THE THREE BASIC TENSES

Tense

Meaning

Form

Example

Present

Something happens
now.

Add 's' or 'es' when
used with singular
nouns or with he,
she, it.
No ending when
used with plural
nouns or with I, you
we, they.

The audience applauds.


They applaud.

Past

Something happened
in the past.

Add 'd' or 'ed' to
present tense.

They applauded.

Future

Something will
happen.

Add a helping
verb will or shall
to present tense

The audience will enjoy
the show.
I shall enjoy the show.

Edit the following sentences to correct all errors in verb usage.

1.

When the Europeans arrived in Canada, the Aboriginal people are eager to trade goods.

2.

Nowadays, our skills and practices made it easy to circulate goods and ideas anywhere in the world.

3.

During the next decade, many more Aboriginal governments did emerge from existing band councils.

4.

The last known survivor of the Beothuk Nation is a woman named Shawnadithit who died in 1829.

5.

Millions of years ago, glaciers cover parts of North America.

6.

Most people do not hunt for a living, but they did supplement their food supplies with wild game when they can.

7.

The government also takes land away from reserves when it was needed for other purposes.

8.

In the past, Native people who became doctors or lawyers lose their treaty status.

9.

Today, the dominance of English was the biggest threat to Native languages.

10.

Before the introduction of the rifle, big game hunting usually requires the participation of the whole tribe.

11.

Although digging Seneca roots was a seasonal occupation, it supplements some families' yearly incomes.

12.

In the late 1500's, European markets demand more fur than what was available.