Mastering the right forms of verbs is essential for understanding English grammar rules, sentence structure, and syntax. This comprehensive guide breaks down 26 crucial rules and examples to help you choose the correct verb forms accurately in any sentence.
Objectives
After the completion of this unit, you would be able to —
learn the right forms of verbs.
explain the rules of the right forms of verbs.
use the right forms of verbs.
Right Forms of Verbs
The verb is the most important component of a sentence. It is found that the verb may take different forms, such as present simple, past simple, present participle, past participle, bare infinitive, to infinitive, gerund, etc. From among these various forms of verbs, it is very important to choose the right one in the appropriate place to make the sentence meaningful. In order to choose the right forms of verbs, certain rules should be remembered.
Following are some of the important rules for using the right forms of verbs:
1. Present Indefinite Tense with Habitual Words
If a sentence contains always, regularly, sometimes, often, generally, daily, everyday, occasionally, usually, normally, etc. without any mention of time, then the verbs will be in the present indefinite tense.
For example,
He always speaks in the class. She takes fast food daily.
My father reads the Daily Star every morning. I take exercise regularly.
2. Universal Truth and Habitual Facts
If a sentence expresses universal truth, habitual fact, the verb will be in the present indefinite tense.
For example,
The sun sets in the west.
Light removes darkness.
Everybody fears death.
Ill news spreads fast.
3. Present Continuous Tense for Ongoing Actions
If any work is continuing at present, then the verb becomes present continuous. The words now, at present, at this moment, etc. may be present in the sentence.
For example,
She is singing now.
They are watching television at this moment.
I am driving at this moment.
4. Past Participle Form After Have Verbs
If an active sentence contains has, have, had, then the verb will be in the past participle form.
For example,
He has finished his M.A. in English.
The teacher has punished the students.
I have visited the national museum.
5. Present Perfect Tense Indicators
If a sentence contains just, just now, already, yet, ever, lately, recently, etc., then the verb will be in the present perfect tense.
For example,
I have visited my village home recently. He has just left the office.
I have not taken my breakfast yet.
His father has died recently.
6. Past Form with Past Time Indicators
If a sentence contains the words indicating past time, such as yesterday, ago, long since, last night, etc., then the verb will be in the past form.
For example,
The man came here yesterday.
I went to my village home last week.
They lived here long since.
The police arrested the criminal last night.
7. Past Continuous Tense for Past Ongoing Actions
If any action was continuing in the past, the verb will be in the past continuous tense.
He was then eating.
I was reading at that time.
8. Rules for No Sooner Had and Similar Structures
If a sentence contains No sooner had …. than, scarcely had when, hardly had before, etc., then the first verb will be in the past participle form and the second verb will be in the past form.
For example,
No sooner had he seen the police than he ran away.
No sooner had we reached the station than the train ran away.
9. How to Use Verbs with 'Since' (Rule 1)
A sentence containing ‘since’: If the first part of ‘since’ is present indefinite or present perfect tense, then the next part will be past indefinite.
For example,
It is many years since I came to Dhaka. Many years have passed since his father died.
10. How to Use Verbs with 'Since' (Rule 2)
If the first part of ‘since’ is past indefinite tense, then the next part becomes past perfect.
For example,
It was many years since they had first met.
It was long since I had seen her last.
11. Using Verbs with 'Before' in Past Tense
A sentence containing ‘before’: If the first part of ‘before’ is past perfect, then the next part becomes past indefinite.
For example,
I had finished my home work before father came home.
The teacher had started the class before I came.
The patient had died before the doctor came.
12. Using Verbs with 'After' in Past Tense
A sentence containing ‘after’: If the first part of ‘after’ is past indefinite tense, then the next part will be past perfect.
For example,
The teacher started the class after I had come.
The patient died after the doctor had come.
13. Grammar Rules for Using 'While'
If verb comes just after ‘while’, then the verb will take ‘ing’ with it. But if verb comes after ‘while + subject’, then the verb will be in the past continuous tense.
For example,
While he was walking along the road, a snake bit him.
While going to school, I saw a snake.
Don’t gossip while reading.
14. Verbs After 'To Be' and 'Having'
The main verb after ‘to be’ and ‘having’ takes past participle form.
