ACT GRAMMAR
VERB TENSE RULES:
There are three time periods (present, past, and future) of verbs and six basic verb tenses (two forms of verbs for each time period). For Example, all of the constructions below are created out of three forms of the infinitive verb "to drink": drink (present), drank (past), and drunk (past participle).
PRESENT TIME PERIOD
Simple Present: They drink.
Present Perfect: They have drunk.
PAST TIME PERIOD
Simple Past: They drank.
Past Perfect: They had drunk.
FUTURE TIME PERIOD
Future: They will drink.
Future Perfect: They will have drunk.
Notice that some of the correct verb forms are created by adding helping verbs (versions of "to be” such as “have,” “has,” “had,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “will,” and “shall”).
PRESENT TIME PERIOD
Simple Present: They drink.
Present Perfect: They have drunk.
PAST TIME PERIOD
Simple Past: They drank.
Past Perfect: They had drunk.
FUTURE TIME PERIOD
Future: They will drink.
Future Perfect: They will have drunk.
Notice that some of the correct verb forms are created by adding helping verbs (versions of "to be” such as “have,” “has,” “had,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “will,” and “shall”).
RULE: Verbs in the same sentence or context should remain in the same tense (past, present, or future) except in rare cases where logic or quotations dictate otherwise.
EXAMPLES:
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