TENSES

1. SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE -

2.
3. PRESENT CONTINUOUS -
4.
5. PRESENT PERFECT
6.
7. PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
8.
9.
10.

1.
2.
3. SIMPLE PAST TENSE
4.
5. PAST CONTINUOUS
6.
7. PAST PERFECT

1. PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

2.
3.
4.

1. SIMPLE FUTURE TENSE

2.
3. FUTURE CONTINUOUS
4.
5. FUTURE PERFECT
 SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE
1. For current time frame – It is a very sunny afternoon.
2.
3.
4. Habitual or often repeated – He drinks tea every morning.
5.
6.
7. Universal truths – The earth revolves around the sun.
8.
9.
10. Action applicable to all time frames – Perseverance and dedication is usually
rewarded with success.
11.
12. To denote actions which are part of a fixed time table – The ‘ Celebration Tour’
begins next January.
13.
14. Used to denote a planned activity – The cruise leaves for Egypt next month.
15.
16. Used after the expression ‘going to’ -------------. Please get onto the bus , it is going
to leave.
17.
18. Used with (to be) +( about to) + base form of the verb --------- Please get onto the
bus , it is about to leave.
19.
20.

 PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE
• TEMPORARY ACTION – We are working on an important news item.
•
•
• PLANNED FUTURE ACTIVITY – The British Prime Minister is visiting us next year.
•
•
• Repeated actions - Mihika is always interrupting people.
•
•
• Describing trends, developments and changes - Mumbai is developing at an
abysmal rate.
•
•
• Used to speak about something that usually happens at a specific or defined point of
time, not necessarily at the present moment - He is working on this project
for the past one year.
 Exceptions when Present Continous tense is not used
• For habits – I take a bus to work everyday.
•
• Denote verbs of appearance – The deck wore a desolate look.
•
• Verbs of perception – The cake smells good.
•
• Universal truths – The earth revolves around the sun.
•
• Possession – Rohan has two children.
•
• To consider – Throughout the day Sam thinks of Ria.
•
•
 Present perfect tense
1. Beginning in past, still continuing - Ritesh has lived in India since his birth.
2.
3.
4. Beginning in past, recently concluded - Sushila has cut her hand.
5.
6.
7. Action is over at some unspecified moment of time -- Mr. Bannerjee has been to
Agra and has seen the Taj.
 Present Perfect Continuous
• The Municipal Corporation gas been repairing potholes for six months
•
• Rohan has been playing since the morning
 Simple past Tense

• The test was conducted last Sunday

•
• Rita participated in the beauty pageant that was held her city two years ago.
 Past Continuous Tense

• Sridhar was teaching at a management institute for three years.

•
•
• The children were studying when the parents returned home.
 PAST PERFECT TENSE

• Sam was speechless. He had never seen such a spectacle.

 PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

• Rushi had been plotting for this for

two months when the surprise raids
washed away all her plans.
 SIMPLE FUTURE TENSE

• Seema will overcome her stage fright

by the end of this month.
 Future continuous tense
• Richard will be studying at the
University of Essex for two years.
 Future perfect tense
• Sushila will have been married by the
time her sister returns from the
States.
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
 We will have been working on the
project for two years by the time you
join us next year.
 Some more rules pertaining
•
to tenses
If the main clause ( MC) is in Present tense or Future tense then the
subordinate clause ( SC) can be Past tense or any other tense.----- I
understand that you were not well.
•
• If MC is in past tense the SC MAY BE IN SIMPLE PAST OR PAST PERFECT,
------- He emphasized that the time was not ripe.
•
• If MC is in Past tense , then SC will be in Present Tense ( if SC is a general
truth), ------ The teacher taught us that honesty is the best policy.
•


• If two past things precedes one another then the earlier action will be in Past
Perfect and the latter one will be in Simple Present. ----- Most of the
passengers were fast asleep as it had been a hard day for all.
•
• ‘Since’/’ever since’ – is followed by Present Perfect Tense. ---
Deodharhas been looking for Tina ever since he first saw her.
•
• (it is ) + ( a period) + since -------- we have to use Past Tense or Past
Perfect Tense, -------- -------- It is two weeks since the Venus
set sail