1

English Series 12
Section Grammar
6. Tense

A. Present tense.
i) Simple present tense. (sub+v1
/V
5+object)
The simple present is used:
To express universal/ general truths
The sun rises in the east. Water boils at 100
0
C.
Blood is red. The earth moves round the sun.
To express habitual actions/ regular actions
She takes a glass of milk every morning.
I always go to temple. He never has wine.
Generally, simple present is used with the following adverbs.
always/ seldom/ daily/ usually/ occasionally/ hardly/ now-a-days/rarely/
sometimes/ never/ generally/ frequently/ often/ everyday/ every week/
every month/ every year/ once a week/ twice a day/ trice a month

To express scheduled future actions/ future actions with present
time table,
The bus leaves at 5 pm. I take 5 o'clock plane tomorrow.
To express English proverbs and quotations.
Man is mortal. Honesty is the best policy.
All that glitters is not gold.
ii. Present continuous tense. (Sub+is/am/ are/ V4+object)
The present continuous tense

is used:
To express an action going on at the time of speaking;
They are walking on the road now.
He is still sitting under the tree.
This tense often occurs with the following adverbs
now/ still/ at present/ at the moment/ at this time
For an action that is planned or arranged to take place in the near
future;
My sister is arriving tomorrow.
We are going to Kathmandu next month.
After short expressions that draw attention.
2

Look! He is coming here.
Hurry up! The bus is leaving
Do not make a noise! The child is sleeping.
Note: Stop! Listen! Look! Don't disturb! Don't cross the road!
After 'but today/ but now'
They always go to school on foot but today/ but now they are riding on
bicycles.
iii. Present perfect tense (Sub+has/ have+V
3
+obj)
The present perfect is used.
To denote a completed action in the recent past
It often occurs with the adverb' just'
I have just finished the work. She has just come from London.
To denote recent past actions which have results in the present;
She has played volleyball. (She is sweating)
I have cut my finger. (It's bleeding)
With 'since + point of time or for + period' of time to denote an
action beginning at sometime in the past and continuing up to the
present moment:
I haven't known them for 10 years.
To express interesting incidents or experiences;
I have seen one-horned rhino in jungle.
I have spent two months in South Korea.
With adverbs like already, recently, ever, lately, never, yet, just, today
etc
They have never seen the sea. They have recently published the book.
I have not written the document yet.
v) Present perfect continuous tense (Sub +has/have +been +V
4
+obj)
This tense is used for an action which began at some time in the past
and is still continuing.
I have been waiting her for six hours.
She has been living in this village since 2061 B.S.
Since +point of time', 'for +period of time +now', 'all +present time'
She has been practising dance all this morning.
B. Past tense
i) Simple past (Sub

+ V
2 +
obj)
This tense is used:
To denote an action completed in the past:
Manju's father died of cancer last year.
They passed the exam in 1999.
Yesterday, ago, last +time (night/ week/ day/ month/ year), in the past,
in +past time, for example, in 2060 B.S.
To express past habits.
We went to temple everyday .(But not now)
With when clause,
3

