45 Slides Total
All Things Verbal
Master the building blocks of English grammar
What verbs are, types, forms, and common mistakes
Words that show action, state, or occurrence
Predicate core, agree with subject, mark tense/aspect/voice
run, think, become, is, seem, happen
"The children play in the park every day."
"She is writing a novel about her experiences."
Verbs describing observable actions: run, jump, build, write, swim, dance
"She writes daily in her journal."
"They built a new house last summer."
Verbs describing cognitive activities: think, decide, remember, consider, imagine
"I think this solution will work."
"They solved the puzzle after hours of concentration."
be, seem, become, appear, remain, feel, look, sound, taste, smell
Link subject to subject complement (predicate noun or adjective)
The soup smells delicious. / He became a pilot.
"She is happy." (links subject to adjective)
"The cake tastes sweet." (sensory linking verb)
"The situation remains uncertain." (state of being)
be, have, do
"She is studying." / "They have finished." / "Do you know?"
can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must, ought to
"She can swim." / "He might arrive late." / "You must complete the task."
Form questions, negatives, tenses, voice, and express modality
Question: "Will you attend?" / Negative: "She does not agree." / Perfect tense: "I have seen it."
Definition:
Verbs that require a direct object to complete their meaning
Examples:
Test:
Ask "What?" or "Whom?" after the verb
She kicked (what?) the ball.
Definition:
Verbs that do not require a direct object to complete their meaning
Examples:
Often followed by:
Adverbs or prepositional phrases (not objects)
She laughed loudly (adverb).
They arrived at noon (prep. phrase).
Add -ed/-d to form past tense and past participle
work → worked → worked
talk → talked → talked
Change form in unpredictable ways
go → went → gone
buy → bought → bought
swim → swam → swum
Group irregular verbs by similar patterns
Show tense and agree with subject in number and person
"She walks to school every day." (present tense, 3rd person singular)
"They were singing when I arrived." (past continuous, 3rd person plural)
Do not show tense or agree with subject in number
"to walk" (infinitive), "walking" (gerund/present participle), "walked" (past participle)
Verb + particle (preposition or adverb): look up, turn off, give in, run into
Often idiomatic: meaning differs from individual words
Common phrasal verbs in sentences
"Please turn off the lights before you leave."
"We ran into an old friend at the mall yesterday."
"I need to look up this word in the dictionary."
Usage Pattern: Regular verbs follow predictable patterns, while irregular verbs have unique forms. All verb forms derive from the base form and are used in specific grammatical contexts.
The data is conclusive on this point.
The data are conclusive on this point.
"Data" is technically plural (singular: datum), requiring plural verb in formal/scientific writing.
He goes to the store and then left.
He went to the store and then left.
Maintain consistent tense throughout a narrative unless there's a specific reason to switch.
Let's discuss about the plan.
Let's discuss the plan.
"Discuss" is transitive and takes a direct object without a preposition.
Indicative, imperative, subjunctive, conditional
Speaker's attitude toward the proposition or statement
Expresses how the speaker views the reality, possibility, or necessity of an action
She teaches math at the university.
Statement of fact
Do they agree with the proposal?
Question seeking information
It probably rains tomorrow.
Opinion or prediction
Commands: "Stop talking." / "Open the door."
Polite requests: "Please take a seat." / "Kindly wait here."
Instructions: "First, mix the ingredients. Then, bake for 30 minutes."
"Don't be late." (negative imperative with 'don't')
"Let's begin." ('let's' for inclusive suggestions)
Express desires about situations that are untrue or unlikely
"I wish I were taller." (But I am not tall)
"She wishes she had more time." (But she doesn't)
Describe imaginary or contrary-to-fact conditions
"If I were you, I would apply for the job." (I am not you)
"She acts as though she were the manager." (She isn't)
Use base verb after if/that in certain patterns; 'be' becomes 'be/were' for all persons
"The teacher insisted that he submit the assignment." (not submits)
"I wish he were here." (not was, for all persons including singular)
suggest, recommend, insist, demand, essential that...
that + subject + base verb
They insisted that he leave.
"I suggest that she be informed of the decision."
"The committee demands that the proposal be reviewed immediately."
"It is essential that everyone arrive on time."
If + present simple, present simple (general truths/facts)
If water boils, it turns to steam.
If + present simple, will + infinitive (likely future)
If it rains, we will cancel the picnic.
If + past simple, would + infinitive (unlikely/hypothetical)
If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.
If + past perfect, would have + past participle (impossible past)
If I had seen you, I would have waved.
