Page 95 - Just Enough English Grammar Illustrated Book

Yesterday: Past Tense

In the past tense, “was” and “were” represent the verb
forms of the linking verb “to be” used as a main verb.

Main Verb to be We were very
hungry last night.
I was
I was
you were very hungry
he was, she was, it was last night.
we were
you were
they were

In the first example, hungry describes the subject Jake. The
second example uses hungry again to describe the subject we.
Last night, a time indicator, refers to a past action as expressed
by the verbs was and were.

4.13 Non-Action Verb To Have as Main Verb

The helping verb to have can also act as a main verb. When
used alone, it names what the subject owns or holds.

Today: Present Tense Yesterday: Present Perfect
I‘ve
I have a studied Helping Verb to have
brother. hard.
I’ve
Main Verb to have you’ve
he has, she has, it has studied
I have
you have we’ve
he has, she has, it has you’ve
we have they’ve
you have The verb form have
they have uses the common
contraction of ’ve.
Have and has are forms Have and has are forms of the
of the main verb to have. helping verb to have, which is
Contractions for have as combined with the main verb,
a main verb are not usually in this case, studied.
used in the present tense.

In the present tense, “have” and “has” are
the main verb forms of “to have.”

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