
The third group, called "Mixed Verbs," is the smallest group. These verbs have more than one meaning. In a way, each meaning is a unique verb. Some meanings behave like "Non-Continuous Verbs," while other meanings behave like "Normal Verbs."
Mixed Verbs
to appear, to feel, to have, to hear, to look, to see, to weigh...
List of Mixed Verbs with Examples and Definitions:
to appear:
* Donna appears confused. Non-Continuous Verb
Donna seems confused.
* My favorite singer is appearing at the jazz club tonight. Normal Verb
My favorite singer is giving a performance at the jazz club tonight.
to have:
* I have a dollar now. Non-Continuous Verb
I possess a dollar.
* I am having fun now. Normal Verb
I am experiencing fun now.
to hear:
* She hears the music. Non-Continuous Verb
She hears the music with her ears.
* She is hearing voices. Normal Verb
She hears something others cannot hear. She is hearing voices in her mind.
to look:
* Nancy looks tired. Non-Continuous Verb
She seems tired.
* Farah is looking at the pictures. Normal Verb
She is looking with her eyes.
to miss:
* John misses Sally. Non-Continuous Verb
He is sad because she is not there.
* Debbie is missing her favorite TV program. Normal Verb
She is not there to see her favorite program.
to see:
* I see her. Non-Continuous Verb
I see her with my eyes.
* I am seeing the doctor. Normal Verb
I am visiting or consulting with a doctor. (Also used with dentist and lawyer.)
* I am seeing her. Normal Verb
I am having a relationship with her.
* He is seeing ghosts at night. Normal Verb
He sees something others cannot see. For example ghosts, aura, a vision of the future, etc.
to smell:
* The coffee smells good. Non-Continuous Verb
The coffee has a good smell.
* I am smelling the flowers. Normal Verb
I am sniffing the flowers to see what their smell is like.
to taste:
* The coffee tastes good. Non-Continuous Verb
The coffee has a good taste.
* I am tasting the cake. Normal Verb
I am trying the cake to see what it tastes like.
to think:
* He thinks the test is easy. Non-Continuous Verb
He considers the test to be easy.
* She is thinking about the question. Normal Verb
She is pondering the question, going over it in her mind.
to weigh:
* The table weighs a lot. Non-Continuous Verb
The table is heavy.
* She is weighing herself. Normal Verb
She is determining her weight.
Some Verbs Can Be Especially Confusing:
to be:
* Joe is American. Non-Continuous Verb
Joe is an American citizen.
* Joe is being very American. Normal Verb
Joe is behaving like a stereotypical American.
* Joe is being very rude. Normal Verb
Joe is behaving very rudely. Usually he is not rude.
* Joe is being very formal. Normal Verb
Joe is behaving very formally. Usually he is not formal.
NOTICE: Only rarely is "to be" used in a continuous form. This is most commonly done when a person is temporarily behaving badly or stereotypically. It can also be used when someone's behavior is noticeably different.
to feel:
* The massage feels great. Non-Continuous Verb
The massage has a pleasing feeling.
* I don't feel well today. Sometimes used as Non-Continuous Verb
I am a little sick.
I am not feeling well today. Sometimes used as Normal Verb
I am a little sick.
NOTICE: The second meaning of "feel" is very flexible and there is no real difference in meaning between "I don't feel well today" and "I am not feeling well today."
Active / Passive Verb Forms
Sentences can be active or passive. Therefore, tenses also have "active forms" and "passive forms." You must learn to recognize the difference to successfully speak English.
Active Form
In active sentences, the thing doing the action is the subject of the sentence and the thing receiving the action is the object. Most sentences are active.
[Thing doing action] + [verb] + [thing receiving action]
Examples:
Passive Form
In passive sentences, the thing receiving the action is the subject of the sentence and the thing doing the action is optionally included near the end of the sentence. You can use the passive form if you think that the thing receiving the action is more important or should be emphasized. You can also use the passive form if you do not know who is doing the action or if you do not want to mention who is doing the action.
