In the English language, every verb is to be used in either the past, present, or future tense. Let us look at how the term “illustrate” is employed in all different tenses.
“Illustrate” as a verb denotes the act of showcasing an example of a thing or an idea through a visual component. The past tense of this verb is “illustrated” and future tense version is “will illustrate”. Depending on the situation, the conjugational construction of the abovementioned tense forms may differ.
For us to better understand the term’s definition and the many tenses in which it can be used, let us now go through the conjugation of the verb “illustrate” in detail.
Illustrate in present tense
The verb “illustrate” has a form in each of the English grammar’s tenses. Let us take a deep dive into this topic within the present tense form.
“Illustrate” is used in present tense when the showcasing of an example of a thing or an idea through a visual component is taking place in the present time. Another form of it is “illustrating” which is typically preceded by auxiliary verbs like ‘am’, ‘is’, ‘are’, etc. that give it the quality of the present tense.
When can “illustrate” be used in present tense?
| Different Forms of Present Tense | When can “illustrate” be used in respective present tense forms? |
| 1. Simple Present Tense | “Illustrate” as a verb is usually employed in simple present tense when the act of showcasing an example of a thing or an idea through a visual component has taken place in the present. |
| 2. Present Continuous Tense | “Illustrate” as a verb is usually employed in present continuous tense when the act of showcasing an example of a thing or an idea through a visual component is in the process of being taken place in the present. |
| 3. Present Perfect Tense | “Illustrate” as a verb is usually employed in present perfect tense when the act of showcasing an example of a thing or an idea through a visual component has wholly taken place in the present. |
| 4. Present Perfect Continuous Tense | “Illustrate” as a verb is usually employed in present perfect continuous tense when the act of showcasing an example of a thing or an idea through a visual component has started taking place in the past and continued to take place in the present. |
Examples of “illustrate” being used in different present tense forms.
| Types of Present Tense | Example Sentences | Explanations |
| 1. Simple Present Tense | The instructor illustrates the importance of safety while driving on a crowded highway with the help of theoretical as well as practical methods which include PowerPoints and demonstrations in an actual car, respectively. | The word “illustrates” has been employed in this example in its simple present tense, which is evident from its conjugational form. Its placement between the subject and object further establishes its status as a verb. |
| 2. Present Continuous Tense | The instructor is illustrating the importance of safety while driving on a crowded highway with the help of theoretical as well as practical methods which include PowerPoints and demonstrations in an actual car, respectively. | As can be seen from the auxiliary verb “is” before it, the conjugated form of “is illustrating” which has a “-ing” at the end, and the placement of the phrase between the subject and the object, “is illustrating” is used in this sentence in the present continuous tense. |
| 3. Present Perfect Tense | The instructor has illustrated the importance of safety while driving on a crowded highway with the help of theoretical as well as practical methods which include PowerPoints and demonstrations in an actual car, respectively. | In the written statement, the present perfect tense form is indicated by placing the past participle “illustrated” which denotes the end of the action, after the auxiliary verb “has” which is placed after the subject and before the sentence’s object. |
| 4. Present Perfect Continuous Tense | The instructor has been illustrating the importance of safety while driving on a crowded highway with the help of theoretical as well as practical methods which include PowerPoints and demonstrations in an actual car, respectively. | The phrase “has been illustrating” as a whole contains the qualities of completeness and continuance, which makes it a present perfect continuous tense. It also happens to be lending the object the quality of action being done by the subject. |
Illustrate in past tense
Even though the verb “illustrate” is frequently employed in the past tense, its conjugational characteristics might change. Let us investigate this.
“Illustrate” is used in past tense as “illustrated’ and is so used when the act of showcasing an example of a thing or an idea through a visual component is taking place specifically during a time that has passed by already.
Auxiliary verbs like ‘was’, ‘were’, ‘had’, etc, are used to demonstrate the action taking place in the past.
When can “illustrate” be used in past tense?
| Different Forms of Past Tense | When can “illustrate” be used in respective past tense forms? |
| 1. Simple Past Tense | “Illustrate” as a verb is usually employed in simple past tense when the act of showcasing an example of a thing or an idea through a visual component has taken place in the past. |
| 2. Past Continuous Tense | “Illustrate” as a verb is usually employed in past continuous tense when the act of showcasing an example of a thing or an idea through a visual component was in the process of being taken place in the past. |
| 3. Past Perfect Tense | “Illustrate” as a verb is usually employed in past perfect tense when the act of showcasing an example of a thing or an idea through a visual component has wholly taken place in the past. |
| 4. Past Perfect Continuous Tense | “Illustrate” as a verb is usually employed in past perfect continuous tense the act of showcasing an example of a thing or an idea through a visual component has started taking place in the past and continued to take place in the past. |
Examples of “illustrate” being used in different past tense forms.
