VERB TENSES

In English, the Verb Tenses are divided between Present, Past and Future.
Each of them has different subcategories. Take a look at the chart below and
analyze the examples.

Main Uses in Business

Tense Structure Example Context

He sells products online.

He doesn’t sell products

online.
Subject + Base Verb
Describing facts, routines,
Simple Does he sell products general truths, and ongoing
Present Auxiliar: DO/ DOES online? situations.

They are working on a

new project.

They aren’t working on a

Subject + am/is/are + Verb + - new project.
ing

Present Are they working on a new Describing ongoing actions

Continuous “Auxiliar”: Am/is/are project? and plans for the near future.

She completed the report

yesterday.

Subject + Past Verb (-ed for She didn’t complete the

regular verbs, table of verbs for report yesterday.
the irregular ones)

Did she complete the Talking about completed

Simple Past Auxiliar: DID report yesterday? actions in the past.
 Main Uses in Business
Tense Structure Example Context

We were discussing the

proposal at the meeting.

We weren’t discussing
Subject + was/were + Verb + - proposal at the meeting.
ing
Describing actions in
Past Were we discussing the progress at a specific point in
Continuous ‘Auxiliar’: was/were proposal at the meeting? the past.

They have finished the

task already.

They haven’t finished the

task yet.

Referring to actions or events

Present Subject + have/has + Past Have they finished the that have an effect on the
Perfect Participle task already? present.

He had already left when I

arrived.

He hadn’t left yet when I

arrived.

Had he already left when Expressing the order of past

Past Perfect Subject + had + Past Participle you arrived? events or actions.

Future (will) Subject + will + Base Verb
Negative: will + not (won’t)
She will start the Making predictions,
presentation at 2 p.m. promises, and decisions
about the future.
She won’t start the
 Main Uses in Business
Tense Structure Example Context

presentation at 2pm.

Will she start the

presentation at 2pm?

They are going to launch

a new product next month.

They aren’t going to

launch a new product next
month.

Expressing intentions, plans,

Future (going Subject + am/is/are + going to + Are they going to launch a and future events with
to) Base Verb new product next month? evidence.

We will be working late

tonight.

We won’t be working late

tonight.

Describing actions that will

Future Will we be working late be in progress at a future
Continuous Subject + will + be + Verb + -ing tonight? time.

Future Perfect Subject + will + have + Past By next year, he will have Referring to actions that will
Participle completed his MBA. be completed before a future
point.

By next year, he won’t

have completed his MBA.
 Main Uses in Business
Tense Structure Example Context

Will he have completed

his MBA by next year?

Now, let’s try some exercises.

A) Complete the sentences with the verbs in brackets in the correct

Verb Tense

1. The team __________ (work) on the project since morning.

2. She usually __________ (arrive) at the office at 8 AM.
3. By the end of this month, we __________ (complete) the sales report.
4. Our company __________ (expand) into international markets next
year.
5. I'm sorry, but I __________ (not finish) the presentation yet.
6. They __________ (discuss) the contract when the client called.
7. He __________ (already leave) the meeting when I arrived.
8. We __________ (have) several successful product launches this year.
9. By the time you get back, we __________ (prepare) for the meeting.
10. She __________ (always respond) to emails promptly.
11.The CEO __________ (give) a presentation at the conference next
week.
12.They __________ (not start) the project until they receive the funds.
13.I'm confident that we __________ (reach) our quarterly sales target.
14.Our team __________ (work) late tonight to meet the deadline.
15.The new department head __________ (take) charge last month.
16.The marketing team __________ (develop) a new advertising
campaign.
17.By the end of the year, we __________ (complete) the merger process.
18.The company __________ (announce) its financial results tomorrow.
19.I believe our company __________ (succeed) in the global market.
20.She __________ (not attend) the training sessions regularly.
B) Make sentences in different Verb Tenses with the sentences
below. If possible, use situations of your day-by-day routine

1. Launch a new product.

2. Secure a major contract.
3. Expand into a new market.
4. Reach a sales milestone.
5. Complete a successful merger.
6. Develop a groundbreaking technology.
7. Achieve a record-breaking profit margin.
8. Open a new branch or office location.
9. Form strategic partnerships.
10. Implement cost-saving measures.
11. Win industry awards.
12. Increase market share.
13. Improve customer satisfaction ratings.
14. Establish a strong online presence.
15. Hire top talent for key positions.
16. Launch a successful marketing campaign.
17. Achieve ISO certification.
18. Reduce carbon emissions through sustainability initiatives.
19. Create a popular and innovative product line.
20. Receive positive media coverage.