Combinations of different conditionals (mixed time references)
If I were taller (present/general), I would have reached it (past).
| Mood Type | Same Idea Different Forms |
|---|---|
| Indicative | He is late. States a fact or reality |
| Imperative | Be on time. Gives a command or instruction |
| Subjunctive | I insist that he be on time. Expresses wishes, demands, or hypothetical situations |
| Conditional | If he were on time, we would start now. Describes what would happen under certain conditions |
If I was you, I would apply for that job.
If I were you, I would apply for that job.
Use "were" (not "was") in hypothetical/counterfactual conditions with "if" clauses.
They demanded that he leaves immediately.
They demanded that he leave immediately.
After verbs like "demand," "suggest," "insist," "recommend," use the base form of the verb (no -s ending).
Please to sit down and wait your turn.
Please sit down and wait your turn.
Imperative mood uses the base form of the verb without "to." Never combine "please" with the infinitive.
Meaning, nuance, politeness, certainty
can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must, ought to, have to (semi-modal)
She can speak three languages. (ability)
You must finish this by tomorrow. (obligation)
"It might rain later." (possibility)
"Would you help me with this?" (polite request)
She can swim. (present ability)
When I was 10, I could swim far. (past ability)
"I can speak three languages fluently."
Can I leave early? (informal)
Could I leave early? (more polite)
"Students can use calculators during the exam."
It can get noisy. (general possibility)
That could be true. (less certain)
"Temperatures in the desert could drop below freezing at night."
It may/might rain later (might = lower probability)
"The economy may improve next year."
"She might not come to the party."
May I come in?
"May I ask a question?"
"May we proceed with the presentation?"
That may be challenging.
"I might suggest a different approach."
"This solution may not be ideal for everyone."
Used to express future actions or states
"I will call you tomorrow."
Shows agreement or voluntary action
"Don't worry, I'll help you move this weekend."
Would is used to make polite requests and offers
"Would you mind opening the window?"
Would expresses conditional results and imaginary situations
"I would travel more if I had time."
Used for offers and suggestions (mainly in British English)
"Shall we dance?" (offering/suggesting an activity)
"Shall I open the window for you?" (offering help)
Expresses advice, recommendation, or expectation
"You should see a doctor about that cough." (advice)
"The train should arrive by 6 pm." (expectation)
"Shall" appears in legal/official documents to indicate obligation
"The parties shall maintain confidentiality." (legal requirement)
Internal/strong obligation (speaker's authority or conviction)
"You must wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle."
"I must finish this report by tomorrow."
External requirement (rules, laws, circumstances)
"I have to submit the form by Friday." (company policy)
"She has to take the train because her car broke down."
"Must" for logical conclusion with strong certainty
"The lights are on. He must be home now."
"You've been working for 10 hours. You must be exhausted!"
You ought to apologize.
"We ought to consider the environmental impact of our decisions."
Slightly stronger/formal than 'should'
"You should help your brother." (advice)
"You ought to help your brother." (stronger moral obligation)
ought not to (oughtn't to)
"You ought not to speak to your teacher that way."
"They oughtn't to have left without saying goodbye."
| Certainty Level | Modal Verbs | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 100% Certainty | must | "She must be at home now." (deduction) Strong certainty based on available evidence |
| 80-90% Certainty | should / ought to | "They should arrive by 5 pm." High probability but not absolute certainty |
| 50-70% Certainty | will / would / may | "It will probably rain tomorrow." "That may be correct." Moderate probability or likelihood |
| < 50% Certainty | might / could | "He might come to the party." "It could rain later." Lower possibility or potential |
| Impossibility | can't / couldn't | "That can't be true!" "He couldn't have finished already." Expresses that something is not possible |
Can you send the file?
Most direct form - common in casual conversations and everyday workplace communication.
Could you send the file?
More polite than "can" - suggests you're asking for a favor rather than making a demand.
Would you mind sending the file?
Significantly more formal - often used in professional emails and when speaking to superiors.
May I request the file?
Highest level of formality - appropriate for very formal situations and official correspondence.
Mustn't (prohibition) = not allowed to do something
Don't have to (no necessity) = allowed not to do something
"You mustn't enter this area." (forbidden)
"You don't have to come if you're busy." (optional)
Expresses impossibility or strong belief something is not true
"That can't be true." (I strongly believe it isn't true)
"He couldn't have finished already." (It's impossible)
Expresses advice against something or mild obligation not to do
"You shouldn't skip meals." (It's not good for your health)
"Children shouldn't stay up late." (It's not advisable)
He can to swim very fast.