When his father came in, he started reading the book.
ii) Past continuous tense: (Sub +was/ were +V
4
+ obj)
This tense is used:
To denote an action going at sometime in the past;
He was washing clothes all morning yesterday.
It was raining all day yesterday.
It often occurs with ' all +past time':
all day yesterday, all last night, / Sunday/ week/ month year
etc.
With while clause,
The phone rang while I was eating rice.
iii) Past perfect tense (sub +had +V
3
+ obj)
This tense is used to denote an action completed before a
certain moment in the past,
I met him in Kathmandu in 2005. I had seen him last three
years before.
It is also used to show which of two actions in the past
happened earlier than the other,
The boy went home after he had completed the work.
The boy had completed the work before he went home.
When he reached home, his father had been taken to hospital.
Simple past for 2
nd
action
Past perfect for 1st action
past tense with 'as soon as'
As soon as +simple past, simple past (if two actions happen in
the past more or less at the same time)
As soon as I had breakfast, I went to office.
As soon as +past perfect simple past (If two actions happen in
the past one after another)
As soon as I had completed my work, I went for dinner.
iv) Past perfect continuous tense (sub +had +been +V
4
+obj)
This tense is used for an action that began at certain point in
the past and continued up to that time,
When I came to Kathmandu two years ago, Mr. Adhikari had
already been working there for six months.
C. Future tense.
i. A Simple future tense. (sub +shall/ will +V
1
+obj)
This tense is used:
For an action that has still to take place, I will go to Kathmandu
next week.
He will be married soon.
Soon, tomorrow, tonight, shortly, next time (day, week, month,
and year)
With 'If clause'
If it rains, I won't go to office.
If I pass the exam, I will have the job.
ii. Future continuous tense (sub +shall /will +be +V
4
+object)
This tense is used:
4

For an action going on at some time in future .
They will be reading books all the morning tomorrow.
For future events that are planned
He will be talking to us next week.
iii. Future perfect tense (Sub +shall/will +have +V3 + Object)
This tense is used to indicate the completion of action by a certain
future time,
I will have finished the work by tomorrow.
By 2013, she will have passed the exam.
Before you go to see her, she will have left home.
I will have written a novel before March.
by + time/ before + time/ before + time clause

iv. Future perfect continuous tense (Sub +shall/will +have +been +V4
+ Object)
By next year, she will have been teaching in the school for three
years.
In two months, I will have been learning music for a year.
'By/ before + future time' and 'for+ period of time'
'In + period of time' and 'for + period of time'

7. Direct and Indirect Speech

Direct speech: Speaker's actual words are quoted, for example, Rakesh said," I am
very hungry now."
Indirect speech: Without quoting the speaker's actual words, what he/ she is said is
reported, for example, Rakesh said that he was hungry then.

Rakesh said," I am very hungry now."





Speech clause may be statement, imperative sentence, question, exclamatory
sentence or optative sentence.
1. Statement in speech clause
Change the reporting verbs 'said', 'says' and 'say' into 'told', 'tells'
and 'tell' respectively if it is with object, otherwise don't change.
Sarala said, "I am not satisfied with the service."
Sarala said that she was not satisfied with the service. (No change
of Reporting Verb)
The students said to him," We are ready to help you."
The students told him that they were ready to help them. (Change
of Reporting Verb)
Use conjunction 'that' (but it is optional)
(See above examples)
Change the pronouns in the speech clause
Reporting
verb
Speech
clause
5

Persons Subject Object Possessive Reflexive
form Possessive I Possessive II
1
st
I me my mine myself
we us our ours ourselves
2
nd
you you your yours yourself/
yourselves
3
rd
He him his his himself
she her her her herself
It it its its itself
they them their theirs themselves

First person changes according to the subject of
reporting verb.
He said," My house is very beautiful."

He said that his house was very beautiful.
Second person changes according to the object of
reporting verb.
She said to the boy," I don't like you."


She told the boy that she didn't like him.
Third person doesn't change
They said to me," We like him.'
They told me that they liked him.
Change tense in speech clause
Direct Indirect
simple present simple past
simple past past perfect
Present continuous past continuous
Present perfect (continuous) past perfect (continuous)
Past continuous past perfect continuous
Past perfect (continuous) No change
will/can/ may/shall would/ could/ might/ should
must had to
would/could/ might/ should No change

Note: The tense of the Reporting Verb doesn't change in the
following case.
Universal truth (The sun rises in the east) or proverb
(Don't count the chicken before they are hatched.)
If the reporting verb is in present or future
For example,
He says to her," I wake up at 7 everyday."
He tells her that he wakes up at 7 everyday.
(Both sentences are in simple present because
reporting verb is in simple present.)
6

