Uses of English verb forms

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v t e

This article describes the uses of various verb forms in modern standard English language. This includes:

• Finite verb forms such as go, goes and went
• Nonfinite forms such as (to) go, going and gone
• Combinations of such forms with auxiliary verbs, such as was going and would have gone

The uses considered include expression of tense (time reference), aspect, mood, modality and voice, in various configurations.

For details of how inflected forms of verbs are produced in English, see English verbs. For the grammatical structure of clauses, including word order, see English clause syntax. For certain other particular topics, see the articles listed in the adjacent box. For non-standard dialect forms and antique forms, see individual dialect articles and the article, thou.