Mastering Verb Tense and Aspect for TOEIC Part 5
Welcome to one of the most important chapters for your TOEIC success! In Part 5 (Incomplete Sentences), verb tense and aspect questions appear frequently. If you can master these, you will save time and gain easy marks. Don't worry if English grammar feels like a puzzle right now. We are going to break it down into simple pieces so you can spot the correct answer in seconds.
What is Tense and Aspect?
Think of Tense as a "Time Machine." It tells us when something happens (Past, Present, or Future). Think of Aspect as the "Mood" of the action. It tells us if the action is finished, ongoing, or repeated. In the TOEIC exam, the test-makers earn their points by trying to trick you with these differences.
Marking Criteria Tip: In Part 5, you get marks for choosing the grammatically correct form that fits the "time markers" in the sentence. You lose marks by ignoring clues like "yesterday," "since," or "every month."
1. The Present Tenses: Routine vs. Right Now
Present Simple (The "Routine" Tense)
Use this for facts, habits, and office schedules. Look for keywords like: always, usually, every week, monthly.
Example: The courier delivers the mail every morning at 9:00 AM.
Present Continuous (The "Right Now" Tense)
Use this for actions happening exactly at this moment or temporary projects. Look for keywords like: now, at the moment, currently.
Example: Mr. Tanaka is meeting with the clients in Room B right now.
Common Mistake: Using the "ing" form for things that are always true.
Weak: The sun is rising in the east every day. (Incorrect)
Improved: The sun rises in the east every day. (Correct - it is a fact/routine)
2. The Past Tenses: Finished vs. Interrupted
Past Simple (The "Completed" Tense)
This is for actions that started and ended in the past. Look for: yesterday, last year, ago, in 2015.
Example: We signed the contract last Tuesday.
Past Continuous (The "Background" Tense)
This shows an action was in progress when something else happened. It often uses while or when.
Example: I was preparing the presentation when the power went out.
Quick Review Box:
• Past Simple: One quick action (The phone rang).
• Past Continuous: A longer, ongoing action (I was sleeping).
3. The Present Perfect: The Bridge Tense
The Present Perfect (Have/Has + Past Participle) is a "Bridge" because it connects the past to the present. This is a high-value topic for TOEIC!
Use it when:
1. An action started in the past and continues now.
2. The exact time is not important.
3. You see the words: since, for, already, yet, recently, so far.
Weak: I work here for five years. (This sounds like a general fact, but doesn't show the duration).
Improved: I have worked here for five years. (Correct - shows you started 5 years ago and still work here today).
Did you know? In TOEIC Part 5, if you see the word "since" followed by a date (like since 2010), the answer is almost always the Present Perfect!
4. Future Tenses: Plans and Predictions
In a business context, we talk about the future a lot! There are three main ways:
1. Will: For quick decisions or future facts. (We will email you the details.)
2. Be going to: For plans already made. (We are going to renovate the lobby next month.)
3. Present Continuous: For fixed appointments. (I am meeting the director at 3:00 PM tomorrow.)
5. Exam Strategy: Spotting the "Time Marker"
TOEIC Part 5 is a speed game. You should spend only 20-30 seconds per question. To find the right tense, follow these steps:
Step 1: Look for the Time Marker. Scan the sentence for words like "last week," "already," or "currently."
Step 2: Check the Subject. Is it singular or plural? This helps with Subject-Verb Agreement (e.g., He has vs. They have).
Step 3: Eliminate the Impossible. If the sentence says "next year," delete any Past Tense options immediately.
Example Worked Extract:
Sentence: The marketing team ------- the new advertisement campaign two days ago.
(A) finishes
(B) is finishing
(C) finished
(D) has finished
Analysis: The marker is "two days ago." This is a specific finished time in the past. Therefore, we must use Past Simple. The answer is (C).
Summary Checklist
• Present Simple = General facts / every day, usually.
• Present Continuous = Happening now / currently, at present.
• Past Simple = Finished past / yesterday, ago, last week.
• Present Perfect = Past to Present / since, for, recently.
• Future = Upcoming events / next, tomorrow, soon.
Key Takeaway: Don't read the whole sentence first. Look for the time clues. They are the keys that unlock the correct verb tense and help you reach that top score!