[Thing receiving action] + [be] + [past participle of verb] + [by] + [thing doing action]
Examples:
Active / Passive Overview
Active Passive
Simple Present
Once a week, Tom cleans the house.
Once a week, the house is cleaned by Tom.
Present Continuous
Right now, Sarah is writing the letter.
Right now, the letter is being written by Sarah.
Simple Past
Sam repaired the car.
The car was repaired by Sam.
Past Continuous
The salesman was helping the customer when the thief came into the store.
The customer was being helped by the salesman when the thief came into the store.
Present Perfect
Many tourists have visited that castle.
That castle has been visited by many tourists.
Present Perfect Continuous
Recently, John has been doing the work.
Recently, the work has been being done by John.
Past Perfect
George had repaired many cars before he received his mechanic's license.
Many cars had been repaired by George before he received his mechanic's license.
Past Perfect Continuous
Chef Jones had been preparing the restaurant's fantastic dinners for two years before he moved to Paris.
The restaurant's fantastic dinners had been being prepared by Chef Jones for two years before he moved to Paris.
Simple Future
will
Someone will finish the work by 5:00 PM.
The work will be finished by 5:00 PM.
Simple Future
be going to
Sally is going to make a beautiful dinner tonight.
A beautiful dinner is going to be made by Sally tonight.
Future Continuous
will
At 8:00 PM tonight, John will be washing the dishes.
At 8:00 PM tonight, the dishes will be being washed by John.
Future Continuous
be going to
At 8:00 PM tonight, John is going to be washing the dishes.
At 8:00 PM tonight, the dishes are going to be being washed by John.
Future Perfect
will
They will have completed the project before the deadline.
The project will have been completed before the deadline.
Future Perfect
be going to
They are going to have completed the project before the deadline.
The project is going to have been completed before the deadline.
Future Perfect Continuous
will
The famous artist will have been painting the mural for over six months by the time it is finished.
The mural will have been being painted by the famous artist for over six months by the time it is finished.
Future Perfect Continuous
be going to
The famous artist is going to have been painting the mural for over six months by the time it is finished.
The mural is going to have been being painted by the famous artist for over six months by the time it is finished.
Used to
Jerry used to pay the bills.
The bills used to be paid by Jerry.
Would Always
My mother would always make the pies.
The pies would always be made by my mother.
Future in the Past
Would
I knew John would finish the work by 5:00 PM.
I knew the work would be finished by 5:00 PM.
Future in the Past
Was Going to
I thought Sally was going to make a beautiful dinner tonight.
I thought a beautiful dinner was going to be made by Sally tonight.
Sentences can be active or passive. Therefore, tenses also have "active forms" and "passive forms." You must learn to recognize the difference to successfully speak English.
Active Form
In active sentences, the thing doing the action is the subject of the sentence and the thing receiving the action is the object. Most sentences are active.
[Thing doing action] + [verb] + [thing receiving action]
Examples:
Passive Form
In passive sentences, the thing receiving the action is the subject of the sentence and the thing doing the action is optionally included near the end of the sentence. You can use the passive form if you think that the thing receiving the action is more important or should be emphasized. You can also use the passive form if you do not know who is doing the action or if you do not want to mention who is doing the action.
[Thing receiving action] + [be] + [past participle of verb] + [by] + [thing doing action]
Examples:
Active / Passive Overview
Active Passive
Simple Present
Once a week, Tom cleans the house.
Once a week, the house is cleaned by Tom.
Present Continuous
Right now, Sarah is writing the letter.
Right now, the letter is being written by Sarah.
Simple Past
Sam repaired the car.
The car was repaired by Sam.
Past Continuous
The salesman was helping the customer when the thief came into the store.
The customer was being helped by the salesman when the thief came into the store.
Present Perfect
Many tourists have visited that castle.
That castle has been visited by many tourists.
