Important Verb Tenses

Let’s talk about important tenses tested in the SAT.

1. Simple Present

a) Simple Present is used to show facts or something (action or event) that happens regularly.

I run to school every day.

Michael Jackson is one of the greatest musicians.

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet portrays the theme of love. b) Simple Present can also be used to express the future.

I have a test tomorrow.

The library closes at 11 pm.

I hope you receive the admission letter from that college.

Sometimes, the given paragraph in a verb tense question talks about the future, but no future tense answer choices are given. In this case, look for a simple present tense answer choice and check if it can be used to express the future. This concept is often tested in the SAT. The use of present tense to express future time is often used with the modifier beginning with “when.” When you will hear from him, please let me know. (x)

When you hear from him, please let me know. 2. Present Perfect (has / have + pp) There are three different usages of present perfect tense (the second and the third usage are more important for the SAT and the ACT)

a) Used for unspecific past

I have seen snow.

I have studied.

b) To show an action that began in the past and continues in the present

I have been married to Jane for six years.

I have loved her since 2008.

c) To show an action that began in the past and FINISHES in the present.

Scientists have long believed that X influences Y. The recent theory, however, suggests otherwise.

When present perfect tense is required, there is usually a word or phrase that signals for present perfect tense. Signal Words: for, since, over, from People have studied the meaning of life since the beginning of time. I have played the violin for 8 years. Over the last 3 years, I have prepared for a test. From the moment I saw you, I have respected you. 3. Simple Past Simple past is used to show a finished event in the past. Specific date or time generally requires a simple past tense. I saw snow yesterday. During World War 1, the government changed many policies. In 1923, people drank some weird beverages.

4. Past Perfect (had + pp)

*The SAT and the ACT rarely test this tense, but it is still important. Past Perfect is used to show which event happened first when there are other past events.

I didn't have a pencil because Jack had stolen mine. Which event happened first? Did I lose the pencil first or did Jack steal my pencil before that? In this sentence, the first event is Jack stealing the pencil as indicated by the past perfect tense "had stolen."

Like Present Perfect tense, Past Perfect tense also has a common signal word Signal word: by

By 1980, he had graduated from college

By the time I arrived, he had left.

5. Would vs. Will The helping verb "would" has many usages. But, in the SAT and the ACT, only the first one is important. a) Would + verb "Would" is the past form of the helping verb "will," expressing future events in past tense.

I will become the best scientist. vs. Yesterday, I said that I would become the best scientist.

*Remember, even though "would + verb" is talking about the future, it is still a past tense. b) Would + have + pp Would is also used with “have + pp” to create conditional sentence (IF clause)

If you had asked, I would have answered.

*would +have +pp has appeared as an answer choice frequently but has never been the answer in any of the official practice tests. Still, when taking the SAT (or the ACT), make sure to check whether the sentence is making a condition.