Tense Basics
Tense
The tense describes about the time and state of an action. Tense is the change of form in a verb, to express the time of an action.
In terms of time of an action, Tense can be in three forms i.e. Present tense, past tense, future tense.
- Present tense describes an action in the present time. Eg. Neha studies
- Past tense describes an action in the past time. Eg. Neha studied
- Future tense describes an action in the future time. Eg. Neha will study
In terms of state of an action, tense can be defined as simple tense, continuous tense, perfect tense & perfect continuous tense. Hence, present, past & future are the three main verbs of tense which are divided into simple, continuous, perfect & perfect continuous.
Present Tense: Use and its Structure
Simple Present Tense
This tense indicates the present time and state which is regular, custom, habitual, repetitive, human feelings, emotions, mental activity, fact, permanent action, any definite future course of action, and universal truth.
Structure:
General Sentence: - Subject + verb1 + object.
- We go for a morning walk every day. (correct) [go is in v1 form]
Question Form: - Question word+ helping verb + subject + verb1 + object [Question words- what, where, when, how etc. Helping verb- is/ am/ are/ do/ have etc.]
- What you are doing? (incorrect) [usage of ‘subject’ after ‘Question word’]
- What are you doing? (correct)
Other examples: -
- The party starts tonight at 9 o'clock. (correct)
- I work in the state bank of India. (correct)
- The earth revolves around the sun. (correct)
Present Continuous Tense
This tense indicates actions that are progressive and temporary in nature. It is also used to express any definite action about to occur in the near future.
Structure:
General Sentence: - Subject + verb+ing + object.
- Reema is watching T.V. (correct)
- I am going to my aunt’s house tomorrow. (correct)
Question Form: - Question word+ helping verb + subject + verb+ing + object
- Am I reading the best content right now? (correct)
Present Perfect Tense
This tense connects the past with the present. It is used to express any course of action that has completed just now.
Structure:
General Sentence: - Subject + has/ have+ verb3 + object.
- I have taken my lunch. (correct)
- The guests have arrived. (correct)
Question Form: - Question word + has/ have+ subject+ verb3 + object.
How much has he scored? (correct)
Present Perfect Continuous Tense
This tense represents some action started in past but continues in present also. It specifies the duration of action.
Structure:
General Sentence: - Subject + has/have + been + verb+ing + for/since + time information.
- They have been preparing for SSC CGL for the last two years. (correct)
Question Form: - Question word + has/have + subject + been + verb+ing + for/since + time information.
- What have you been reading this week? (correct)
Past Tense: Use and its Structure
Simple Past Tense
This tense indicates a past action. It is also used to express unfulfilled wish/ condition/ desire in present. For expression I wish/ It is time/ It is high time/ If/ As if etc. are used.
Structure:
General Sentence: - Subject + verb2 +object.
- She went to the theatre last night. (correct) [went is in v2 form]
Question Form: - Question word+ helping verb (was/were/did etc.) + subject + verb1 + object.
- How long did you study Mathematics? (correct)
- Was he sick? (correct)
Past Continuous Tense
This tense indicates the action that was going on in past.
Structure:
General Sentence: - Subject + was/were + verb+ing + object.
- Reema was watching T.V. (correct)
Question Form: - Question word+ helping verb (was/were) + subject + verb+ing + object
- Where was he coming from? (correct)
Past Perfect Tense
This tense indicates action occurred in the long past.
Structure:
General Sentence: - Subject + had + verb3 + object.
- My grandpa had known your father for many years. (correct)
Question Form: - Question word + had + subject+ verb3 + object.
- Why had Mr. Mittal gone to Mumbai? (correct)
Past Perfect Continuous Tense
This tense indicates action that began in past and continued for some time.
Structure:
General Sentence: - Subject + had + been + verb+ ing+ for/since + time information.
- She had been waiting for my mom for one hour. (correct)
Question Form: - Question word + had + subject + been + verb+ ing + for/since + time information.
- Where had she been reading English? (correct)
Future Tense: Use and its Structure
Future Tense: Use and its Structure
Simple Future Tense
This tense indicates an action that will happen in future.
Structure:
General Sentence: - Subject + shall/will + verb1 + object.
- I shall read tomorrow. (correct) [read is in v1 form]
Future Continuous Tense
This tense indicates the action that will be going on at some future time.
Structure:
General Sentence: - Subject + shall/will + be + verb+ing + object.
- They will be reading at that time. (correct)
Future Perfect Tense
This tense indicates an action that will be completed at some point of time in the future.
Structure:
General Sentence: - Subject + shall/will + have + verb3 + object.
- We shall have read this before the teacher come. (correct)
Future Perfect Continuous Tense (Skipped)
This tense is no longer in practical use.
Note: Usage of Shall/will: - shall is used with 1st person (I or we), will is used with 2nd & 3rd Person.
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