Conjugation

Chip away

enlever de petits morceaux

Regular verb, phrasal verb.

  • Phrasal verb: away

    Only chip changes; away stays the same: chipped away, chipped away.

In speech, the helping verbs shorten: I’m, he’s, we’re, I’ve, I’ll, I’d.

Newbie

Enough to talk about now, the past, and your plans, and to give instructions.

  1. Present simple

    Habits, facts, and how things usually are. To say no or ask, add do or does: I don't chip away, he doesn't chip away.

    1. I / you / we / they chip away
    2. he / she / it chips away

  2. Present continuous

    What is happening now, and plans already arranged: we’re leaving tomorrow.

    1. I am chipping away
    2. you / we / they are chipping away
    3. he / she / it is chipping away

  3. Past simple

    A finished action at a past time: yesterday, in 2020. To say no or ask, add did: I didn't chip away.

    1. I / you / he / she / it / we / they chipped away

  4. Future with going to

    Plans and intentions, and what you can see coming: it’s going to rain.

    1. I am going to chip away
    2. you / we / they are going to chip away
    3. he / she / it is going to chip away

  5. Imperative

    Orders, advice, and instructions. Let’s suggests doing it together. To say no: don't chip away.

    1. (you) chip away
    2. let's chip away