He can swim very fast.
Modal verbs are followed directly by the base form of the main verb (without 'to').
She doesn't must go to the meeting.
She doesn't have to go to the meeting. / She mustn't go to the meeting.
"Doesn't have to" means no obligation (not necessary); "mustn't" means prohibition (not allowed).
He will comes to the party tomorrow.
He will come to the party tomorrow.
Modal verbs are always followed by the base form of the verb, never an inflected form (-s, -ed, -ing).
12 tenses + timelines, signals, sequencing
| Time Period | Simple | Continuous | Perfect | Perfect Continuous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Present | Present Simple I work Facts, routines, habits |
Present Continuous I am working Actions in progress now |
Present Perfect I have worked Past actions with present relevance |
Present Perfect Continuous I have been working Ongoing action started in past until now |
| Past | Past Simple I worked Completed actions in the past |
Past Continuous I was working Action in progress at a past time |
Past Perfect I had worked Action completed before another past action |
Past Perfect Continuous I had been working Ongoing action before another past action |
| Future | Future Simple I will work Actions or states in the future |
Future Continuous I will be working Action in progress at future time |
Future Perfect I will have worked Action completed before future time |
Future Perfect Continuous I will have been working Ongoing action before future time |
I work at a university.
(routines, habits, general truths, permanent situations)
I am working on a project right now.
(actions happening now, temporary situations, future arrangements)
I have worked on many projects.
(past → present result, experience, recent actions, unfinished time periods)
I have been working on this project for three months.
(duration to now, emphasis on continuity, temporary situations up to now)
I worked at a university last year.
(completed actions in the past, sequence of events, habits in the past)
I was working when you called.
(actions in progress at a specific time in the past, background actions)
I had worked there before I moved to London.
(past before past, actions completed before another past event)
I had been working on the project for six months before it was canceled.
(duration before a time in the past, emphasis on continuity up to a past point)
I will work / am going to work on this project.
(predictions, decisions, plans, promises, offers)
This time tomorrow, I will be working on the presentation.
(actions in progress at a specific future time, predicted activities)
By next month, I will have worked here for five years.
(actions completed before a specific future time, looking back from future point)
By June, I will have been working on this project for a year.
(duration up to a future point, emphasizes ongoing process and duration)
| Type | Present | Past | Future |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Habits, facts |
S + V(s) + O I work every day. |
S + V(ed/2) + O I worked yesterday. |
S + will/be going to + V + O I will work tomorrow. |
| Continuous In progress |
S + am/is/are + V-ing I am working now. |
S + was/were + V-ing I was working at 5pm. |
S + will be + V-ing I will be working at 8pm. |
| Perfect Completed |
S + have/has + V(ed/3) I have worked here since 2020. |
S + had + V(ed/3) I had worked before they arrived. |
S + will have + V(ed/3) I will have worked 10 hours by 6pm. |
| Perfect Continuous Duration |
S + have/has been + V-ing I have been working for 3 hours. |
S + had been + V-ing I had been working for 3 hours when they called. |
S + will have been + V-ing I will have been working for 10 hours by then. |
I am knowing the answer to that question.
I know the answer to that question.
Stative verbs (know, believe, love, have) typically don't take continuous forms as they describe states rather than actions.
He didn't went to the meeting yesterday.
He didn't go to the meeting yesterday.
With auxiliary "did/didn't," use the base form of the verb (not past tense) as "did" already indicates past time.
I live here since 2019.
I have lived here since 2019.
Use present perfect (not simple present) with "since" and "for" to describe actions starting in the past and continuing to the present.
The Rule:
When converting direct speech to reported speech with a past reporting verb, tenses typically move one step back in time
Tense Changes:
Examples:
"I am tired" → He said (that) he was tired.
"We have finished" → They told me they had finished.
"I went there yesterday" → She said she had gone there the day before.
The Rule:
Maintain consistent tense throughout a narrative unless there's a logical reason to shift
Key Principles:
Exception: Universal Truths
Universal truths and facts may remain in present tense even in past narratives:
She explained that the Earth revolves around the Sun.
The professor wrote that water boils at 100°C.
Choose tense/aspect for time + completeness; choose modal for stance. When confused about which form to use, identify your purpose first: are you describing when something happens (tense), or your attitude toward it (mood/modal)?
Thank you for exploring the world of verbs, mood, modals, and tenses with us. We hope this presentation enhances your understanding of English grammar.
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