Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

subject               predicate

Josh | 

might need

to leave early

.

Verb phrases: tensed and non-tensed forms

159b

Verb phrases are either tensed or non-tensed. Tensed verb phrases show contrasts

in tense. They also show contrasts in number and person:

She 

works hard now but she worked even harder during the whole year.

(contrast in tense: works/worked)

He’s too old but we’re not. 

(contrast in number and person: singular/plural; 3rd person/1st person)

Non-tensed forms of the verb are: 

● the base form (e.g. work) used as the imperative form (Come on! Work!) or 

as the subjunctive (They insisted she work the same hours as everyone else.)

(

Û

229

)

● the infinitive with to (e.g. she tried to work)

● the -ing form (she’s working)

● the -ed participle (she has worked)

The time references of non-tensed verb phrases are understood in terms of the

time references of main-clause verbs:

Exercising every day, he still did not lose weight. 

(past reference understood from did)

Attracted by low prices, tourists flock to the islands every year.

(present reference understood from flock)

To be there for eight o’clock we’ll have to leave at about six. 

(future reference understood from modal ’ll)