TENSES

Tenses denote the time of action. They show

when the work is done.
Examples: I need some food. (Present Time)
He died in London. (Past Time)
They will go there. (Future Time)
 In the first sentence ‘need’ is the Present Tense form and
indicates the present time.
 In the second sentence ‘died’ is the Past Tense form and
indicates the past time.
 In the third sentence ‘will go’ is the Future Tense form and
indicates the future time.
 KINDS OF TENSES
On the basis of time, Tenses have been divided into
three classes:
1. PRESENT TENSE
2. PAST TENSE
3. FUTURE TENSE
To show the progress or stage of an action, each of the
three Tenses has been sub-divided into four classes. They
are:
 Simple or Indefinite
 Continuous or Imperfect or Progressive
 Perfect
 Perfect Continuous or Perfect Progressive
 TABLE OF ENGLISH TENSES
TENSE INDEFINITE CONTINUOUS PERFECT PERFECT CONT.
PRESENT Verb form: Verb form: Verb form: Verb form:
V1/V5 is/are/am+V4 has/have+V3 has/have+been
+V4

Examples He writes. He is writing. He has written. He has been

writing.

PAST Verb form: V2 Verb form: Verb form: Verb form:

was/were+V4 had+V3 had+been+V4

Examples He wrote. He was writing. He had written. He had been

writing.

FUTURE Verb form: Verb form: Verb form: Verb form:

shall/will+ V1 shall/wii+be+V4 shall/will+have+ shall/will+have+
V3 been+V4
Examples He will write. He will be He will have He will have
writing. written. been writing.
 FORMS OF VERBS WITH EXAMPLES
VERB1 VERB2 VERB3 VERB4 VERB5
Present Tense Past Form Past Participle Present Present Tense
Plural Form Participle & Singular
Form
Give Gave Given Giving Gives
Bite Bit Bitten Biting Bites
Break Broke Broken Breaking Breaks
Blow Blew Blown Blowing Blows
Choose Chose Chosen Choosing Chooses
Dig Dug Dug Digging Digs
Freeze Froze Frozen Freezing Freezes
Hold Held Held Holding Holds
Rise Rose Risen Rising Rises
Tear Tore Torn Tearing Tears
 USES OF TENSES
1. SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE
USE: 1.  TO EXPRESS A PERMANENT SITUATION OR SOME PERMANENT WORK OF
THE PRESENT TIME
Examples: • My house faces to the north.
• Patna stands on the bank of the Ganges.
USE: 2.  TO EXPRESS A GENERAL OR UNIVERSAL TRUTH.
Examples: • The earth moves round the sun.
• The rose smells sweet.
USE: 3.  TO EXPRESS A FIXED PROGRAMME OF THE FUTURE TIME
Examples: • The Prime Minister visits Patna next month.
• I leave for Delhi tomorrow.
USE: 4.  FOR A RUNNING COMMENTARY
Examples: • Tendulkar runs after the ball, catches it and throws it on the
stumps.
USE: 5  TO EXPRESS THE PRESENT THOUGHTS, FEELINGS OR STATES
Examples: • He looks tired.
• Your house needs repairing.
 SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE
USE: 6.  IF TWO ACTIONS OF THE FUTURE TIME ARE REFRRED TO, WE USE THE
SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE IN THE SUBORDINATE CLAUSE BEGINNING WITH IF,
WHEN, BEFORE, AFTER, UNLESS, UNTILL, IN CASE, AS LONG AS, AS SOON AS

Examples: • If he works hard, he will succeed.

• As soon as he comes, I will give him this present.
• We shall not go out in case it rains.

NOTE: FOR A PRESENT HABIT OR FOR THE FREQUENCY OF SOME WORK OF THE
PRESENT TIME, THE FOLLOWING ADVERB OR ADVERB PHRASES ARE GENERALLY
USED IN THE SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE:

Adverbs/ always, seldom, never, hardly’ scarcely, rarely, occasionally , frequently, often,
Adverb usually, generally, habitually, daily, everyday (week, month , year), once a week
Phrase
(month, year) .
 STRUCTURES
AFFIRMATIVE  SUBJECT+ VERB-1/VERB-5 (V1+s/es) + OBJECT

Examples • She cooks food in the evening.

