Tense | Types of tenses | Examples of tenses | sentences
‖ TENSES ‖
The Tense of a Verb indicates the time reference of the action stated in the present, past, or future sentence. The principal tense forms are — simple, continuous, perfect, and perfect continuous.
Thus, there are twelve tense forms in total. The tense of the verb brings about some changes in the verb form.
The functions of these tense forms may be distinct or overlapping, i.e., in some cases, more than one tense form may be used.
TYPES OF TENSES 一
Present Indefinite Tense (Simple Present Tense)
Present indefinite tense (simple present tense): This tense keeps the dictionary form of the verb in the first and second person singular and plural and third person plural. In the third person singular, the form is v + s/es, e.g.,
Example of simple present tense:-
I read, We read, You read, They read.
He reads, She reads, Ram reads, Sita reads.
Uses of simple present tense: Present Indefinite tense has a large range of uses. On occasion, it can even express past or future time references. This tense
一 Expresses a routine or habitual action, e.g., He studies four hours every day.
一 Expresses universal unchanging truths, e.g., The sun rises in the east.
一 Is used in adverb clauses of condition when the main clause is in the future tense, e.g., If it rains, we will stay indoors.
一 Is used in running commentaries.
一 Is used in vivid, dramatic narratives.
一 Is used with verbs that express ‘going’ shortly, e.g., He goes/leaves/ sails/ flies tomorrow morning.
Present Indefinite and Present Continuous Tense
Present Indefinite tense and Present Continuous tense:- this tense may be studied together. Sometimes they may replace each other as in immediate future time reference with verbs of going, but usually, they have their distinct uses.
Present Indefinite tense usually indicates activities that are permanent true, or confirmed habits or practices.
1. Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
2. The Ganga flows into the Bay of Bengal.
3. He normally goes to work by car.
Example and uses of present indefinite tense:-
Present Continuous tense indicates activities that are taking place at the moment of stating, or are temporary or last for a shorter duration.
Examples and uses of present continuous tense:-
1. The water is boiling. (at this moment)
2. The Ganga is flowing fast today. (temporary)
3. He is going to work by bus today. (short duration)
Note: Sometimes passive form of the verb is also used.
e.g., The water is being boiled on an electric stove.
Present Perfect Tense
Present perfect tense structure : have + ⅠⅠⅠrd form of a verb
Uses of present perfect tense: This tense links the immediate past time reference to the present.
It indicates an event or act just completed, but which has a bearing on the present, e.g., I have fractured my arm. It is extremely painful.
一 This tense also indicates an action begun in the past, Which is continuing in the present, e.g.,
I have lived in Delhi for a long time (he still lives in Delhi)
Thus the action has been completed in the past but has relevance in the present, also.
We may use the present perfect and the simple past tense in the same sentence.
When we wish to indicate a definite time in the past, we use simple past tense, e.g.,
The conference in Europe has ended: the prime minister returned this evening.
Present Perfect Tense should not be used with adverbs showing past time reference. It is incorrect to say一
I have seen him yesterday.
I saw him yesterday. Correct.
Simple Present Tense and Present Perfect Tense
Look at these two sentences:
I live in this house.
I have lived in this house for twelve years.
We cannot mention the duration of the activity if we use the simple present tense. For this, we have to use the Present Perfect Tense.
Present Perfect Continuous Tense
Form: have+ been+ Ist form of verb + ing
Uses: This tense expresses an action that began in the past and is still continuing or has just been completed, e.g.,
How long have been standing in the sun?
I have been traveling a lot and now I shall write a book.
Simple Present Tense, Present Perfect Continuous Tense, Present Perfect Tense
Look at this dialogue. Pay particular attention to the parts in bold.
A: Mr Ramchandran writes novels.
B: How long has he been writing novels?
A: He has been writing novels for thirteen years.
B: How many novels has he written so far?
A: He has written twenty novels so far.
The present simple 一 writes 一 is used to talk about a general truth or long-lasting activities.
The present perfect progressive 一 has been writing 一 is used to say how long something has been happening.
The present perfect 一 has written 一 is used to say how frequently somebody has done something.
Past Indefinite Tense (Simple Past Tense)
Form: ⅠⅠnd form of the verb
Uses: When we wish to indicate an action completed in the past at a definite time, we use the past indefinite tense. Usually, adverbials of time are used with this tense, e.g.,
I reached Mumbai yesterday.
一 This tense is used when we wish to state a fact or habit condition or state in the past, e.g., Long time ago, people were honest.
India gave the decimal system to the world.
一 ‘Did’ is used for making negatives and questions, e.g., did not + Ist form of the verb.
You did not finish your work.
Did you finish your work?
An error that students very often make is to use the simple past tense in the verb when it has already been used in ‘did’. It is wrong to say ‘You did not finish your work’.
Present Perfect Tense and Simple Tense/Indefinite Past Tense
Present Perfect tense is used to show an act or even just finished, the effect of which continues in the present.
e.g., I have hurt my knee; therefore. I cannot walk properly.
