TENSES
TENSES
There are TWO tenses in English language;
present and past. There is no future tense. Let me clarify it.
What is tense? Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary defines tense as: Any of the forms of a verb that may be used to show the time of the action or state expressed by the verb.
Now what is time? Time is a universal concept with three divisions: present, past and future. Now look at the forms of the verb. Each main verb in English language has six different forms. E.g. Go:
1. Go = Base form
2. go = general present
3. goes = 3rd person singular
4. went = past
5. going = present participle
6. gone = past participle
All the above six forms refer either to present time or to past time. There is no form of the verb which can refer to future time. Then how can we say that there is future tense? There is no future tense, rather we show future aspect with certain auxiliary verbs or with the help of present tense.
What is tense? Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary defines tense as: Any of the forms of a verb that may be used to show the time of the action or state expressed by the verb.
Now what is time? Time is a universal concept with three divisions: present, past and future. Now look at the forms of the verb. Each main verb in English language has six different forms. E.g. Go:
1. Go = Base form
2. go = general present
3. goes = 3rd person singular
4. went = past
5. going = present participle
6. gone = past participle
All the above six forms refer either to present time or to past time. There is no form of the verb which can refer to future time. Then how can we say that there is future tense? There is no future tense, rather we show future aspect with certain auxiliary verbs or with the help of present tense.
PRESENT
TENSE
Simple present Tense
A sentence is presented in simple present tense when it is used to describe an action that's happening at present and does not indicate when the action is expected to end. Simple present tense is used when:
A sentence is presented in simple present tense when it is used to describe an action that's happening at present and does not indicate when the action is expected to end. Simple present tense is used when:
·
The
action that is taking place in general.
·
The
action is not only occurring now; it repeats after regular intervals of time.
·
To
indicate facts those are generally true.
·
The
action for relating habits and routines that happen all the time, be it in the
future, past or present.
RULES:
For
the 3rd person pronouns in singular like she, he, it and nouns in
singular the verb is always added ies,
es or s person and second person and all nouns in plural add nothing to the
verb. This means the verb remains unchanged.
Some
Examples:







We always use does and do to ask
questions
She , he, it nouns
in singular use does. Rule: does +s+
verb in its base form
you, they, we ,I and nouns in plural use do.
Rule: do +s +verb in its base form
examples:


Simple present can be indicated by adverbs like: always regularly.
Frequently often, sometimes, actually, normally, All the time, and all adverbs starting with every
Present
Continuous
Though
the simple present and present continuous tenses are used interchangeably,
present continuous usually defines an act that is going on at the time of
speaking.
This
tense is indicated by words like: now, at present, at moment. By this time etc
The sentences with present progressive tense are used when:
The sentences with present progressive tense are used when:
·
Something
is taking place now, while speaking and has a definite end as well.
·
When
something is already decided and arranged as well to perform it.
·
To
indicate an undesirable habit.
Structure:
S+
is +ing to the verb ( this is for he, she it and nouns in singular)
S
+am +ing to the verb ( this is for I only)
S
+ are + ing to the verb (this is for they, you, we and nouns in plural)
Some Examples:
Some Examples:
·
Please
wait for a moment, Shyam is talking to Mary.
·
We
are late; he will be waiting for us at the restaurant now.
·
Mom,
I am playing football.
·
Are
they still living here?
·
She
is having her breakfast now.
·
I’m planning to
meet the Director tonight.
Present
Perfect Tense
It's probably the most used tense form in English Grammar and is also considered difficult to understand. The Present Perfect Tense explains the incident that has happened in the past and that continues until the present time.
The rule to consider:
It's probably the most used tense form in English Grammar and is also considered difficult to understand. The Present Perfect Tense explains the incident that has happened in the past and that continues until the present time.
The rule to consider:
S
+ has + the verb in past participle (this is used by he, she. It and nouns in
singular)
S
+ have +the verb in past participle (this is used by I, they, you, we and nouns in plural)
Examples





Present
Perfect Continuous Tense
Usually, Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used for a situation that has occurred in the past and which continues until that moment.
Rules:
Usually, Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used for a situation that has occurred in the past and which continues until that moment.
Rules:
S
+ has +been +ing to the verb (this goes with she, it , he and nouns in
singular)
S
+ have +been +ing to the verb (this goes with
they, you, I, and nouns in
plural)
use
·
‘Since’—
if the point of time is mentioned.
·
‘For’
— if the duration of time is specified.
Examples:



Past
Tense
Simple Past Tense
Simple past tense is used to narrate an action of the past. The verb in the past tense ends with an '-ed’ except to irregular verbs.
Rule:
Simple Past Tense
Simple past tense is used to narrate an action of the past. The verb in the past tense ends with an '-ed’ except to irregular verbs.
Rule:
S
+verb in past form
Examples:




