TENSE RULES

TENSE

The word 'Tense' comes from the Latin word 'Tempus', which means time. Therefore, tenses indicate time. Tense is the form of a verb that tells us the time of action i.e. present. past and future. There are four subcategories of tenses.

1. Simple Tense - Simple or indefinite tense is is utilized for habitual or regular actions in the present tense, actions which are over in the past tense and actions to occur later on.

2. Continuous or Progressive Tense - it is used when the action is continuous(in progress) or going on.

3. Perfect Tense - It is utilized when the action is finished concerning a specific point of time.

4. Perfect Continuous Tense - Perfect continuous tense is used when The action is going on constantly over a significant period of time and is yet to be done or finished. 

THE DIFFERENT TENSES AND THE VERB FORMS

Uses of simple present/present indefinite tense:

1. To express a habitual or regular action.
Example - I get up early in the morning. I go to school every day.
2. To express a scientific truth.
Example - The  earth moves around the sun.
3. To introduce a quotation. 
Example - Swami Vivekananda says, "You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself."
4. In exclamatory sentences starting with 'here' and 'there' to express what is really occurring in the present.
Example - There goes our leader!
5. When two actions of the future are being discussed, one reliant(dependent) on the other, the former action is mentioned by simple present or present indefinite  and the later by simple future tense.
Example - I shall not go out if it rains.

Uses of present continuous/progressive tense:

1. For an action in progress at the time of speaking (at the moment)
Example - We are watching TV now/at the moment.
2. For an action that is planned or arranged to take place in the near future.
Example - My uncle is driving me to the airport this Friday.
NOTE: In any case, it isn't good to utilize the present continuous tense for somewhat distant future. So, we shouldn't say - My uncle is driving me to the airport next week.
3. At the point when the reference is to a specific obstinate habit, the present continuous tense is used rather than simple present. An adverb like always, constantly, continually is additionally used.
Example - It is no use of telling him; he is always doing the same. (correct)
It is no use of telling him; he always does the same. (incorrect)


Uses of present perfect tense:

1 With actions that happened in the past at an unspecified time.
Example - They have already taken the test.
2. With actions that started before and continue to the present.
Example - I have lived in this house for five years.
NOTE:  Present Perfect Continuous can also be used
3. With actions that have never happened.
Example - I have never gone to America.

Uses of present perfect continuous tense:

1. With actions that began in the past and continue to the present.
Example - She has been writing since 7 A.M. 

EXERCISE

Use the  verbs in parentheses in correct form.

1. My children ___ to play in the park. (love)
2. She  _____ her  18th birthday! (celebrate)
3. She  never _____ a car. (buy)
4. We ____  for  you  to arrive for over an hour.  (wait)
5. She ___ to cinema every Sunday. (go)
6. My friends ____ the homework on time. (not do)
7. His sisters ____ ballet dancers. (be)
8. ___ you like to ___ the movies? (go)
9. I ____ from him for two weeks. (not hear)
10. This is the best book I ___ . (ever read)