ESOL Online Understanding Verb Tenses

ESOL Online Understanding Verb Tenses Daily ESOL Courses for Learning English: Marking Time with Tenses ChaptersBefore Delving into the TopicDoing it Like Other TonguesWhy Time Descriptions Are Not Needed in EnglishGetting Back to That DebateSome languages around the globe do not require verb tenses to show when an action happens. Nor do they demand a different verb form for each specific pronoun.Afrikaans, Scandinavian languages and Mandarin Chinese are just a few languages whose verbs do not change form, either in conjugation or for any tenses.Is your native language among those whose verb forms don't change, no matter the subject or the time the action occurred? If so, the need to constantly alter the verb when speaking and writing English must be bewildering, especially because there are several ways to mark time in the English language.We'd like to explore them with you.Time descriptors are not necessarily needed in English Source: Pixabay Credit GeraltRegardless of any possible ulterior motive, the one teaching English to you is absolutely correct: language nuance exists within t he context of what is written or being said.The information you can find  through context includes when actions happen, and the general tone or mood of the piece.We will discuss mood in our next section. Verb tenses are the best indicators of time in the English language.Consider the three simple tenses: past, present and future. Using one or the other to describe when an action happens provides the reader/listener with enough information to determine the timing of the action or event.Perhaps that is why so many people who are learning English as a foreign language content themselves with using only the three simple tenses.However, verb tenses go further to give a broader picture - more context.The progressive tenses indicate something currently happening (until the action was interrupted).The continuous tenses signal something ongoingThe perfect-progressive tenses give emphasis on the result of an action.Verb tenses help the speaker/listener give actions definitive time frames. Set ting the MoodIn English, verb constructions can be used to set a mood â€" a tone that gives further meaning to a sentence or paragraph.There are a total of five moods, but here, we focus on only one: the subjunctive mood.This type of phrasing is usually found in more formal English constructions. You might have read a sentence like this:To gain fluency in the language, it is recommended that the English learner practise speaking skills daily. Subjunctive mood uses: a dependent clause + passive voice + conjunction + independent clause (with modified verb, to suit the mood)Typically used verbs for this construction include: suggest, demand, insist, recommend, and ask.Can you write a subjunctive mood sentence?Learn more about English Grammar Clauses in our dedicated blog.A Note on Passive VoiceSubjunctive mood sentences include the use of a passive voice clause, as shown above. What is meant by passive voice?This sentence construction puts the focus of the phrase on the object, rather than on the subject.Today's English lesson was taught by Mr. Smith â€" passive voice.Standard English sentences call for focus on the subject, like so:Mr. Smith taught today's English lesson.Active voice is a much more direct way â€" the recommended way to express oneself in English.We will discuss passive voice in depth in our next Daily Dose of English Learning article.Getting Back to That DebateEarlier in this article, we mentioned that grammaticians of British and American English are hotly debating whether verbs in English actually use any tenses  at all.The general consensus seems to be that English only uses two tenses: past and present.English linguists are hotly debating whether the English language has verb tenses Source: Pixabay Credit: GeraltIn fact, that agreement extends to the belief that fewer than half of the world's languages actually use clearly defined tenses, as opposed to aspects.What does that matter to you, who is taking English courses in London? Not much, o ther than you will most likely have to recognize and identify verb tenses on any English test you take.Developing your English skills should be less a matter of books and theory, and more a proposition of speaking the language as much and as often as possible. Although an understanding of English grammar is most certainly important, it is not necessary to know every single aspect and rule in order to speak everyday English.In fact, the more you speak, the more the language constructs will naturally come to you, with no special effort on your part.To truly improve your English, we suggest that you focus on your English pronunciation and vocabulary, learn to use English words in proper context, develop strong writing skills and overall literacy, in addition to your grammar lessons.What mood is that sentence written in?If you don't have time to take face to face lessons you can also learn English online with a tutor.