Change the adverbs in the speech clause
Direct Indirect
now/ just then
today/ tonight that day/ that night
this sthat
these Those
here/ hence there/ thence
tomorrow the following day
yesterday the previous day/ the day before
the last month/ ..... the previous month/.............
ago before
next the following
thus so

Study the following examples
a) Sita said to her children," I will buy toys for you tomorrow."
Sita told her children that she would buy toys for them the
following day.
b) She said," I am drawing an apple now."
She said that she was drawing an apple then.
2. Imperative sentence in speech clause
Use Reporting Verb 'command or order' for simple command
He said to me," Shut the door.'
He ordered me to shut the door. (Conjunction 'to' is used to link
reporting verb and speech clause)
The boss said to all the staff," Don't waste time."
The boss commanded all the staff not to waste time. (Conjunction
'not to' is used because speech clause is in negative form)
'Advice or suggest' is used for suggestion
The doctor said to the patient," Take the medicine regularly."
The doctor advised the patient to take the medicine regularly.
'Ask or request' is used for request.
She said to me," Please help me."
She requested me to help her.
They said to him," Would you mind lending us some money?"
They requested him to lend them some money.
Reporting verb +to/ not to+V1 (base form of verb)+.....................

Change adverbs and person according to the rules mentioned
earlier
3. Question in speech clause
Use Reporting verb such as 'ask', 'inquire', 'want to know'
Use conjunction 'if' or 'whether' for Yes/ No question and Wh-
word for wh- question
Change tense, person and adverb as rules
Change question into statement

7

Examples,
a) Mohan said to his mother, "Do you feel cold?"
Mohan asked his mother if/ whether she felt cold.



b) She said to him," What are you doing now?" (Speech clause is
in question form)
She asked him what he was doing then. (Speech clause is in
statement form)
4. Exclamatory sentences in speech clause
Use Reporting Verb ' exclaim' with surprise, joy, sorrow
Use conjunction ' that'
Change the adverb/person/tense in the speech clause
Omit the words like Hurrah!, What!, Oh!, Alas!
Examples
a) Rita said," How clever I am."
Rita exclaimed surprisingly/ with surprise that she was clever.
b) They said, "Hurrah! We've won the match."
The exclaimed with joy/ joyfully that they had won the match.

8. Voice

Active voice: Ram (sub) played (verb) football (object) yesterday.

Passive voice: Football was played by Ram yesterday.

Some rules for changing active voice into passive
a) Identify subject, verb and object of the sentence
b) Write an object at first as a subject.
c) Add auxiliary verb according to the tense
d) Change the auxiliary verb according to the object of active voice.
i) Simple present tense
Active: Sita draws some pictures.
Passive: Some pictures are drawn by Sita. ('Is' or 'am' or 'are' is added)

v1/V5

ii) Present continuous tense
Active: They are pushing a vehicle now.
Passive: A vehicle is being pushed by them now. ('being' is added)

v2


iii) Present prefect tense
Active: The boy has broken all the windows.
Passive: All the windows have been broken by the boy.('been' is added)
Conjunction
is/am/ are + v3
is/am/ are +being+ v3
8


has/ have +v2
iv) simple past

Active: Sita read some important books last year.
Passive: Some important books were read by Sita last year. ('was' or
'were' is added)

v2

v) Past continuous

Active: They were doing the work all day yesterday.
Passive: Some important books were being read by Sita last year.
('being' is added)

was/were + V4


vi) Past perfect

Active: The teacher had taught us.
Passive: We had been taught by the teacher. ('been' is added)

had+ V3

vii) Active voice with 'will/ would/ can/ could/may/ might/ shall/ should/
ought to/ has to/ have to/ had to/ must/ need to + V1' can be changed to
passive in the following ways.
Generalise the following examples,
a) She has to complete this work in given time.
This work has to be completed by her in given time.
b) You should take this medicine.
This medicine should be taken by you.
c) The girl can carry the baggage.
The baggage can be carried by the girl.

