Verbs are inflected to show present and past time. Future time is generally shown by the use of a verb phrase.

Present Tense

The verb forms that usually express present time are said to be in the present tense.

These forms sometimes show all time; thus, The earth is a sphere.

Past Tense

The forms that usually express past time are said to be in the past tense.

Exercise 247. Development

Assert the present happiness of yourself. Assert the present happiness of yourself and some one else. What verb did you use forms of?

Assert praising as a present act of Mary, using only a form of the verb praise. Assert it as a present act of Mary and Anna, using only a form of the same verb. Compare the verb forms used.

Assert praising as a past act of yourself, using only a form of the verb praise. Assert it as a past act of yourself and others, using only a form of the verb praise. You see that the same form of the verb is used in both cases.