• They play hockey in the ground.
NEGATIVE  SUBJECT+ DO/DOES+ NOT+ VERB-1+ OBJECT
OR (SUBJECT+ DON’T/DOESN’T+ VERB-1+ OBJECT)
Examples • Reena does not watch television.
• We do not smoke.
INTERROGATIVE  DO/DOES+ SUBJECT+ VERB-1+ OBJECT+ ?
 ‘WH’ WORD+ DO/DOES+ SUBJECT+ VERB-1+ OBJECT+?
Examples • Do you play cricket?
• Does she wash clothes?
• Why do you read this book?
INTERROGATIVE-  DO/DOES+ SUBJECT+ NOT+ VERB-1+ OBJECT+?
NEGATIVE  ‘WH’ WORD+ DO/DOES+ SUBJECT+ NOT+ VERB-1+ OBJECT+?
Examples • Do you not like fish?
• Does she not go to school daily?
• Why do you not complete your homework?
 2. PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE
USE :1  FOR AN ACTION WHICH IS GOING ON AT THE TIME OF
SPEAKING OR AT THIS MOMENT

Examples  They are watching television.

 I am listening to the radio.

USE:2  FOR AN ACTION WHICH IS IN PROGRESS IN THE PRESENT

TIME BUT NOT NECESSARILY AT THE TIME OF SPEAKING

Examples  She is making a film on the life of Mahatma Gandhi.

 I am writing a book on physics.

USE: 3  TO SHOW A GRADUAL DEVELOPMENT OR CHANGE IN

SOMETHING
Examples  The condition of the patient is improving.
 The number of the shops is increasing.

USE:4  FOR A FIXED PROGRAMME IN THE NEAR FUTURE

Examples  My father is going to Delhi tonight.
 He is coming tomorrow.
THE FOLLOWING VERBS ARE NOT NORMALLY USED IN THE CONTINUOUS TENSE

1. Verbs of perception see, hear, smell, taste

2. Verbs of appearing appear, look, seem
3. Verbs of emotion want, wish, desire, feel, like, love, hate, hope
4. Verbs of thinking think, suppose, believe, agree, trust, know,
imagine, mind, believe, understand
5. Some other verbs cost, resemble, need, dare, keep, equal

WRONG RIGHT

1. These grapes are tasting sour. These grapes taste sour.

2. She is seeming sad. She seems sad.
3. I am knowing him well. I know him well.
4. I am hoping so. I hope so.
5. I am liking her. I like her.
6. I am thinking you are wrong. I think you are wrong.
7. He is having a cellphone. He has a cellphone
 STRUCTURES
AFFIRMATIVE  SUBJECT+ IS/AM/ARE+ VERB-4 (V1+ING)+ OBJECT
Examples • She is writing a letter.
• I am singing a song.
NEGATIVE SUBJECT+ IS/AM/ARE+ NOT+ VERB-4+ OBJECT
Examples • They are not playing hockey.
• Sonu is not watching T.V.
INTERROGATIVE  IS/ARE/AM+ SUBJECT+ VERB-4+ OBJECT+ ?
 ‘WH’ WORD+ IS/AM/ARE+ SUBJECT+ VERB-4+ OBJECT+ ?
Examples • Is he reading a novel?
• Why are you making a kite?
NEGATIVE-  IS/AM/ARE+ SUBJECT+ NOT+ VERB-4+ OBJECT +?
INTERROGATIVE  WH’WORD+ IS/AM/ARE+ SUBJECT+ NOT+VERB-4+ OBJECT+?
Examples • Is he not singing a song?
• Why are you not watching television?
Use of ‘Is/Am/Are  With he, she, it and singular noun- we use ‘is’
 With I- we use ‘am’
 With we, you, they and plural noun- we use ‘are’
 3. PRESENT PERFECT TENSE
USE: 1.  TO EXPRESS AN ACTION THAT HAS RECENTLY BEEN COMPLETED
Examples • I have just received my father’s letter.
• The train has left the station.