Always, write the past participle form (V3) in
passive voice

viii. Write the adverbs just before the main verb in passive.

Study the following examples.
a) She is painting the picture beautifully.
The picture is being beautifully painted by her.
b) He looks after his children well.
His children are well looked after by him.

has/ have+been+ v3
was/ were + v3
was/ were+ being + v3
had+ been + v3
9

Adverbs are: sometimes, always, often, seldom, never, generally,
occasionally, frequently, usually, still, just, recently, already, well,
slowly, quickly, nicely, completely, properly, lately etc.


ix. Write 'by +agent' in the following conditions
a) If subject is vague pronoun, don't use 'by +agent'
Somebody helped me yesterday.
I was helped yesterday. (No need to write 'by somebody')


b) If subject is noun, 'by +agent' is must
Anita is writing a poem now.

A poem is being written by Anita now.
c) If subject is pronoun, 'by +agent' is optional
Vague adverbs are: somebody, anybody, no body, everybody, someone,
no one, any one, every one, people

They will play football tomorrow.
Football will be played (by them ) tomorrow.
x. Subject pronouns of passive are changed into objects pronoun.
We have to welcome our new guests.
Our new guests have to be welcomed by us.
( I/me, we/ us, he/ him, she/ her, it/ it, you/ you, they/ them)

xi. The passive with double objects
Kalpana gave me a pen.

A pen was given to me by Kalpana.
Kalpana gave me a pen.

I was given a pen by Kalpana.


xii. The passive with like, love, hate etc.
Look at the following examples,
a) I hate people disturbing me while studying.
I hate being disturbed while studying.
b) He loves people taking his photograph.
He loves having his photograph taken.
xiii. Passive with 'that' clause
People say that she is a non-resident
Nepali.

It is said that she is a non-resident
Nepali.

People say that she is a non-resident
Nepali.

She is said to be a non-resident
Nepali.


People believe that elephants never
10

forget.

It is believed that elephants never
forget.


They expect that she is singing well.

It is expected that she is singing
well.

They expect that she is singing well.

She is expected to be dancing well.


They hope that he was not a
criminal.

It is hoped that he was not a
criminal.
They hope that he was not a
criminal.

He is hoped not to have been a
criminal.

People claim that security problem
has increased in the city.

It is claimed that security problem
has increased in the city.

People claim that security problem
has increased in the city.

Security problem is claimed to have
increased in the city.


xiv. The passive of questions
a) Yes/ No question
Does Rita read a story book?
Think this question in statement 'Rita reads a story book.'
Change this statement into passive. 'A story book is read by
Rita.'
Change the passive into interrogative.
A story book is read by Rita.

Is a story book read by Rita?

The passive of interrogative should be always in interrogative
form.
A passive in interrogative always starts with auxiliary verbs
such as is/am/are/was/were/has/have/had/will/ can/ should etc.

b) Word question
Why are you writing this poem?
Think this question in statement 'Why you are writing this
poem.'
c) Change this statement into passive. ' Why this poem is being written.'
d) Change the passive into interrogative.
11

' Why this poem is being written.'

Why is this poem being written?

e) The passive of interrogative should be always in interrogative form.
f) A passive in interrogative always starts with question words such as
who, how, why, where, what, which etc.

xv. The passive of imperative sentences.
Study the following examples.
a) Open the door.
Let the door be opened.
The door should be opened. (Obligation)
b) Don't beat your friend.
Let your friend not be beaten.
Your friend should not be beaten. (Obligation)
c) Please eat an apple every day. (Request)
You are requested to eat an apple every day.

Active
(Don't)V1+object
Passive
Let+ object+(not)be+V3
You are requested (not)+to+ V1+object (Request)
Object +should+(not)be +V3 (Obligation)


9. Connectives
Connectives are words or phrases which are used to join two clauses or
sentences.
i) Reason connectives (because/ as/ since/ because of/ so/ therefore)
Reason connectives join a statement and a reason.
'Because', 'as', 'since' and 'because of 'are placed before reason but
'therefore' and 'so' are placed after reason.
'Because of ' needs a noun phrase, not a sentence.

