The ability to demonstrate control over verb tenses is a key part of performing well in the writing section of the CAEL Assessment. The following chart shows examples of the most common verb tenses you are likely to use in your academic writing. Review this chart and use it to help you work on the exercises in 3-3 Control of Verb Tenses in the Student Resource section.

Past Present Future

Simple past:

  • The meteorologist predicted light precipitation.
  • This study demonstrated the health benefits of green tea.

Simple present:

  • The meteorologist predicts light precipitation.
  • This study demonstrates the health benefits of green tea.

Simple future:

  • The meteorologist will predict light precipitation.
  • This study will demonstrate the health benefits of green tea.

Past perfect:

  • The meteorologist had predicted light precipitation.
  • This study had demonstrated the health benefits of green tea.

Present perfect:

  • The meteorologist has predicted light precipitation.
  • This study has demonstrated the health benefits of green tea.

Future perfect:

  • The meteorologist will have predicted light precipitation.
  • This study will have demonstrated the health benefits of green tea.

Past progressive:

  • The meteorologist was predicting light precipitation.
  • This study was demonstrating the health benefits of green tea.

Present progressive:

  • The meteorologist is predicting light precipitation.
  • This study is demonstrating the health benefits of green tea.

Future progressive:

  • The meteorologist will be predicting light precipitation.
  • This study will be demonstrating the health benefits of green tea.

Exercise

Open the Student Resources to begin the activity. Follow the instructions in the document.

keyboard_arrow_up