The verbal group: tenses

Subject


Verbal group (Passive) Adjunct
We put the object in subject position and change the verbal group to a passive form. In
this example we have left out the person who did the action but we could have left him
in:
The experiment will be finished by him in two days.
The choice of a passive form of the verb is very common in academic writing and
particularly in scientific writing.
Now let's go back to look at the structure of the verbal group in relation to tense. Here is
our general model again.
(finite operator)
^
(auxiliaries) ^
(main verb)
time or modal

have/be /be
When you are constructing your verbal groups you have to know the appropriate
combinations within this structure for each tense. Table 1 may help you with this. In
these tables a number of different verbs have been used to exemplify the elements of the
verbal group structure that would be used for each tense. If you know the tense you
want to use but you are unsure what elements should be included, refer to the table.
Please note that not every case can be shown. For example, there are other modal
operators that we have not been able to include.
✪

Exercise 2
In the following examples mark the ones with the
correct
form of the tense. Make sure it
agrees with the Subject!

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Basic English Grammar Module: Unit 2B. Independent Learning Resources
© Learning Centre University of Sydney. This Unit may be copied for individual student use.
8
a)
Simple present tense
i)
ecosystems are consist of two parts
ii)
ecosystems consist of two parts
iii)
ecosystems is consist of two parts
iv)
ecosystems are consisting of two parts
b)
Simple past tense
i)
James Cook first arrived in Australia in 1770
ii)
James Cook was first arrived in Australia in 1770
iii)
James Cook was first arrive in Australia in 1770
iv)
James Cook first was arrive in Australia in 1770
c)
Past passive
i)
the experiments were conduct in the laboratory
ii)
the experiments were conducted in the laboratory
iii)
the experiments were being conduct in the laboratory
iv)
the experiments was being conducted in the laboratory
d)
Present perfect passive
i)
it suggested that lipids form in the arterial wall
ii)
it is suggested that lipids form in the arterial wall
iii)
it has suggested that lipids form in the arterial wall
iv)
it has been suggested that lipids form in the arterial wall
e)
Present continuous
i)
they is determining the levels now
ii)
they determine the levels now
iii)
they are determining the levels now
iv)
they determine the levels now
f)
Past perfect passive
i)
in the second trial it was noticed that a culture plate been contaminated
ii)
in the second trial it was noticed that a culture plate had been contaminated
iii)
in the second trial it was noticed that a culture plate has contaminated
iv)
in the second trial it was noticed that a culture plate had being contaminated
g)
Past continuous
i)
they were doing this type of procedure in the 1890s
ii)
they are doing this type of procedure in the 1890s
iii)
they were done this type of procedure in the 1890s
iv)
they were doing this type of procedure in the 1890s

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