TENSE

 TENSE

The English noun ‘tense’ is derived from the Old French tens "time" (spelt temps in contemporary French), which is derived from the Latin tempus "time."

Tense is defined as the form of the verb that shows or indicates the time of action. In other words, 'tense' denotes the relationship between an action and its time of occurrence. 'Time' refers to the duration of work and 'action' refers to the work/task done. The tense of a verb shows the time of an action or state of being. Different forms of verbs show different tenses.

There are three phases of time:

1. Present (time that is now)

2. Past (time that has passed)

3. Future (time that is yet to come)

Consider the sentences that follow.

Examples: 1. Rahul eats a mango. (An action of present tense – verb ‘eats’ shows the tense).

2. Hari was in the school. (A state of being in school – verb ‘was’ shows the tense).

3. He will eat a mango. (An action of future tense).

CLASSIFICATION OF TENSES

There are three main tenses: 1. Present Tense, 2. Past Tense, and 3. Future tense.

Each tense is further subdivided into four different forms. Examine any one of the charts below to learn more about all tenses and their forms.

1.

2.

Let us go over this in detail.

1. Present Indefinite Tense (also called Simple Present Tense.)

This tense is used in the following ways.

(a) To express habitual action/habit or custom. In other words, the Simple Present tense is used to indicate an action in the present time that is generally done on a regular basis. Examples: 1. I watch television on Sunday. 2. I take exercise every morning.

(b) To discuss a general or universal truth. Also, any scientific fact is expressed using the Simple Present tense. Examples: 1. The sun sets in the west. 2. Honesty is the best policy.

(c) To indicate a future event which is part of a plan or arrangement. Examples: 1. The school reopens next week. 2. The examination starts next month.

(d) To introduce quotes with the verb ‘says.’ Examples: 1. Einstein says, “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” 2.Nelson Mandela says, “A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.”

(e) Vivid narration, as a substitute for the simple past. In other words, we use the simple present tense to express the ‘graphical truth’ or the ‘historical truth.’ Examples: 1. The king rushes to the battlefield. 2. Ravana fights bravely.

(f) To use exclamatory sentences that begin with ‘here’ or ‘there’. Examples: 1. Here comes our teacher! 2. There he goes!  

(g) In the case of time clauses and conditional clauses, instead of simple future. Examples: 1. If it rains, I shall not go out. 2. If you do not work hard, you will fail.

RULES FOR AFFIRMATIVE SENTENCES.

1. Singular subject + V1 (Base/Present Form of the verb) + s/es (If the subject is the third person) + O

Examples: 1. I play cricket. 2. He plays football.

2. Plural subject + V1 (Base/Present Form of the verb) + O

Examples: 1. We study in this school. 2. They study in that school.

RULES FOR NEGATIVE SENTENCES.

1. Singular subject + do/does not (‘does’ is used if the subject is the third person) + V1 (Base/Present Form of the verb)  + O

Examples: I do not play cricket. 2. Rebati does not play tennis.

2. Plural subject + do not + V1 (Base/Present Form of the verb)  + O

Example: They do not like cricket.

RULES FOR INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES.

1. Do/Does (‘does’ is used if the subject is the third person) + Subject + V1 (Base/Present Form of the verb)  + O?

Examples: 1. Do you play cricket? 2. Does she wash clothes?

2. Do + Subject + V1 (Base/Present Form of the verb)  + O?

Example: 1. Do they do the homework regularly?

3. Question word + Do/Does (‘does’ is used if the subject is the third person) + Subject + V1 (Base/Present Form of the verb)  + O?

Example: 1. Whom do you teach? 2. Why does she go there?

 

2. Past Indefinite Tense (also called Simple Past Tense.)

The Past Indefinite or the Simple Past test is used:

(a) To indicate a previously performed action and to report completed actions. It is frequently used in recounts and narratives. Example: 1. I met him last week. 2. I visited my uncle 2 months ago.

(b) To indicate past habits or repeated events that are now over. Examples: 1. I always rode to school when I was young. 2. I studied French when I was a child.

