PAST TENSE

1) Simple Past Tense-

Indicates an action took place before the present moment and that has no real
connection with the present time.
For example, "He danced in the function." (The action took place in the past, is
finished and is completely unrelated to the present)

"He flew to London yesterday."

Note

a. The verb 'flew' is an irregular verb which does not take 'ed' in the past tense
like regular verbs.

b. The form of Simple Past Tense is - verb + ed

2) Past Perfect Tense-

Indicates an action in the past that had been completed before another time or
event in the past.

For example, "He had exercised before it started to rain."

"He had slept before I came back from the market."

Note

a. The form of Past Perfect Tense is- had + verb (past participle form or the 3rd
form of the verb)

3) Past Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action going on at some time in the past or an action in the past that
is longer in duration than another action in the past.

For example, "It was getting darker."

 "The light went out while theywere reading."

Note

a. The form of Past Continuous Tense is- was/were + verb + ing

4) Past Perfect Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action in the past that took place before another time or event in the
past and continued during the second event/time point in the past.

For example, "At that time, he had been writing a novel for two months."

"He had been exercising when I called."

Note

a. The form of Past Perfect Continuous Tense is- had + been + verb + ing

PRESENT TENSE
1) Simple Present Tense-

Indicates an action that is generally true or habitual. That is, it took place in the
past , continue to take place in the present, and will take place in the future. This
tense is used to denote

-a habitual action- for instance, "He walk to school."

-general truths- for instance, "The sun rises in the east", "Honesty is the best
policy."

-a future event that is part of a fixed timetable- for instance, "The match starts at
9 o' clock."

Note

a. The form of Simple Present Tense is- verb (infinitive without 'to' and
agreeable with the subject)

2) Present Perfect Tense-

Indicates an action that has been completed sometime before the present
moment, with a result that affects the present situation.

For example, "He has finished the work."

"He has slept."

Note

a. The form of Present Perfect Tense is- has/have + verb (past participle form or
3rd form of the verb)

3) Present Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action that is taking place at the moment of speaking.

For example, "She is walking."

"I am studying."
Note

a. the form of Present Continuous Tense is- is/am/are + verb + ing

4) Present Perfect Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action that started in the past and is continuing at the present time.

For example, "He has been sleeping for an hour."

Note

a. The form of Present Perfect Continuous Tense is- has/have + been + verb +
ing

Read More : What is Future Tense?Get Examples and Practice Exercise

FUTURE TENSE
1) Simple Future Tense-

Indicates an action that will take place after the present time and that has no real
connection with the present time.

For example, "She will visit her ailing grandmother soon."

"He will walk home."

Note

a. the form of Simple Future Tense is- will/shall + verb

2) Future Perfect Tense-

Indicates an action in the future that will have been completed before another
time or event in the future.

For example, "By the time we arrive, he will have studied."

Note

a. The form of Future Perfect Tense is- will/shall have + verb(past participle
form or 3rd form of the verb)

3) Future Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action in the future that is longer in duration than another action in
the future.

For example, "He will be walking when it starts to rain."

Note

a. The form of Future Continuous Tense is-will/shall be + verb + ing

4) Future Perfect Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action in the future that will have been continuing until another time
or event in the future.

For example, "He will have been exercising an hour at 2:00."

Note

a. The form of Future Perfect Continuous Tense is- will/shall have been + verb
+ ing
1. Choose the correct verb from those in brackets:

a. The earth _____ round the sun. (move, moves, moved)

b. My friends _____ the film yesterday. (see, saw, have seen)

c. It started to rain while we _____ tennis. (are playing, had played, were playing)

d. I _____ English for five years. (have been studying, study, am studying)

e. The train _____ before we reach the station. (arrives, will have arrived, had
arrived)

f. Don't disturb me. I _____ my work. (do, did, am doing)

g. Fortune _____ the brave. (is favouring, will favour, favours)

h. I _____ the letter before you arrived. (had written, wrote, will write)

i. He _____ us next week. (will have met, will have been meeting, will be
meeting)

j. Perhaps we _____ Delhi next month. (visit, will visit, visited)

Q2. Complete the dialogue.

