TENSES

The verbs show the time of action by certain forms they take. These forms are called the tense forms of the verb. In other words, the tense of a verb shows the time of an action or event. A verb that refers to the present time is called the present tense. eg. I write. A verb that refers to the past time is called the past tense. eg. I wrote. A verb that refers to the future time is called the future tense. eg. I shall write.

PRESENT TENSE Simple Present Tense: This tense is used to express a habitual action, general truths, a permanent situation or a future action that has a fixed schedule and to express feelings or thoughts. Examples: a) The earth revolves around the sun. b) The mayor leaves for Delhi tomorrow. c) Agra is on the banks of river Yamuna. d) Rani feels she will not be selected.

Present Continuous Tense: It is used to express an action that is going on at the time of speaking (the action is not yet completed), an action planned for the future and an action that may or may not be happening at the time of speaking. Examples: a) The boys are playing cricket. b) I am going to Europe. c) Lisa is reading Harry Potter.

Present Perfect Tense: It is used to express an action that has been completed in the immediate past, an action that began in the past and is carrying on in the present, an action that is related to the current time, an action that is expected but has not yet happened and to indicate achievements.

Examples: a) The English period has just started. b) Salma has lived in Abu Dhabi for 5 years. c) They have eaten the cake. d) The bus has not yet left. e) Jane has won the best student award.

Present Perfect Continuous Tense: It is used to indicate an action that began in the past and is continuing at the time of speaking, or an action that has just finished. Examples: a) Tom has been sleeping for 5 hours. b) She is weak because she has been ill.

PAST TENSE Simple Past Tense: It is used to indicate an action that was completed in the past. It also expresses past habits. Examples: a) Tom received Jerrys letter yesterday. b) John learnt French at school. c) Mary always carried all her books to school.

Past Continuous Tense: It is used to express an action that was going on for some time in the past. It is also used along with simple past when a new action happened in the middle of a longer action (The simple past is used for the new action). Examples: a) Sandra was watching cartoons throughout the weekend. b) The light went out while I was reading.

Past Perfect Tense: It describes an action which was completed before a certain moment in the past. Examples: a) When we reached the school, the bell had rung. b) It was fun when he had come to our party.

Past Perfect Continuous Tense: It is used to indicate an action that was continuing at some time in the past when another action took place simultaneously. Example: a) They had been sleeping for more than 5 hours when they reached the station.

FUTURE TENSE Simple Future Tense: It is used to make a prediction of something that is sure to happen, to indicate a promise or a resolve, to express the speakers views or to ask somebody to do something. Examples: a) We will know our results in May. b) I shall quit smoking. c) I think CSK will win the IPL. d) Will you call your parents tomorrow?

Future Continuous Tense: It is used to indicate actions that will progress for a certain period of time in the future or to talk about an action that is certain to happen in the future. Examples: a) We shall be completing the grammar notes in class tomorrow. b) At this time next month, we will be studying seriously for our exams.

Future Perfect Tense: It is used to refer to an action that would be complete at some time in the future. This action is linked to another action.

Example: They will have finished their work before you come.

Future Perfect Continuous Tense: It is used to talk about an action that will be continued for some time in the future. This tense is not very common. Example: She will have been teaching for 20 years this June.

PRESENT TENSE TENSE SIMPLE PRESENT PRESENT CONTINUOUS PRESENT PERFECT PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS VERB FORM I play I am playing (be+ verb+ ing) I have played (have+ verb) I have been playing (have been+ verb+ ing)

PAST TENSE TENSE SIMPLE PAST PAST CONTINUOUS PAST PERFECT PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS VERB FORM I played I was playing (be+ verb+ ing) I had played (had+ verb) I had been playing (had been + verb+ ing)

FUTURE TENSE TENSE SIMPLE FUTURE FUTURE CONTINUOUS FUTURE PERFECT VERB FORM I will/ shall play (will/shall + verb) I will be/ shall be playing (will/ shall+ be+ verb+ ing) I will/ shall have played (will/ shall have+ verb)

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will/shall have been playing (will/ shall have been+ verb+ ing)