For example,
He ran away having taken the money.
The chairman ordered the notice to be hung.
15. Future Perfect Tense with Time Phrases
If a sentence contains by this time, by morning, by Sunday, etc., then the verb of the sentence will be in the future perfect tense.
For example,
I will have finished the book by June 2017.
They will have reached by this time.
He will have returned by Monday next.
16. Future Indefinite Tense Indicators
If a sentence contains tomorrow, next month, coming year, etc., then the verb of the sentence will be in the future indefinite tense.
For example,
Our final examination will begin tomorrow.
I shall leave for Dhaka tomorrow.
We shall visit the zoo next week.
17. Simple Sentences with Two Verbs
If a simple sentence contains two verbs, then the 2nd verb will take ‘ing’ or ‘to’ before it or will take the past participle form.
For example,
He got the work done.
I saw him running.
I want to go now.
18. Verbs Following Modals and Special Expressions
Had better, had rather, would better, would rather, let, must, need, dare, etc. are followed by the present forms of verb and if there is ‘to’ before that verb, then the ‘to’ is omitted.
For example,
You need not help me.
You had better leave the class.
I won’t let you go now.
We would rather follow the direction of our teacher.
19. Verbs After 'It is high time' and Similar Phrases
The verb after it is high time, it is time, wish, fancy, etc. will be in the past form. For example,
I fancy I got a car.
It is high time we did the work.
I wish I went there.
It is time you studied hard.
20. Transforming 'To Be' Verbs After 'As though' and 'Wish'
After as though, as if, wish, etc. the ‘to be verb’ transforms into ‘were’.
For example,
I wish I were a king.
She talks as if she were a mad.
He speaks as though he were president.
21. Tense Sequences with 'As though' and 'As if'
If the first part of ‘as though/as if’ is present indefinite, then the next part will be past indefinite. But if the first part is past indefinite, the next part will be past perfect.
For example,
He speaks as though he knew everything.
She behaved as though she had not learned any manner.
22. Principal Verbs After Modal Auxiliaries
The principal verbs take present forms after modal auxiliaries.
For example,
One should not waste one’s time.
He could run fast.
I would help the poor.
23. Causative Verbs and Past Participles
If have, has, had, got, etc. work as causative verb in sentence, then the verb after them will be past participle.
For example,
I got the work done.
I had my house painted.
I have my clothes washed by the boy.
24. Active vs. Passive Forms with 'To Be' Verbs
The verb after am, is, are, was, were takes ‘ing’ in active form, but it will be in the past participle in passive form.
For example,
He is doing the work.
The work is done by him.
The boys were playing football.
The letter was written by his friend.
25. Sentence Structure Containing 'Lest'
If a sentence contains ‘lest’, then the subject takes should/might after it.
He ran fast lest he should miss the train.
She studied hard lest she might fail in the examination.
26. Words Followed by the 'ING' Form
A given verb takes ‘ing’ form after the following words: mind, worth, without, past, cannot help, could not help, with a view to, look forward to, would you mind, get used to, etc.
For example,
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
I went to Dhaka with a view to meeting one of my friends.
The idea is worth considering.
I believe you would not mind visiting your home.
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Key Takeaways
- Verbs change forms based on tense indicators, time phrases, and specific conjunctions like 'since', 'before', and 'after'.
- Modal auxiliaries and specific expressions like 'had better' or 'it is high time' dictate specific verb forms.
- Understanding active and passive voice rules helps determine whether to use 'ing' or past participle forms.
- For further practice, explore Examples of Right Forms of Verbs.
Quick Practice
Test your understanding of these grammar rules by dropping your answers in the comments below:
- Complete the sentence using the correct verb form: "He always ______ (speak) the truth in class."
- Choose the correct form: "No sooner had he ______ (see) the police than he ran away."
FAQ
What tense is used after habitual words like always or regularly?
Verbs take the present indefinite tense when sentences contain habitual words without any specific mention of time.
How do you use verbs after 'before' and 'after' in past tenses?
If the first part of 'before' is past perfect, the next part is past indefinite. Conversely, if the first part of 'after' is past indefinite, the next part is past perfect.
What form of the verb follows modal auxiliaries?
Principal verbs always take their present forms after modal auxiliaries.