(c) The habitual past can also be expressed by using ‘used to.’ Examples: 1. I used to go swimming when I was a child. 2. My father used to read the Mahabharata every day.

(d) The Simple Past tense is sometimes used without an adverb of time. In such cases, the time may be assumed or indicated by the context. Example: 1. I learnt English in New York.

(e) To indicate another action that occurred in the middle of a longer action. Examples: 1. He came while I was watching my favourite movie. 2. I was studying when she called.

RULES FOR AFFIRMATIVE SENTENCES.

1. Subject + V2 (Second Form or the Past Form of the verb) + O

Example: I played cricket yesterday.

RULES FOR NEGATIVE SENTENCES.

 Subject + did not + V1 (First form or the Present Form of the verb) + O

Example: I did not play cricket.

RULES FOR INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES.

1. Did + Subject + V1 (First Form or the Present Form of the verb) + O?

Example: Did you play cricket?

2. Question word + Did + Subject + V1 (First Form or the Present Form of the verb) + O?

Example: What did you play?

3. Future Indefinite Tense (also called Simple Future Tense.)

The Future Indefinite or the Simple Future tense is used:

(a) To say or express what we believe or think will happen in future. Examples: 1. They will go to school. 2. We will play the match.

(b) To state or express things which we cannot control and are factual. Example: The Sun will rise at 6:00 AM.

(c) To indicate an instant decision. Example: It is your birthday. I shall give you a gift.

RULES FOR AFFIRMATIVE SENTENCES.

Subject + shall/will + V1 (First Form or the Present Form of the verb) + O.

Example: 1. He will play the match. 2. I shall go there.

NOTE: ‘shall’ is used in the case of First Person Pronouns.

RULES FOR NEGATIVE SENTENCES.

Subject + shall/will + not + V1 (First Form or the Present Form of the verb) + O.

Example: 1. He will not play the match. 2. I shall not go there.

NOTE: ‘shall’ is used in the case of First Person Pronouns.

RULES FOR INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES.

1. Will/shall + Subject + V1 (First Form or the Present Form of the verb) + O?

Example: Will he play the match?

2. Question word + Will/shall + Subject + V1 (First Form or the Present Form of the verb) + O?

Example: What will you do there?

4. Present Continuous Tense (also called Present Progressive Tense.)

The Present Continuous or Present Progressive tense is used:

(a)  To describe an ongoing action and the continuation of the action. Examples: 1. She is singing a song. 2. We are reading a book.

(b) An action that is not happening at the time of speaking but is in progress. Examples: 1. He is working in this company. 2. They are studying in this school.

(c) To denote a persistent and undesirable or bad habit, particularly with adverbs such as ‘always’, ‘continually’, ‘constantly’, etc. Example: He is constantly staring at me.

(d) To indicate an action that has been pre-arranged to take place in the near future. Examples: 1. I am going to organise the function. 2. The wedding is going to take place on Wednesday.

RULES FOR AFFIRMATIVE SENTENCES.

1. Singular subject + am/is + V1 (First Form or the Present Form of the verb) + ing + O.

Examples: 1. I am reading a book. 2. She is singing a song.

2. Plural subject + are + V1 (First Form or the Present Form of the verb) + ing + O.

Example: They are going to school.

RULES FOR NEGATIVE SENTENCES.

1. Singular subject + am/is + not + V1 (First Form or the Present Form of the verb) + ing + O.

Examples: 1. I am not going to school. 2. He is not reading the book.

2. Plural subject + are + not + V1 (First Form or the Present Form of the verb) + ing + O.

Example: They are not attending the meeting.

RULES FOR INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES.

1. Am/is/are + Subject + V1 (First Form or the Present Form of the verb) + ing + O.

Examples: 1. Are you reading this book? 2. Is she going to school?

2. Question word + am/is/are + Subject + V1 (First Form or the Present Form of the verb) + ing + O.

Examples: 1. What is Savita doing? 2. Why are you doing this?

5. Past Continuous Tense (also called Past Progressive Tense.)

The Past Continuous or Past Progressive tense is used:

(a) To refer to an action that was happening at some time in the past. The time of action may or may not be specified. Example: We were doing our homework.