Some examples
a) The football match was cancelled because it was raining.
b) I didn't enjoy the film as it was about ghost.
c) My father went to hospital since he had a bad headache.
d) She scored highest mark because of her hard work.
e) I don't have enough money therefore/ so I can't afford this product.
ii) Purpose connectives (to/ in order to/ for / so that)
Purpose connectives join an action and a purpose.
All these connectives are placed before purpose.
Write V1 or base form of verb after 'to' and 'in order to' and V4 or '-ing
form of the verb' and noun phrase after 'for'
12

Write the sentence based on the structure ' Subject +can/ could
+V1+(object)' after 'so that'

Some examples
a) I went to market to/ in order to buy some books.
b) He chooses biology so that he can become a doctor.
c) I telephoned her for sharing some ideas on our project work.
d) He went to China for business exhibition.
iii) Connectives of Unexpected Result (though/ although/ even though/ in
spite of / despite/ however/ nevertheless)
All these connectives join a situation and its unexpected result.
All these except 'however' and 'nevertheless' are placed before
situation but 'however' and 'nevertheless' are placed after situation.


Some examples

a) He did not buy anything in the market although/ even though/
though he had enough money.
In the above sentence,
He did not buy anything in the market. (Unexpected result)
He had enough money. (Situation)
b) I kept on climbing the mountain in spite of / despite illness.
c) They worked hard, however/ nevertheless they did not secure
good marks in the exam.
iv) Relative pronoun connectives. (who/ whose/ whom/ what/ which/ where/
that/ when/ how/ why)
Who/ whose/ whom relate person.
'Who' is often used if there is person before the blank and 'verb'
after the blank. For example,
I like the boy ............... dances nicely.
I like the boy who dances nicely.
'Whose' is often used if there is person before the blank and
'noun' after the blank. For example,
This is the girl ................mother is a professor.
This is the girl whose mother is a professor.
'Whom' is often used if there is person before the blank and
'pronoun such as I, We, They, He, She, You' after the blank. For
example,
I never forget the man ............. my father gave some money for
food.
I never forget the man whom my father gave some money for
food.
Which/ what/ that relate things

These connectives are often placed if there is thing before the
blank.
I like the pen ................ made in China.
13

I like the pen which/ that made in China.
'What' omits the things it indicates.
I did what he said.
'Where' relates place
'Where' is often used if there is place before the blank.
I went to hospital ............my father is under treatment.
I went to hospital where my father is under treatment.
'When' relates time
'When' is often used if there is time before the blank.
It was 7 am............... I had breakfast.
It was 7 am when I had breakfast.
How relates manner/ way
'How' is often used if there is manner/ way before the blank.
This is the way.................... I finished my work.
This is the way how I finished my work.
'Why' relates reason
'Why' is often used if there is reason before the blank.
Heavy rainfall was only the reason............... I didn't go to school.
Heavy rainfall was only the reason why I didn't go to school.

v) Time connectives (before/ after, when/ while, till/ until, as long as/ as soon
as)
All these connectives join two actions: first action and second action
'after', 'when/ while', 'as long as/ as soon as' are placed after the first
action whereas 'before, till/ until are placed after the second action.

Some examples

a) The students had finished the tasks (1
st
action) before the teacher
came ( 2
nd
action).
b) After the students had finished the tasks (1
st
action), the teacher
came ( 2
nd
action).
c) When she pressed the button, the machine started working,
d) I met the boy while he was walking along the road.
e) We have to wait him until/ till he comes here.
f) As soon as he came to house, he went to bathroom.
g) As long as we were in the bus, we slept.
vi) Connective in pairs (Either...............or, neither............ nor, whether......or,
not only............ but also, so.............that)
All the connectives join a pair of nouns/ verbs/ adverbs/ phrases/ clauses
etc. as in the following examples.
a) Either the teachers or non teaching staff must be responsible for
the work.
b) I like neither tea nor cold drink.
c) You have to complete the task within this week whether you have
time or not.
d) You need to consult not only your head teacher but also subject
teacher.
14

