Unit 8: Tense Parser
Learning Objectives
- Identify the tense (past, present, future) of verbs in a sentence
- Recognise perfect, passive, and continuous aspects
- Read annotated verb tokens to understand tense marking in English
Tense and Aspect in English
English verb forms encode not just tense (when something happens) but also aspect (how the action unfolds over time). Understanding both is essential for accurate reading and writing.
There are three main tenses combined with three aspects, producing twelve possible forms:
Aspects: Simple • Perfect • Continuous (Progressive)
The tool in this unit colour-codes each verb in your sentence and labels it with its tense and aspect combination.
Tense and Aspect Overview
Expand each aspect to see how it combines with tense.
| Tense | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Past Simple | verb + -ed / irregular | She wrote the report. |
| Present Simple | verb (base form) | She writes every day. |
| Future Simple | will + infinitive | She will write tomorrow. |
| Tense | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Past Perfect | had + past participle | She had written the report before he arrived. |
| Present Perfect | have/has + past participle | She has written three chapters. |
| Future Perfect | will have + past participle | She will have written it by Friday. |
| Tense | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Past Continuous | was/were + -ing | She was writing when he called. |
| Present Continuous | am/is/are + -ing | She is writing now. |
| Future Continuous | will be + -ing | She will be writing all morning. |
Tool: Tense Parser
Enter any English sentence. Click Analyse to see each verb colour-coded with its tense and aspect label displayed above the word.
Try: "She had been working for hours before she finally finished the report."
Verbs are highlighted in orange with their tense label shown above. Non-verb words appear without annotation.
Check Your Understanding
What tense and aspect is 'had finished'?
Which sentence contains a Present Continuous verb?
What does 'aspect' refer to in English grammar?
Watch
Video coming soon
Review
| Aspect | Past | Present | Future |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple | wrote | writes | will write |
| Perfect | had written | has written | will have written |
| Continuous | was writing | is writing | will be writing |
| Perfect continuous | had been writing | has been writing | will have been writing |
Passive constructions (e.g., was written, has been approved) are labelled with "Passive" as a prefix: e.g., Passive Past or Passive Present Perfect. The tool detects been and being as signals of passive voice.
Proceed to Unit 9: Articles when ready.