VERB TENSE / ASPECTREFERENCE GUIDE
Nā Analula Maka Paina (Verb Tense Patterns)
Each column in the chart represents one type of sentence structure. Each row shows the verb usage for a particular tense/aspect. Examples and brief explanations are presented below the chart however this is a reference guide and is not intended to teach you the details of each structure and usage. Use this chart in conjunction with learning the different verb tense patterns.
DISCUSSION AND EXPLANATIONS
Habitual Action - Actions that are considered regular or habitual; you simply do the thing
Hele au i ka paka - I go to the park (Its something I do)
Future Uncommitted - Actions that you would do or could do. When used as an exhortation (should do) the implication is "Do This!"
E hele ʻoe i ka paka - You, go to the park! You should go to the park. You would go to the park.
Future Committed - Actions that you are going to do, that you will do
E hele ana au i ka paka - I'm going to go to the park.
Being Completed Now - Actions that are occurring right now
Ke hele nei au i ka paka - I just now am going to the park.
Completed Action - Actions that are now complete
Ua hele au i ka paka - I went to the park
Recent Past - Actions that took place in the time leading up to right now; they just now ended
Ua hele aku nei au i ka paka - I just now went to the park
Ongoing Past - Actions that were ongoing but they occurred in the past. They may or may not still be occurring.
E hele ana au i ka paka - I was going to the park