Rashid: Rahul! Your friend Manas has sent you a postcard. It’s from Kerala. It
____ (look) nice.

Rahul: I bet it does!

Rashid: He ____ (write) that it’s very hot there. There ___ (be) a lot of tourists.
The hotels ____ (be) full. He ____ (say) the restaurants ____ (be) always full!
Rahul: Yes. I’m sure it is. The papers____ (say) that the temperature there is
30C.

Rashid: Then he ___ (write) that he has learnt a bit of Malayalam, and that he
____ (get on) well with the people there, especially the women!

Rashid: Look, didn’t the newspaper ____ (say) that there’s another strike in
Kerala.

Rahul: Yes, it did Manas won’t mind having to stay in Kerala longer!

Read More : Why Language skills are so Crucial?

Q3. Correct the following sentences:

i. I lived in Calcutta since 1930.

ii. She died before her husband came.

iii. I have written a letter to her last Monday.

iv. I am reading Kalidasa for the last six days.

v. The new hotel has been opened last Saturday.

vi. He had gone to Madras last week.

vii. The train leave the station before I reached there.

viii. I wish my men had been coming quickly and find us.

ix. At the moment the baby sleep in the cradle.

x. He goes out for ten minutes.

ANSWERS
Q1.

a. moves

b. saw

c. were playing

d. have been studying

e. will have arrived

f. am doing

g. favours

h. had written

i. will be meeting

j. will visit

Q2.

a. looks

b. has written

c. are

d. are

e. says
f. are

g. say

h. writes

i. gets on

j. say

Q3.

i. I have been living in Calcutta since 1930.

ii. She had died before her husband came.

iii.I wrote a letter to her last Monday.

iv. I have been reading Kalidasa for the last six days.

v. The new hotel opened last Saturday.

vi. He went to Madras last week.

vii. The train had left the station before I reached there.

viii. I wish my men came quickly and found us.

ix. At the moment the baby is sleeping in the cradle.

x. He has gone out for ten minutes.

What is Past Tense?
Past Tense refers to actions that take place in the past. In addition, they are used
to talk about hypothesis and for politeness.

Examples

Examples of Past Tense are as follows:

● He went to the market.

● He was working as a teacher.
● He had been living in that house since August

Types
There are four types of tenses that together make up Past Tense, namely:

1. Simple Past Tense

The Simple Past Tense denoted an action that happened in the past and has no
connection with the present. With most verbs, the past tense is formed by adding
the suffix –ed to the verb. For example, waited, worked, created and so on.
However, there are many verbs which do not take the –ed as suffix in their past
form. Such verbs are called irregular verbs, for example,

Word Past

Bring Brought
 Eat Ate

Give Gave

Know Knew

Sell Sold

Speak Spoke

Take Took

Teach Taught

The Simple Past is used:

● To denote an action that happened once in the past. For example,

She met her husband in 1988.

● To denote an action that happened regularly in the past. For example,

 He ate a lot when he was a child.

● To denote an action that was true for some time in the past. For
example,

She lived with her parents for twenty years.

2. Past Perfect Tense

The Past Perfect Tense denotes an action that happened before another action
in the past. The tense makes it clear which action happened first. The Past
Perfect Tense is used:

● For an action that started in the past and continued up to a given time in
the past. For example,

The train had left the station before I arrived.

● For an action done several times up to a point in the past and continued
to do after that point. For example,

He had written three letters and he was working on the fourth.

● While reporting our experience up to the (then) present. For example,

I was pleased to meet Rajesh, whom I hadn’t met before.

● For an action that happened in the past but is important at the time of
reporting. For example,
 She wasn’t at home. She had gone to the market.

3. Past Continuous Tense

The Past Continuous Tense describes an action that began in the past and is still
going on at the moment of speaking. It is formed from the past tense of the verb
‘be’ with the –ing suffix.

The Past Continuous Tense is used:

● For an action that continued before and after another action. For
example,

The children were eating dinner when their parents got home.

● To denote a change of mind. For example,

I was going to play cricket but I have decided to finish my homework

instead.

