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VERB TENSE STRATEGIES FOB VERB TENSE ITEMS ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS:  Is there a time expression in the sentence? If so, does the verb tense agree with the meaning of the time expression? INCORRECT [I work in this department since 1994.] CORRECT I’ve worked in this department since 1994  Does the sentence have two clauses (an independent clause and a dependent clause)? If so, is the tense of the verb in the dependent clause correct? INCORRECT [Ms Martin tested the copying machine before she buys it.] CORRECT Ms Martin tested the copying machine before she bought it  Is the verb being used as a stative verb? That is, does it describe state rather than an action? If so, check to make sure the verb is not a progressive form (-ing) Note: Seem, know, and other verbs are always stative Become, be, and other verbs can describe a state or an action INCORRECT [I am understanding what he’s saying.] CORRECTI understand what he’s saying 1 When the messenger will you please give him this package? (A) will arrive (B) arrives (C) arriving (D) would arrive The assistant to Ms Brigham more responsible in the last year (A) is becoming (B) has been becoming (C) has become (D) becomes The Paris branch of our bank five years ago today (A) opens (B) has opened (C) opened (D) was opening The consultant the results of his recommendations by the end of the month (A) knows (B) does know (C) has known (D) will know My supervisor promises that I a raise next year (A) would get (B) should get (C) will get (D) get After you enough practice, it will be easy for you to (A) have had (B) will have (C) had (D) are having AFTER + S + V (PRESENT PERFECT), S + V (SIMPLE FUTURE) The boss for those reports all morning (A) is waiting (B) waits (C) has been waiting (D) will waiting I something very strange, like burning wires (A) am smelling (B) smell (C) smelling (D) had smelled You can take those files to the records room unless Kim it first (A) does (B) will (C) is doing (D) had done 10 We at that restaurant in a few months (A) don’t eat (B) won’t eat (C) haven’t eaten (D) didn’t eat THANK YOU! ...STRATEGIES FOB VERB TENSE ITEMS ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS:  Is there a time expression in the sentence? If so, does the verb tense agree with the meaning of the time... the verb being used as a stative verb? That is, does it describe state rather than an action? If so, check to make sure the verb is not a progressive form (-ing) Note: Seem, know, and other verbs... the sentence have two clauses (an independent clause and a dependent clause)? If so, is the tense of the verb in the dependent clause correct? INCORRECT [Ms Martin tested the copying machine before