USE: 2.  TO DESCRIBE A PAST EXPERIENCE

Examples • I have seen this picture many times.
• She has visited Shimla three times.
USE: 3.  NORMALLY WITH THE ADVERB OR ADVERB PHRASES OF TIME – YET, AS YET,
ALREADY, JUST, SO FAR, UP TO NOW, DURING THE LAST FEW
WEEKS/MONTHS/YEARS ETC.

Examples • He has not come yet.

• The thief has not been caught so far.
• I have not seen her during the last few weeks.
USE: 4  FOR AN ACTION WHICH STARTED AT SOME TIME IN THE PAST AND IS
CONTINUING UP TO THE PRESENT MOMENT (OFTEN WITH ‘SINCE’ AND ‘FOR’
Examples • He has lived here for three years. ( is still living )
• She has worked here since 2001. ( is still working )
 STRUCTURES
AFFIRMATIVE  SUBJECT+ HAS/HAVE+ VERB-3+ OBJECT

Examples  I have met her.

 She has gone to the market.
NEGATIVE  SUBJECT+ HAS/HAVE+ NOT+ VERB-3+ OBJECT
Examples  She has not done well.
 I have not sung a song.
INTERROGATIVE  HAS/HAVE+ SUBJECT+VERB-3+ OBJECT+ ?
 ‘WH’ WORD+HAS/HAVE+ SUBJECT+VERB-3+ OBJECT+ ?
Examples  Has she sung a song?
 What have they eaten today?
INTERROGATIVE-  HAS/HAVE+ SUBJECT+ NOT+ VERB-3+ OBJECT+ ?
NEGATIVE  ‘WH’ WORD+ HAS/HAVE+ SUBJECT+ NOT+ VERB-3+ OBJECT+ ?
Examples  Have they not seen the Taj Mahal yet?
 Why has she not sung a song?
 4. PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE
USE: 1  FOR AN ACTION WHICH STARTED AT SOME TIME IN THE PAST AND IS
CONTINUING UP TO THE PRESENT MOMENT

Examples  He has been living here for three years.

 She has been working here since 2009.

USE: 2  IN THE INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES BEGINNING WITH ‘FOR HOW LONG’

OR ‘SINCE WHEN’

Examples  For how long have you been waiting for Mala?
 Since when has he been working in this office?

Use of ‘For’  For + period of time

• For five minutes, three days, two weeks, six years ,two centuries,
a long time etc.

Use of  Since + point of time

‘Since’ • Since 9 o’clock, 10 am, Monday, January, 2005, childhood etc.
 STRUCTURES
AFFIRMATIVE  SUBJECT + HAS/HAVE + BEEN + VERB – 4 + OBJECT + FOR/SINCE +
TIME + OTHER WORDS

Examples • I have been playing cricket since morning.

• My mother has been cooking food for two hours.
NEGATIVE  SUBJECT + HAS/HAVE + NOT + BEEN + VERB-4 + OBJECT +
FOR/SINCE + TIME + O.W
Examples • She has not been teaching here for years.
• I have not been working here since 2016.
INTERROGATIVE  HAS/HAVE + SUBJECT + BEEN + VERB-4 + OBJECT + FOR/SINCE +
TIME + O.W + ?
 ‘WH’ WORD + HAS/HAVE + SUBJECT + BEEN + VERB-4 + OBJECT +
FOR/SINCE + TIME + O.W + ?
Examples • Has he been living with you for two years?
• Have they been reading since morning?
• Why have they been playing football since morning?
INTERROGATIVE-  HAVE/HAS + SUBJECT + NOT + BEEN + VERB-4 + OBJECT +
NEGATIVE FOR/SINCE + TIME + O.W + ?
Example • Has he not been living in this house for a long tome?
• Have they not been sleeping since 8 o’clock?
 1. SIMPLE PAST TENSE
USE: 1  TO INDICATE AN ACTION COMPLETED IN THE PAST

Examples • He came here in 2001.