C) Read the email below, highlight examples of different Verb Tense

and explain why it was used

Dear Team,

I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to inform you about the
upcoming project kickoff meeting, which is scheduled for next week. We
have been preparing for this project for several months, and I am
confident that it will be a great success.
During the meeting, we will discuss the project's objectives, timeline,
and responsibilities. Our team has already completed the initial
research phase, and we have gathered valuable insights into the market
trends. Furthermore, we have identified potential challenges that we
may encounter during the project.
In preparation for the meeting, I have attached the project proposal that
we have been working on. Please take a look at it before the meeting so
 that we can have a productive discussion. If you have any questions or
suggestions, don't hesitate to reach out to me.
After the meeting, we will be working closely with the marketing
department to create a comprehensive marketing plan. By the end of
the month, we will have finalized the plan and will begin implementing it.
I believe that our combined efforts will lead to a successful project
outcome.
I look forward to our collaboration on this exciting project. If you need
any further information or assistance, please feel free to contact me.

Best regards

Write the sentences and the explanation here

D) Rewrite the dialogue below using the correct verb tenses

Colleague 1: Hey, have you had a chance to review the new business
plan?
Colleague 2: Yes, I have. It looks promising. The marketing team has done
an excellent job.
Colleague 1: I agree. They've been working really hard on it. By the way,
when did you meet with the client last week?
Colleague 2: I met with them on Wednesday. We discussed the proposal,
and they seemed interested.
Colleague 1: That's great news. I hope they decide to move forward with
our proposal.
Colleague 2: Me too. If they do, we'll need to start implementing the plan
immediately.
Colleague 1: Absolutely. I think we should begin by reaching out to
potential suppliers.
Colleague 2: Agreed. I'll get in touch with them this afternoon.
 E) Choose one of the scenarios below and write a dialogue using
different Verb Tenses

a) Discussing a Project Timeline

Scenario: A project manager discussing the timeline of a new project with the
project team.

b) Making a Sales Pitch

Scenario: A salesperson pitching a product or service to a potential client.

c) Negotiating a Contract
Scenario: Two business representatives from different companies are negotiating
the terms of a contract.

ANSWER SHEET
Exercise A
1 – is working
2 – arrives
3 – will have completed
4 – will expand
5 – haven’t finished
6 – were discussing
7 – had already left
8 – will have/ are going to have
9 – will have prepared
10 – always answers
11 – will give
12 – won’t start
13 – will reach/ are going to reach
14 – worked
15 – took
16 – developed/ will develpo
17 – will have completed
18 – will announce/ is going to announce
19 – succeeded in the global market
20 – doesn’t attend/ hasn’t attended
_________________________________________________________________________

Exercise B
Students’ answers
_________________________________________________________________________

Exercise C
Students’ answers
_________________________________________________________________________

Exercise D
Colleague 1: Hey, did you have a chance to review the new business
plan?
Colleague 2: Yes, I did. It looks promising. The marketing team did an
excellent job.
Colleague 1: I agree. They worked really hard on it. By the way, when did
you meet with the client last week?
Colleague 2: I met with them on Wednesday. We discussed the proposal,
and they seemed interested.
Colleague 1: That's great news. I hope they decide to move forward with
our proposal.
Colleague 2: Me too. If they do, we need to start implementing the plan
immediately.
Colleague 1: Absolutely. I think we should begin by reaching out to
potential suppliers.
Colleague 2: Agreed. I'll get in touch with them this afternoon.
______________________________________________________________

Exercise E
Students’ answers