● To denote an action happening repeatedly. For example,

They were always fighting.

4. Past Perfect Continuous Tense

The Past Perfect Continuous Tense denotes an action that started in the past
and continued up to another point in the past. It is formed using had been and
present participle form.

The Past Perfect Continuous Tense is used:

 ● For something that started in the past and continued up until another
time in the past. For example,

He had been exercising for an hour before his mother arrived.

● To show cause and effect. For example,

He was tired because he had been exercising.

Exercise
Q1. Fill in the blanks using the appropriate form of the given verb.

1. He did not wait for his sister because he _____ her message. (to read)

2. An electrician _____ to my house yesterday. (to come)

3. When their parents reached home, the girls ____ games for three hours. (to
play)

4. He forgot the answer that he _____ only a minute before. (to revise)

5. When I _____ to my father, my phone suddenly rang. (to talk)

What is Present Tense?

Present Tense is used to describe an action that is taking place at the moment of
speaking, with no connection to the past or future. In other words, Present Tense
is used to describe events that are happening at that very moment.

Examples

Examples of Present Tense are as follows:

● Rahul speaks English fluently.

● I am going to the market.
● They are excited to attend the play.
● The old lady has been living alone in her house for ten years.

Types

There are four types of tenses that together make up Present Tense, namely:

1. Simple Present Tense

The Simple Present Tense is used to describe habits, unchanging situations,
fixed events, universal truths. The simple present tense uses the base form of
the verb and the third person singular takes an –s as the suffix.

The Simple Present Tense is used:

● To express habits, universal truths, repeated actions or fixed events. For

example,
The school bus picks up the students at 6 am.

Honesty is the best policy.

● To express fixed arrangements, present or future. For example,

The exam begins at 10 am.

● To give instructions or directions. For example,

You must finish the work if you want to go to the market.

● With future constructions. For example,

He will meet you before he leaves

2. Present Perfect Tense

The Present Perfect Tense is used to indicate a link between the present and the
past. It is used to describe:

● An action that started in the past and continues in the present. For
example,

He has worked in this company since 2004.

 ● An action performed during a period that has not yet finished. For
example,

She has visited the market twice this week.

● A repeated action done several times in the past and continues in the
present too. For example,

He has visited Spain several times.

● An action that has been completed in the recent past. For example,

The train has just left the station.

3. Present Continuous Tense

The Present Continuous Tense is made from the present form of the verb ‘be’
and the -ing form of a verb. It is used:

● To describe an action that is happening at the moment of speaking. For

example,

The children are playing in the field.

● To describe future plans or arrangements. For example,

Where are you going next month?

● To describe an action that is going on during the time of speaking. For

example,

Are you still playing for the same team?

4. Present Perfect Continuous Tense

The Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used for an action that started in the
past and has continued up to the present moment. It is used:

● To describe an action that started in the past and has continued up to

the present. For example,

She has been singing for over two hours.

● To describe an action that has just finished. For example,

It has been raining.

Exercises
Q1. Fill in the blanks with the correct tense form.

1. When I opened my eyes, I _____ a beautiful spectacle. (see)

2. Every morning, she _____ up early and goes for a walk. (wake)
3. I _____ visit Italy next month. (visit)

4. The train _____ the station before I _____. (leave, reach)

5. I _____ Maths for ten years. (teach)

6. Rahul and Anjali _____ late the other day. (late)

7. I think that the delegates _____ tomorrow morning. (morning)

8. Last Thursday, they _____ cricket after they _____ their work. (play, do)

9. They _____ in this house since 2001. (live)

10. She _____ a new dress yesterday. (buy)

Future Tense always indicates a time later than the present. In other words, it is
used to denote an action that is expected to take place in the future.

What is Future Tense?

Future Tense depicts an action that happens in the future or is likely to happen in
the future. It may also express the speaker’s attitude to a future event.

Examples

Future Tense may be used in various situations such as:

● Prediction There will be rain tomorrow.