• My father died a month ago.
USE: 2  FOR A PAST HABIT

Examples • He studied many hours everyday.

• She always carried an umbrella.

STRUCTURES
AFFIRMATIVE: SUBJECT + VERB-2 (SECOND FORM OF VERB) + OBJECT
Examples: 1. I met him yesterday. 2. She sang a song in the party.
NEGATIVE: SUBJECT + DID + NOT (didn’t) + VERB-1 + OBJECT
Examples: 1. He did not see her. 2. The did not play football.
INTERROGATIVE: DID + SUBJECT + VERB-1 + OBJECT + ?
Examples: 1. Did she write a letter? 2. Did you play a game?
INTER- NEG: DID + SUBJECT + NOT + VERB-1+ OBJECT + ?
Examples: 1. Did they not clean the room? 2. Did you not buy a new car?
 PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE
USE: 1  FOR ACTION GOING ON AT SOME TIME IN THE PAST
Examples  I was reading a novel this morning.
 They were making a noise last night.
USE: 2  FOR AN ACTION GOING ON AT THE TIME WHEN A NEW ACTION
HAPPENED
Examples  When he came, I was watching television.
 While she was dancing, her father arrived.
STRUCTURES
AFFIRMATIVE SUBJECT + WAS/WERE + VERB-4 + OBJECT
Examples She was driving her car. I was doing my homework.
NEGATIVE SUBJECT + WAS/WERE + NOT + VERB-4 + OBJECT
Examples 1.He was not singing a song. 2.They were not eating mangoes.
INTERROGATIVE WAS/WERE + SUBJECT + VERB-4 + OBJECT + ?
Examples 1.Were you eating a mango? 2. Were they cooking food?
INTER- NEG WAS/WERE + SUBJECT + NOT + VERB-4 + OBJECT +?
Example 1. Was she not writing a letter? 2. Were they not playing hockey?
 PAST PERFECT TENSE
USE: 1. FOR AN ACTION WHICH HAS BEEN COMPLETED BEFORE ANOTHER WAS
COMMENCED

Examples I had reached the school before the bell rang.

He reached the station after the train had started.

NOTE: For two actions or events of the Past, follow these rules:
 Past Perfect + before + Simple Past
 Simple Past + after + Past Perfect

USE: 2  AFTER ‘IF, AS IF, AS THOUGH, I WISH, WE WISH’ TO EXPRESS AN

UNREAL SITUATION

Examples I wish I had seen Mahatma Gandhi. (which did not happen)
He speaks as if he had returned from London.
 STRUCTURES
AFFIRMATIVE SUBJECT + HAD + VERB-3 + OBJECT

Examples She had cooked food.

Ha had sung a song.

NEGATIVE SUBJECT + HAD + NOT + VERB-3 + OBJECT

Examples They had not attended the fuction.

She had not sung a song.

INTERROGATIVE HAD + SUBJECT + VERB-3 + OBJECT + ?

Examples Had she written a letter?

Had they attended the party?

INTER-NEGATIVE HAD + SUBJECT + NOT + VERB-3 + OBJECT + ?

Examples Had she not written a letter?

Had they not sung songs?
 PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE
USE: 1. TO DENOTE AN ACTION THAT BEGAN BEFORE A CERTAIN POINT IN THE
PAST AND CONTINUED UP TO SOME TIME IN PAST
Examples He had been reading for two hours when I arrived.
When I visited him in Delhi, he had been teaching there for five years.

STRUCTURES
AFFIRMATIVE SUBJECT + HAD + BEEN + VERB-4 + OBJECT + FOR/SINCE + TIME
Examples She had been singing songs for one hour.
I had been studying for three hours.
NEGATIVE SUBJECT + HAD + NOT + BEEN + VERB-4 + OBJECT + FOR/SINCE +
TIME
Example They had not been going to office since July.
INTERROGATIV HAD + SUBJECT + BEEN + VERB-4 + OBJECT + FOR/SINCE + TIME
E
Example Had you been reading the book since morning?
INTER- NEG. HAD + SUBJECT + NOT + BEEN + VERB-4 + OBJECT + FOR/SINCE +
TIME
Example Had they not been playing cricket for three hours.
 SIMPLE FUTURE TENSE
USE: FOR AN ACTION OR EVENT WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE FUTURE
Examples I shall do this work tomorrow.
He will wait for you at the station.