(b) Used with ‘always’, ‘continually’, etc. for persistent habits in the past. Example: He was always sulking.

(c) The Past Continuous tense is also used for an action that was going on during a given period or at a period of time in the past. Example: While I was filling in the hole, the dog was digging another.

RULES FOR AFFIRMATIVE SENTENCES.

1. Singular subject + was + V1 (First Form or the Present Form of the verb) + ing + O.

Example: I was doing my homework.

2. Plural subject + were + V1 (First Form or the Present Form of the verb) + ing + O.

Example: They were going to school.

RULES FOR NEGATIVE SENTENCES.

1. Singular subject + was + V1 (First Form or the Present Form of the verb) + ing + O.

Example: I was doing my homework.

1. Singular subject + was + not + V1 (First Form or the Present Form of the verb) + ing + O.

Example: I was not doing my homework.

2. Plural subject + were + not + V1 (First Form or the Present Form of the verb) + ing + O.

Example: They were not going to school.

RULES FOR INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES.

1. Was/were + Subject V1 (First Form or the Present Form of the verb) + ing + O?

Examples: 1. Was he reading the book? 2. Were you reading the book?

2. Question word + Was/Were + subject + V1 (First Form or the Present Form of the verb) + ing + O?

Examples: 1. Why was she going there? 2. What were you doing there?

6. Future Continuous Tense (also called Future Progressive Tense.)

The Future Continuous or Future Progressive Tense is used:

(a) To denote an activity or action that will take place in the normal course. Example: mother will be cooking the food tonight.

(b) To indicate an action that will be in progress at some point of time in the future. Example: We shall be watching the movie at this time tomorrow.

RULES FOR AFFIRMATIVE SENTENCES.

Subject + Shall/will + be + V1 (First Form or the Present Form of the verb) + ing + O.

NOTE: ‘shall’ is used in the case of First Person Pronouns.

Examples: 1. I shall be listening to my teacher. 2. Next year my father will be going to the USA.

RULES FOR NEGATIVE SENTENCES.

Subject + Shall/will + not + be + V1 (First Form or the Present Form of the verb) + ing + O.

NOTE: ‘shall’ is used in the case of First Person Pronouns.

Examples: 1. They will not be studying in this college. 2. I shall not be attending the party.

RULES FOR INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES.

1. Will/shall + Subject + be + V1 (First Form or the Present Form of the verb) + ing + O?

Example: Will they be studying in this college?

2. Question word + Will/shall + Subject + be + V1 (First Form or the Present Form of the verb) + ing + O?

Example: How long will you be studying?

7. Present perfect Tense.

The Present Perfect tense is used:

(a) To express a recently accomplished action. Examples: 1. They have won the match. 1. I have just come.

 (b) To describe an action whose time is not given. Examples; 1. Have you ever met her? 2. I have done it.

(c) To describe past events whose effect still exists. Example - We have won the match and now we are happy.

(d) To show how a previous event relates to the present. Example: I have visited the place, so I can tell you the way to this place. 

RULES FOR AFFIRMATIVE SENTENCES.

Subject + Have/Has + V3 (third or the past participle form of the verb) + O

1. I have gone to the market. 2. She has gone to the market.

RULES FOR NEGATIVE SENTENCES.

Subject + have/Has + Not + V3 (third or the past participle form of the verb) + O

1. I have not gone to the market 2. She has not gone to the market.

RULES FOR INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES.

1. Have/Has + Subject + V3 (third or the past participle form of the verb) + O

1. Has she gone to the market? 2. have you gone to the market?

2. Question word + Have/Has + Subject + V3 (third or the past participle form of the verb) + O

1. Where have you gone? 2. has she seen the Tajmahal?

8. Past perfect Tense.

The Past Perfect Tense is used:

(a) To indicate an action that was completed before a definite time or before another action that took place in the past. For example, She reached here after you had gone.

(b) It indicates desires in the past that have not been fulfilled. For example, I wish I had not wasted my money.

(c) It expresses those conditions of the past that were impossible to fulfil. For example, If you had invited him, he would have come.