● Arrangements I am visiting his house tomorrow.
● Plans I am going to do an internship in May.
● An action in progress This time next month, I will be in London.
● Fixed Routine He shall attend the lecture tomorrow, right?

Types

There are types of tenses that fall under the Future Tense. They are:

1. Simple Future Tense

The Simple Future Tense denotes an action that will take place in the future. It
expresses facts and certainty. This tense is used:

● To predict an event in the future. For example,

The uncle will come home tomorrow.

● To express willingness. For example,

His brother will carry the suitcase for you.

● To give orders. For example,

You will do what I tell you to do.

● To invite. For example,

Will you sing along?

2. Future Perfect Tense

The Future Perfect Tense depicts an action that will be finished by a particular
time in the future. The tense is formed using ‘will’ + ‘have’ + past participle of the
verb. It is used:

● To depict the duration of an action that starts before and continues up to

another action or time in the future. For example,

At 5 pm, I’ll have been out in the market for 3 hours.

● To depict an action that will finish before a certain time in the future, but
exactly when that happens is not known. For example,

By 11 am, I will have completed my assignment.

3. Future Continuous Tense

The Future Continuous Tense depicts an action that is likely to happen in the
future and continue for an expected length of time. It is formed using
‘will+be+past participle’. The tense is used:
 ● To denote an action that will be in progress at some point in the future.
For example,

She will be having dinner with us tomorrow.

● To denote an action verbs. For example,

I will be running the marathon next month.

● To be used for predicting about future events. For example,

He’ll be coming to school tomorrow.

4. Future Perfect Continuous Tense

The Future Perfect Continuous Tense depicts an action that will continue up until
a point in the future. It is formed using will+have+been+present participle. It is
used:

● To depict the duration of an action that continues up to another point in

the future. For example,

By the time you arrive, I will have exercised for an hour.

● To denote an action that finishes just before another time or action in the
future. For example,

When I meet you, I’ll have been dancing, so I’ll be tired.

Exercise

Q1. Fill in the blanks with appropriate tenses:

1. Rahul has sold his bike. He _____ a car. (to buy)

2. This time tomorrow, we _____ to Mumbai. (to drive)

3. We will _____ to London this summer. (go)

4. I am afraid they _____ everything by the time we arrive. (to eat)

5. Wait! I _____ you. (to help)

Below exercise on tenses will give you a deeper understanding:

I. I (learn)_______ to bake for three years now.

II. But last year I (not / work) __________hard enough on my baking skills, so
my bakes (not / be) __________ really that good then.
III. As I (pass / want) __________ my baking exam successfully coming
summer, I (practice) __________ harder this term.
IV. During my last winter vacation, my father (send) __________ me on a
baking course to Paris.
V. It (be) __________ great and I think I (learn) __________ a lot.
VI. Before I (go) __________ to Paris, I (not / enjoy) __________ baking
cakes that much.
VII. But while I (do) __________ the baking course, I (meet) __________
lots of people of different age groups from all over the world.
 VIII. There I (realize) __________ how exciting it (be) __________ to
experiment and bake.
IX. Now I (have) __________ much more fun baking cakes than I (have)
__________before the course.
X. At the moment I (work) __________ on my bread baking skills.
XI. And I (begin / already) __________ to bake cookies, cakes and short crust
pastries.
XII. I (think) __________ I (do) __________ one type of bake every week.
XIII. My final test (be) __________ on 4th June, so there (not / be)
__________ any time to be lost.
XIV. If I (clear) __________ my baking exam, I (start) __________ an
internship with Tesco Bakery in August.
XV. And after my internship, maybe I (go) __________ back to Paris and
open my store.
XVI. As you (see / can) __________, I (fall) __________ in love with Paris
already.

Answers:
I. (have been learning)
II. (did not work, were not)
III. (want to pass, am going to practice)
IV. (sent)
V. (was, learnt)
VI. (went, did not enjoy)
VII. (was doing, met)
VIII. (realized, is)
IX. (have, had)
X. (am working)
XI. (have already begun)
XII. (think, will do)
XIII. (is, isn’t)
XIV. (clear, will start)
XV. (will go)
XVI. (can see, have fallen)