Present Perfect Continuous
Recently, John has been doing the work.
Recently, the work has been being done by John.
Past Perfect
George had repaired many cars before he received his mechanic's license.
Many cars had been repaired by George before he received his mechanic's license.
Past Perfect Continuous
Chef Jones had been preparing the restaurant's fantastic dinners for two years before he moved to Paris.
The restaurant's fantastic dinners had been being prepared by Chef Jones for two years before he moved to Paris.
Simple Future
will
Someone will finish the work by 5:00 PM.
The work will be finished by 5:00 PM.
Simple Future
be going to
Sally is going to make a beautiful dinner tonight.
A beautiful dinner is going to be made by Sally tonight.
Future Continuous
will
At 8:00 PM tonight, John will be washing the dishes.
At 8:00 PM tonight, the dishes will be being washed by John.
Future Continuous
be going to
At 8:00 PM tonight, John is going to be washing the dishes.
At 8:00 PM tonight, the dishes are going to be being washed by John.
Future Perfect
will
They will have completed the project before the deadline.
The project will have been completed before the deadline.
Future Perfect
be going to
They are going to have completed the project before the deadline.
The project is going to have been completed before the deadline.
Future Perfect Continuous
will
The famous artist will have been painting the mural for over six months by the time it is finished.
The mural will have been being painted by the famous artist for over six months by the time it is finished.
Future Perfect Continuous
be going to
The famous artist is going to have been painting the mural for over six months by the time it is finished.
The mural is going to have been being painted by the famous artist for over six months by the time it is finished.
Used to
Jerry used to pay the bills.
The bills used to be paid by Jerry.
Would Always
My mother would always make the pies.
The pies would always be made by my mother.
Future in the Past
Would
I knew John would finish the work by 5:00 PM.
I knew the work would be finished by 5:00 PM.
Future in the Past
Was Going to
I thought Sally was going to make a beautiful dinner tonight.
I thought a beautiful dinner was going to be made by Sally tonight.
This lesson you should heed
Try, try again
If at first you don’t succeed,
Try, try again
Then you courage shoud appear
For , if you will perservere
You will conquer, never fear
Try, try again
Once or twice though you should fail
Try, try again
If you would at last prevail
Try, try again
If we strive, this no disgrace
Though we do not win the race
What should you do in that case ?
Try, try again
Time will bring you your reward
Try, try again
All that other folks can do
Why with patience, should not you ?
Try, try again
If at first you don’t succeed,
Try, try again
Then you courage shoud appear
For , if you will perservere
You will conquer, never fear
Try, try again
Once or twice though you should fail
Try, try again
If you would at last prevail
Try, try again
If we strive, this no disgrace
Though we do not win the race
What should you do in that case ?
Try, try again
Time will bring you your reward
Try, try again
All that other folks can do
Why with patience, should not you ?
You’d better and You’d rather .
Right :You’d better stay , hadn’t you ?
Wrong :You’d better stay , woudn’t you ?
Right :You’d rather go , woudn’t you ?
Wrong :You’d rather go, hadn’t you ?
Notice :You’d better = you had better.
You’d rather = you woud rather.
Litte and A litte
Wrong :She slept a little and left no better.
Right :She slept little and left no better.
Wrong :She slept little and left better.
Right :She slept a little and left better.
“Little” means not much and emphasizes the smallness of the amount. It is distinguished from “ a little “ which means at least some.
Many and Much
Wrong :My mother hasn’t much books.
Right :My mother hasn’t many books.
Wrong :Is there many dust in the field ?
Right :Is there much dust in the field ?
“Many” is used with plural nouns: as, many books or many boys.
“Much” is used with singular nouns that have no plural as, much water or much bread.
Right :You’d better stay , hadn’t you ?
Wrong :You’d better stay , woudn’t you ?
Right :You’d rather go , woudn’t you ?
Wrong :You’d rather go, hadn’t you ?
