Advanced Grammar & Punctuation Project

University of California, Irvine

International Programs

Offered through Coursera

Instructors: Emily Ellis - Nicole Jacobs - Brad Gilpin - Tamy Chapman

Verb Tenses

Diagram Tenses Clause Structures Punctuation Conjunctions Transitions
Past Simple

Simple Past

Completed action at a definite past time.

Tense Verb Phrase

Complete Professional Sentence Pattern

Professional Example

Tense Structure

Time

Past, Present, Future

Aspect

Simple, Progressive, Perfect, Perfect Progressive

Formula

Time + Aspect = Tense Form

Note

Tense is formed by combining time (past, present, future) with aspect (simple, progressive, perfect, perfect progressive). This structure allows speakers to express not only when an action occurs, but also whether it is ongoing, completed, or connected to another point in time.

Verb Tenses

Diagram Tenses Clause Structures Punctuation Conjunctions Transitions