Simple/Past Indefinite is used to indicate an act or event finished in the past at sometimes which does not affect the present.
e.g., I hurt my knee last week.
Past Perfect Tense
Form: had+ ⅠⅠⅠrd form of verb
Uses: This tense indicates the event that took place earlier in the past where two events occurring in the past are stated. The later event is indicated by the simple past tense, e.g.,
I had finished my homework when my friend came.
The fire had consumed the huts before the fire brigade arrived.
一 Past perfect tense is used in converting direct speech into indirect speech when the introductory verb is in the past tense.
He said. “I went to Delhi.”
He said that he had gone to Delhi.
一 This tense is also used to express an unfulfilled wish, e.g.,
I wish I had accepted the proposal.
Simple Past Tense, Past Continuous Tense, Past Perfect Tense
Look at these two sentences,
- We had lunch at 2 o’clock.
- We had lunch when she arrived.
Both at 2 o’clock and when she arrived to function as adverbials of time. They indicate a point in time.
Now, look at these two sentences again.
- We had lunch at 2 o’clock.
- We had lunch when she arrived.
When an adverbial showing a point of time is used with a clause having past simple tense, the activity mentioned in the clause begins at or after that point of time.
Look at these two sentences.
- I was working when she arrived.
- I had finished my work when she arrived.
Notice that the adverbial of time takes the simple past tense. Past continuous is used to indicate that an activity was going on when another activity took place. Past perfect is used for that activity which began and concluded before another took place.
Indicating Future activities
will, going to, simple present Tense
Look at this dialogue.
A: There is no bread for tomorrow’s breakfast.
B: Don’t bother. I will go and get some.
Here, will is used to talk about a future activity that the speaker decides to do at the time of speaking.
Now, look at these dialogues.
A: The telephone is dead again.
B: I know. I am going to lodge a complaint when I reach the office.
A: Look at those black clouds.
B: Yes, it is going to rain. We can’t go for a walk now.
Going to 一 as in am going to lodge and is going to rain 一 is used to talk about a future activity that the speaker has already decided to do or when he feels that it will happen shortly because there are already signs that indicate it’s happening.
Now, look at these sentences.
I have got the reservations done. We are going to Goa next week.
The present progressive 一 as in are going 一 is used to talk about a future activity that has already been decided upon and arrangements for which have been made.
Now, look at these sentences.
- The prime Minister leaves on a seven-day tour of West Asia next Sunday.
- According to the timetable, the plane arrives at 11.55.
The present simple 一 as in leaves and arrives 一 is used to talk about a future activity that is seen as certain to happen because of programs or timetables,
We talk about future activities that are about to take place shortly in four different ways expressing four different kinds of meanings.
Will
‘Will’ is an auxiliary verb and a modal. Its most common use is to express future -= time reference. Some uses of ‘will’ are
一 for making predictions.
一 for making polite requests in the form of questions
一 for asking about a future program.
Look at these sentences.
The next total solar eclipse will be after five years.
In the rest of the country, the weather will remain mainly dry.
Will 一 as in will be and will remain 一 is used to talk about predictions, that is, for events over which the speaker has no control.
Will you buy some bread while returning from the office?
Will in such questions is used to make a request.
Remember: Such a question with will is ambiguous. It could be taken as a request or as a query asking for a future program.
Now, look at these questions.
1. Will you come tomorrow?
2. Will you be coming tomorrow?
While 1 is ambiguous, 2 is not, Sentence 2 is clearly a query asking for a future program.
Will be doing
The future continuous tense is used to talk about future actions. It is formed by the ‘will be’ + ‘ing’ form of the verb. There are two different uses.
The future continuous tense is used to indicate an action over some time. It shows that we will be engaged in an action at some time in the future.
Read the following sentences.
(a) A: Please come to our house this evening to meet special guests.
B: I wish I could. I will be working late tonight.
(b) When my uncle arrives tomorrow, I will be writing my examination.
(c) This time next week, we will be traveling to Goa.
(d) Take a break. You will not be working on a national holiday.
A comparison of the use of continuous tense will help us to understand clearly the time reference.
1. This time last week we were traveling to Goa. (Past Continuous)
2. At this moment we are traveling to Goa. (Present Continuous)
3. This time next week we will be traveling to Goa (Future Continuous)
Look at the two uses of the Future Continuous Tense in the sentence given below:
The second use of the future continuous tense is to indicate an event or action that will occur over time because it is part of a plan or a schedule.
(a) The flight from Mumbai will be arriving at 8 p.m.
(b) The winter session of the Parliament will be beginning from December 7.
We can express the same using ‘will’ or present continuous also.
The Prime Minister will be reaching / will reach/reaches/is reaching London tomorrow.
We can use the future continuously to ask about someone’s plan or program.
(a) Will you be going out tomorrow?
(b) Will you be working late tonight?
(c) Will you be visiting the library today?