Notice :You’d better = you had better.
You’d rather = you woud rather.
Litte and A litte
Wrong :She slept a little and left no better.
Right :She slept little and left no better.
Wrong :She slept little and left better.
Right :She slept a little and left better.
“Little” means not much and emphasizes the smallness of the amount. It is distinguished from “ a little “ which means at least some.
Many and Much
Wrong :My mother hasn’t much books.
Right :My mother hasn’t many books.
Wrong :Is there many dust in the field ?
Right :Is there much dust in the field ?
“Many” is used with plural nouns: as, many books or many boys.
“Much” is used with singular nouns that have no plural as, much water or much bread.
• Every cloud has a silver lining = Every troble has something hopeful that you can see in it, like the bright edge around a dark cloud.
- The doctor told Rudy to cheer up when he had measles (penyakit campak).
“Every cloud has a silver lining,” he said.( The doctor tod Rudy that he would
soon be better again).
•Every dog has his day = Everyone will have his chance or turn , everyone is lucky or popular at some time.
-Diana will be able to go to dances like her sister when she grows up. Every dog has his day . ( Diana’s chance to go to dances will come).
•First things first = Other things must wait until the most important and necessary things are done.
- Study your lesson before you go out to play . First things first.(Your lessons are more important and must be done before play)
•For good = Permanently , forever , for always.
- The lost money was one gone for good . ( the never found the lost )
•Or so = About , or a little more.
- The dictionary cost $ 10 or so .(It cost about $10)
•Here goes = I am ready to begin. Said especially before beginning something that takes skill, luck, or courage.
- “Here goes !” said Sianti as she started the test.( I hope I’m lucky and know the answer).
•Name is mud = (you) are in trouble.
- Your name will be mud if you tell the teacher about the bad thing we did. ( we won’t like you if you tell the teacher).
•Double – date = to go on double – date, date with another couple.
- Joko and Linda and Ratna and Budi double – date. (They go out on dates together)
•Do dutch = to go for fun together but have each person pay for himself.
- They girl knew her boy friend had a little money , so she offered to go dutch.(She knew herboy friend had a little money , so she offered to pay her way while he paid his).
•Road test = A test to see if you can drive a car
- Supar took the road test and got his driving license ast week.
•Go steady = to go on dates with the same person all the time.
- At first Sinatra and Santi were not serious about each other , but now there are going steady. (now they go to all the dances and parties together , Sinatra does not date other girls and santi does not other boys).
•Play hooky = to stay out of school to play.
- Indrawati is failed in school because she had played hooky so many times during the year. (She often stayed out of school doing nothing during the year)
- The doctor told Rudy to cheer up when he had measles (penyakit campak).
“Every cloud has a silver lining,” he said.( The doctor tod Rudy that he would
soon be better again).
•Every dog has his day = Everyone will have his chance or turn , everyone is lucky or popular at some time.
-Diana will be able to go to dances like her sister when she grows up. Every dog has his day . ( Diana’s chance to go to dances will come).
•First things first = Other things must wait until the most important and necessary things are done.
- Study your lesson before you go out to play . First things first.(Your lessons are more important and must be done before play)
•For good = Permanently , forever , for always.
- The lost money was one gone for good . ( the never found the lost )
•Or so = About , or a little more.
- The dictionary cost $ 10 or so .(It cost about $10)
•Here goes = I am ready to begin. Said especially before beginning something that takes skill, luck, or courage.
- “Here goes !” said Sianti as she started the test.( I hope I’m lucky and know the answer).
•Name is mud = (you) are in trouble.
- Your name will be mud if you tell the teacher about the bad thing we did. ( we won’t like you if you tell the teacher).
•Double – date = to go on double – date, date with another couple.
- Joko and Linda and Ratna and Budi double – date. (They go out on dates together)
•Do dutch = to go for fun together but have each person pay for himself.
