Verb Tense, Aspect, Mood Discussion

Verb Feature

What is it?

Examples

Sentence Examples

1. Tense

Any form of a verb that shows when an action or state happens or exists.

• past

• present

• future

• She talked

• She talks.

• She will talk

2. Aspect

Verbal aspect shows the timing of the verb or whether the action happens in a single block of time, continuously, or repetitively. 

*All verbs have both tense and aspect.

• simple

• continuous (progressive)

• perfect

• perfect continuous (progressive)

• She talks. (present simple)

• She is talking. (present continuous)

• She has talked. (present perfect)

• She has been talking. (present perfect continuous)

3. Mood

This shows the speaker's or writer's attitude about their ideas.

• indicative (factual statements)

• imperative (commands, prohibitions, requests)

• subjunctive (imaginary situations, wishes)

• She talks. (any tense/aspect combination)

• Let's talk! Don't shout!

• She could talk faster