Using Tenses in English: Past, Present, Future

This Book Covers The Following Topics:

What are “Tenses”?

AGREEMENT between SUBJECT and VERB

TWENTY-FOUR Auxiliary Verbs

REGULAR AND IRREGULAR VERBS

PRESENT TENSE

Present Indefinite Tense

Present Continuous/Progressive Tense

Present Perfect Tense

Present Perfect Continuous/Progressive Tense

PAST TENSE

Past Indefinite Tense

Past Continuous/Progressive Tense

Past Perfect Tense

Past Perfect Continuous/Progressive Tense

FUTURE TENSE

Future Indefinite Tense

Future Continuous/Progressive Tense

Future Perfect Tense

Future Perfect Continuous/Progressive Tense

Useful Notes

Exercises

Sample This:

Tenses could be defined as “any of the form of a verb that may be used to show the time of the action or an event or state expressed by the verb”.

THERE ARE THREE KINDS OF TENSES:

The Past Tense – The form of a verb that usually expresses an action that happened in the past

[Action happened before present]

The Present Tense – The form of a verb that usually expresses an action that happens at this time

[Action happens in present]

The Future Tense – The form of a verb that usually expresses an action that will happen in future

[Action will happen after present]

EACH OF THESE THREE KINDS OF SENTENCES HAS FOUR TYPES OF FORMS:

Indefinite or Simple Form

Continuous or Progressive Form

Perfect Form

Perfect Continuous or Perfect Progressive Form

EACH OF THESE FOUR TYPES OF FORMS HAS FOUR KINDS OF STATEMENTS:

Affirmative Statement --

Used to Show ‘Agreement’

Negative Statement --

Used to Show ‘Disagreement’

Interrogative Statement --

Used to Ask ‘Question’

Interrogative-Negative Statement --

Used to Ask ‘Question’ and Show ‘Disagreement’

Present Indefinite Tense

Expresses –

Permanent situation [in the past, present and future]

Example: Our family lives in Seattle.

General truth (fact or statement)

Example: Clean water is fundamental to public health.

Example: Many barrages have no utility and cause floods.

Habitual action [actions that occur regularly]

Example: She listens to music every day.

‘Future meaning’ (timetable, planned event, etc.)

Example: My shop closes at 9 pm.

Example: The train arrives at 7:30 pm.

Traditions, rituals, customs

Example: Indians celebrate the festival of light in the month of Oct-Nov.

Commands and Instructions [Imperative Sentences]

[Note: In imperatives, subject ‘you’ remains hidden]

Example: Condemn perpetrators of terrorism.

Example: Promote values of humanity and tolerance.

Example: Tell us about the exact nature of your work.

Used in if-clause of present and future real conditional sentences

Example: If I go there, I meet him.

Example: If things don't work out, we won't be panicked.

Headlines in news reporting [Use of simple present tense instead of the simple past tense is common in news headlines]

Example: Flight skids on landing at the airport.

Example: Thunderstorm brings relief to residents.

(A). AFFIRMATIVE PATTERN –

subject + first form of main verb + other words

Singular Verb is used with the subject ‘He and She’ + All Singular Subjects.

Plural Verb is used with the subject ‘I, We, You and They’ + All Plural Subjects.

Examples:

He/She talks. I/We/You/They talk.

We seek opportunities to chart out our own course.

The lean margin of victory or defeat gives an impression of a tough contest.

Nowadays, voters value development over other issues.

They want civic amenities and employment opportunities.

(B). NEGATIVE PATTERN –

subject + auxiliary verb ‘do/does’ + not + first form of main verb + other words

Auxiliary Verb ‘Does’ is used with the subject ‘He and She’ + All Singular Subjects.

Auxiliary Verb ‘Do’ is used with the subject ‘I, We, You and They’ + All Plural Subjects.

Examples:

He/She does not talk. I/We/You/They do not talk.

Most buses do not cater to interior parts of the villages.

He does not know what to say.