- They girl knew her boy friend had a little money , so she offered to go dutch.(She knew herboy friend had a little money , so she offered to pay her way while he paid his).
•Road test = A test to see if you can drive a car
- Supar took the road test and got his driving license ast week.
•Go steady = to go on dates with the same person all the time.
- At first Sinatra and Santi were not serious about each other , but now there are going steady. (now they go to all the dances and parties together , Sinatra does not date other girls and santi does not other boys).
•Play hooky = to stay out of school to play.
- Indrawati is failed in school because she had played hooky so many times during the year. (She often stayed out of school doing nothing during the year)
There are several English, one of them by playing games. Teacher and student may conduct such activities so that they can practise their English. Here are some examples of how to practise English through games.
I. WHAT IS MY JOB
In this activity student can practise question and answer using the simple present tense.
1.A teacher or a student must think of an occupation, e.g a bus-driver, a doctor, a housewife, a carpenter, a teacher, etc. The name of the occupation can written on a piece of paper and left on the teacher’s desk .
2. The rest of the class can ask question or less. Do not make too many wild guesses of the kind:
“ Are you an electrician ?”
“Are you typist ?”
Ask question which give you a clue to the person’s occupation., e.g
“Do you work in an office or outdoors ?”
“Do you usually wear an uniform ?”
“Do you usually work with tools ?”
“Do you make anything in your work ?”
etc.
II. WHAT WILL YOU DO ?
This is an activities to give you practice in the use of the simple future tense. A teacher (or ,later on , a student ) can write down something he will do in the future, e.g
-I will go to the cinema on Saturday.
-I will have a bath this evening.
-I will buy a dictionary tomorrow morning.
The teacher will write the sentence on a piece of paper but he will not show you. You must ask question to guess what he will do. If you are clever, you can find out what he will do.
Here are some question to help you :
1.Question : When will you do it ?
Answer : I will do it tonight.
I will do it tomorrow evening.
I will do it on Saturday.
2.Question : Where will you do it ?
Answer : I will do it at home.
I will do it at the market.
I will do it in a shop.
3.Question : What will you use ?
Answer : I will use some a soap.
I will use some money.
4.Question : Who will help you ?
Answer : My mother will help me.
No body will help me.
5.Question : Will you do it in the kitchen ?
Answer : Yes, I will.
No, I won’t.
I. WHAT IS MY JOB
In this activity student can practise question and answer using the simple present tense.
1.A teacher or a student must think of an occupation, e.g a bus-driver, a doctor, a housewife, a carpenter, a teacher, etc. The name of the occupation can written on a piece of paper and left on the teacher’s desk .
2. The rest of the class can ask question or less. Do not make too many wild guesses of the kind:
“ Are you an electrician ?”
“Are you typist ?”
Ask question which give you a clue to the person’s occupation., e.g
“Do you work in an office or outdoors ?”
“Do you usually wear an uniform ?”
“Do you usually work with tools ?”
“Do you make anything in your work ?”
etc.
II. WHAT WILL YOU DO ?
This is an activities to give you practice in the use of the simple future tense. A teacher (or ,later on , a student ) can write down something he will do in the future, e.g
-I will go to the cinema on Saturday.
-I will have a bath this evening.
-I will buy a dictionary tomorrow morning.
The teacher will write the sentence on a piece of paper but he will not show you. You must ask question to guess what he will do. If you are clever, you can find out what he will do.
Here are some question to help you :
1.Question : When will you do it ?
Answer : I will do it tonight.
I will do it tomorrow evening.
I will do it on Saturday.
2.Question : Where will you do it ?
Answer : I will do it at home.
I will do it at the market.
I will do it in a shop.
3.Question : What will you use ?
Answer : I will use some a soap.
I will use some money.
4.Question : Who will help you ?
Answer : My mother will help me.
No body will help me.
5.Question : Will you do it in the kitchen ?
Answer : Yes, I will.
No, I won’t.
Langganan:
Postingan (Atom)