e) He is so strong that he can lift a stone of 100 kg.
Note: 'So+ adjective/adverb + that'
vii) Other connectives
A) if/ whether, unless ( Used to join two clauses)
'Whether' is often used in reporting Yes/ No questions.
Unless is used to mean ' if not'
Some examples
a) If you meet me tomorrow, you will get some money.
b) You won't get your certificate unless you pay fee.
c) She asked me whether she could help me.
B) and, but
'And' is used to connect items where the meaning is 'also' or 'in
addition to' or 'then' or ' following this.' For example,
He read the book and copied important facts.
I like mango, apple and banana.
'But' is used to join two opposing or contrasting statements or
clauses, for example,
Sarita helped me but Ramesh did not.
He can play football but he cannot play basket ball.
C) thinking that/ hoping that
I waited him for a long time hoping that he would help me.
They talked loudly thinking that nobody was there.


10. Conditional Sentence
The conditional sentence has two parts:
a) If clause: Clause that begins with if or unless or provided that
b) Main clause: Clause that doesn't begin with if or unless or provided that
If he passed the exam, he would join the college.
OR
He would join the college if he passed the exam.
The underlined part is 'if clause.'
There are three types of conditional sentences
Type-1(Cause and effect)
If clause: Simple present (Subject + V1/V5+ Object)
Main clause: will/ shall/ can/ may/ must + V1 or imperative
sentence
Some examples
a) If it snows, our programme will be postponed.
b) If you don't come in time, you may miss the bus.
c) You can't enter the school unless you wear uniform.
d) You must go to hospital if you feel fever continuously.
e) He won't come if it rains.
f) If you are fat, don't eat oily food.
Type-2 (Possible)
If clause: Simple past (Subject + V2+ Object)
Main clause: would/ should/ could/ might/ + V1
Some examples
15

a) If you called her, she would come here.
b) If I were the prime minister, I would manage electricity all
the time.
c) I would buy a motorbike if I had enough money.
d) They couldn't pass the exam unless they took extra classes.
e) Provided that they didn't practise, they wouldn't win the
match.
Type -3 (Impossible)
If clause: Past perfect (Subject + had +V3+ Object)
Main clause: would/ should/ could/ might + have+ V3

Some examples
a) If he had studied hard, he would have passed the exam.
b) They might not have had the accident unless they had gone
there.
c) I would have helped you if you had asked me.
d) Unless you had paid me back the money, I would have filed a
case in court.
e) If you hadn't known me, you might have beaten me.

11. Causative Verb
The causative verbs are: make, have and get. These verbs are used to show
that someone causes something to happen.

a) Causative verb ' make'
Active: Subject +make +agent +V1+ Object
Passive: Agent + aux. +made + to + V1 + (by agent)
Some examples
Hari made his brother clean his room.
The film made me cry.
She always makes us laugh.
Did they make you sing a song?
I was made to dance.
He is made to tell the story.
How was she made to dance?

b) Causative verb 'get'
Subject + get + agent + to + V1 + Object
Subject + get+ Object + V3
Some examples
He got his sister to call a taxi.
My sister always gets me to go to temple with her.
They may get me to dance at my birthday party.
Did you get him to tell jokes?
I got my jacket washed.
Get this letter translated.
You must get your heath checked up regularly.

16

c) Causative verb ' have'
Subject + have + agent + V1 + (Object)
Subject + have + Object + V3
Some examples
I had my teacher check my vacation work.
She always has me help in her homework.
I must have her repair my computer.
I need to have my brother buy some important books.
Did you have your father pay tuition fee?
I didn't have him cut my hair.
I had my shoes mended.
She has her leg broken.
Go and have your bicycle repaired.