Past
Continuous Tense
This form of tense indicates activities that have already happened in the past and have been completed before the time of mention. These sentences are formed with the help of an auxiliary verb and giving the main verb an 'ing' ending.
Rules;
This form of tense indicates activities that have already happened in the past and have been completed before the time of mention. These sentences are formed with the help of an auxiliary verb and giving the main verb an 'ing' ending.
Rules;
S
+ was +ing to the verb (this goes with I, he, she, it and nouns in singular
form)
S
+ were +ing to the verb (this goes with
we, you, they and nouns in plural form)
Examples:
·
He was
washing the dishes, while she was cooking dinner.
·
I was
working at 11p.m yesterday.
·
We were
playing football when it started to rain.
·
She was
reading a thriller novel when I called her.
·
What were
you doing when Sam arrived?
·
I was
walking down the street yesterday when the police van was
patrolling the city.
Past
Perfect Tense
This tense refers to a non-continuous action that was already completed in the past. Such sentences are formed by using the Simple Past form of the auxiliary verb 'to have', followed by the past participle form of the verb.
This tense refers to a non-continuous action that was already completed in the past. Such sentences are formed by using the Simple Past form of the auxiliary verb 'to have', followed by the past participle form of the verb.
Rule:
S
+ had +verb in past participle
This
rule is applicable to all noun or pronouns
Example:
·
I had
never seen such a beautiful before.
·
She
understood the movie only because she had read the book.
·
Clara had
never been to a club before last night.
·
We
didn’t get a room in the hotel because we had not booked in
advance.
Past
Perfect Continuous Tense
A continuous action that was completed sometime in the past falls under Past Perfect Continuous tense. Such sentences are framed by using the modal, 'had' + 'been' + the present participle-of the verb (-ing).
A continuous action that was completed sometime in the past falls under Past Perfect Continuous tense. Such sentences are framed by using the modal, 'had' + 'been' + the present participle-of the verb (-ing).
Structure:
Subject + had + been + ing to the verb + object
Example:
Subject + had + been + ing to the verb + object
Example:
·
I had
been playing the guitar all morning.
·
I had
been sleeping all the way from the beginning of the class.
·
He had
been trying to call her.
·
Until
this year, Neha had been going to a village school.
·
The
baby had been crying out loud for minutes when her mother fed
her.
Expressing
events in Future Time
Simple Future time
This time is used for those sentences which refer to the actions which will occur later, in future. For making this possible will/ shall are used.
Simple Future time
This time is used for those sentences which refer to the actions which will occur later, in future. For making this possible will/ shall are used.
Rule:
S+
will/shall + the verb in base form
use will for he,she,it ,they,you and all nouns.
use will for he,she,it ,they,you and all nouns.
Use
shall for I and we only
Examples:
·
She will not
come tomorrow.
·
Will you come to play with me after school?
·
I shall keep
in touch with you.
·
I shall
reach home by 7p.m.
·
He will stay
with us for 3 days.
However,
nowadays this distinction of 'will' and 'shall' is not followed. Instead,
'will' is used wherever absolute conviction is required to be expressed while
the usage of 'shall' depends on individual writing style.
Future
Continuous Time
This tense defines those acts which will be continued at a future point of time. In order to form a future continuous tense sentence, a future auxiliary verb is required followed by a main verb that ends with-ing.
Structure:
will/ shall +be + ing to the verb
This tense defines those acts which will be continued at a future point of time. In order to form a future continuous tense sentence, a future auxiliary verb is required followed by a main verb that ends with-ing.
Structure:
will/ shall +be + ing to the verb
Examples:
·
We
assume that our representative will be winning the elections
that are to be held at the end of April.
·
Today,
she will be walking all the way to her house from her office.
·
I will
be watching the new movie next week.
·
By
this time tomorrow, I will be at home watching T.V.
Future Perfect Time
This tense is used to express an act that is predicted to be finished within a certain span of time in the future. Such sentences are formed by
This tense is used to express an act that is predicted to be finished within a certain span of time in the future. Such sentences are formed by
Rule:
Shall/ will' + 'have'
+ 'past participle of the verb'.
Examples:
Examples:
·
By
the end of the year, he will have saved enough for his
sister’s wedding.
·
You will
have left for London by the time this bridge gets renewed.
·
Calvin will
have gone by the time you reach there by bus.
·
I will
have walked 15 kms by this time.
·
How
long will it have been since we were here together?
Future
Perfect Continuous time
This time form indicates an action that is continuous and, at some point in the future, it will be completed. It is formed using the modal
This time form indicates an action that is continuous and, at some point in the future, it will be completed. It is formed using the modal
Rule:
Will/shall'
+ 'have' + 'been' + 'the past participle of the verb (-ing)'.
Examples:
Examples:
·
Next
Saturday, I will have been working on this assignment for
three years.
·
Tomorrow,
at this time, I shall have been playing cricket since morning.
·
I will
have been studying English for two hours by the time you arrive
here.
NB
Tenses
are critical to sensible and flawless language. They help you convey your ideas
clearly by way of words. They help indicate the time of the statement and
provide the reader with a crystal-clear picture of incidents. With mere
practice, you will be able to grab all the concepts of the correct usage of the
tenses.
PREPARED BY
MWL. KAJANA,
SELEMAN M
0766495166/0654006809.
EMAIL:seremankajana@gmail.com
Labels: ACADEMIC
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