| Types of Past Tense | Example Sentences | Explanations |
| 1. Simple Past Tense | The popular cartoonist illustrated all the shortcomings of societal norms through the help of his quirky animation and he had also shed some light on the political mishaps that had been taking the country by storm at the time. | The word “illustrated” has been employed in this example in its simple past tense, which is evident from its conjugational form. Its placement between the subject and object further establishes its status as a verb. |
| 2. Past Continuous Tense | The popular cartoonist was illustrating all the shortcomings of societal norms through the help of his quirky animation and he had also shed some light on the political mishaps that had been taking the country by storm at the time. | As can be seen from the auxiliary verb “was” before it, the conjugated form of “is illustrating” which has a “-ing” at the end, and the placement of the phrase between the subject and the object, “is illustrating” is used in this sentence in the past continuous tense. |
| 3. Past Perfect Tense | The popular cartoonist had illustrated all the shortcomings of societal norms through the help of his quirky animation and he had also shed some light on the political mishaps that had been taking the country by storm at the time. | In the written statement, the past perfect tense form is indicated by placing the past participle “illustrated” which denotes the end of the action, after the auxiliary verb “had” which is placed after the subject and before the sentence’s object. |
| 4. Past Perfect Continuous Tense | The popular cartoonist had been illustrating all the shortcomings of societal norms through the help of his quirky animation and he had also shed some light on the political mishaps that had been taking the country by storm at the time. | The phrase “had been illustrating” as a whole contains the qualities of completeness and continuance, which makes it a past perfect continuous tense. It also happens to be lending the object the quality of action being done by the subject. |
Illustrate in future tense
Naturally, there are many different ways to say “illustrate,” even in the future tense. Let us look at this in more detail now.
“Illustrate” is used in future tense when the demonstration of an example of a thing or an idea through a visual component is taking place particularly in the future tense.
Even in this form, this verb relies on past and present participles to function, and only modal verbs like ‘will’ and ‘shall’ highlight its characteristics as the future tense.
When can “illustrate” be used in future tense?
| Different Forms of Future Tense | When can “illustrate” be used in respective future tense forms? |
| 1. Simple Future Tense | “Illustrate” as a verb is usually employed in simple future tense when the act of showcasing an example of a thing or an idea through a visual component will take place in the future. |
| 2. Future Continuous Tense | “Illustrate” as a verb is usually employed in future continuous tense the act of showcasing an example of a thing or an idea through a visual component will be in the process of taking place in the future. |
| 3. Future Perfect Tense | “Illustrate” as a verb is usually employed in future perfect tense when the act of showcasing an example of a thing or an idea through a visual component will wholly take place in the future. |
| 4. Future Perfect Continuous Tense | “Illustrate” as a verb is usually employed in future perfect continuous tense the act of showcasing an example of a thing or an idea through a visual component will have started taking place in the future and continue to take place in the future itself. |
Examples of “illustrate” being used in different future tense forms.
| Types of Future Tense | Example Sentences | Explanations |
| 1. Simple Future Tense | The professors will illustrate their methods of teaching and out of the box ways to connect with each and every student during orientation week as that is the time they can make their first impressions on the new admissions. | The term “will illustrate” has been employed in this example in its simple present tense, which is evident from its conjugational form. Its placement between the subject and object further establishes its status as a verb. |
| 2. Future Continuous Tense | The professors will be illustrating their methods of teaching and out of the box ways to connect with each and every student during orientation week as that is the time they can make their first impressions on the new admissions. | As can be seen from the auxiliary verb “will be” before it, the conjugated form of “is illustrating” which has a “-ing” at the end, and the placement of the phrase between the subject and the object, “is illustrating” is used in this sentence in the present continuous tense. |
| 3. Future Perfect Tense | The professors will have illustrate their methods of teaching and out of the box ways to connect with each and every student during orientation week as that is the time they can make their first impressions on the new admissions. | In the written statement, the present perfect tense form is indicated by placing the past participle “illustrated” which denotes the end of the action, after the auxiliary verb “will have” which is placed after the subject and before the sentence’s object. |
| 4. Future Perfect Continuous Tense | The professors will have been illustrating their methods of teaching and out of the box ways to connect with each and every student during orientation week as that is the time they can make their first impressions on the new admissions. | The phrase “will have been illustrating” as a whole contains the qualities of completeness and continuance, which makes it a perfect continuous tense. It also happens to be lending the object the quality of action being done by the subject. |
Conclusion
Thus, if the underlying core concepts are recognized accurately, as can be seen from the data, the term “Illustrate” can be effectively conjugated as a verb in the English Language.
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