STRUCTURES
AFFIRMATIVE SUBJECT + SHALL/WILL + VERB-1 + OBJECT

Example He will sell his house.

I shall purchase a new car.
NEGATIVE SUBJECT + SHALL/WILL + NOT + VERB-1 + OBJECT
Examples I shall not do this work.
He will not go there.
INTERROGATIV WILL/SHALL + SUBJECT + VERB-1 + OBJECT + ?
E
Examples Shall I go there?
Will they sing songs?
INTER- NEG. WILL/SHALL + SUBJECT + NOT + VERB-1 + OBJECT + ?
Examples Will she not come in the party?
Will your friend not go there?
 FUTURE CONTINUOUS TENSE
USE: 1. FOR AN ACTION WHICH WILL BE GOING ON AT SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE
Examples: He will be sitting in the train at this time tomorrow.
I shall be teaching my students.
STRUCTURES
AFFIRMATIVE: SUBJECT + SHALL/WILL + BE + VERB-4 + OBJECT
Examples: Next year my teacher will be going to Patna.
They will be doing their home works.
NEGATIVE: SUBJECT + SHALL/WILL + NOT + BE + VERB-4 + OBJECT
Examples: They will not be studying in city college.
I shall not be bathing this evening.
INTERROGATIVE: WILL/SHALL + SUBJECT + BE + VERB-4 + OBJECT + ?
Examples: Will this boy be wandering in the forest?
Will he be reading this evening?
INTER-NEGATIVE: WILL/SHALL + SUBJECT + NOT + BE + VERB-4 + OBJECT + ?
Examples: Shall we not be singing songs?
Will Sita not be cooking food?
 FUTURE PERFECT TENSE
USE: 1. FOR AN ACTION WHICH WILL BE COMPLETED BY A CERTAIN FUTURE TIME
Examples: He will have returned home before Monday.
By this time tomorrow you will have reached Delhi.
STRUCTURES
AFFIRMATIVE: SUBJECT + SHALL/WILL + HAVE + VERB-3 + OBJECT
Examples: We shall have cooked the food by the evening.
Your examination will have been over by Tuesday.
NEGATIVE: SUBJECT + SHALL/WILL + NOT + HAVE + VERB-3 + OBJECT
Examples: I shall not have written the letter by noon.
He will not have finished the work by next June.
INTERROGATIVE: WILL/SHALL + SUBJECT + HAVE + VERB-3 + OBJECT + ?
Examples: Will they have returned home by Monday?
INTER- NEGATIVE: WILL/SHALL + SUBJECT + NOT + HAVE + VERB-3 + OBJECT + ?
Examples: Will he not have gone before I reach?
 FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE
USE: 1. FOR AN ACTION WHICH WILL CONTINUE UP TO A DEFINITE TIME
IN THE FUTURE
Examples: By the end of this month he will have been living there for four
years.
By next June you will have been living there for six months.

STRUCTURES
AFFIRMATIVE: SUBJECT+ WILL/SHALL+HAVE+ VERB-4+ OBJECT+ SINCE/FOR+ TIME
Examples: By next April we shall have been leaving for the USA.
NEGATIVE: SUBJECT+ WILL/SHALL+ NOT+ HAVE+ BEEN+ VERB-4+
OBJECT+ SINCE/FOR+ TIME
Examples: Mahima will not have been going to Kanpur for a long time.
I shall not have been writing for half an hour.
INTERROG: WILL/SHALL+ SUBJECT+ HAVE+ BEEN+ VERB-4+ OBJECT+ SINCE
/FOR+ TIME+ ---- ?
Example: Will she have been playing for some tome?
Will you have been going to school since 8 o’clock?