Time and Tense
The word ‘tense’ has been derived from the Latin ‘tempus’ means time.
There are three main tenses.
1- Present Tense
2- Past Tense
3- Future Tense
PRESENT TENSE
1. Present Indefinite or Simple Present tense.
2. Present continuous tense.
3. Present perfect tense.
4. Present perfect continuous tense.
Present Indefinite or Simple Present tense.
Structure-
1. Affirmative:- Subj. + V1st + Obj. Ex- She sings a song.
2. Negative:- Subj. + do/does+ not+ V1st+obj.
Ex- She does not sing a song.
3. Interrogative:- (i) Do/does+ Subj.+ V1st+ Obj.?
Ex- Does She sing a song?
(ii) Wh. + Do/does+ Subj.+ V1st + Obj.? Ex- Why does She sing a song?
4. Inter.&neg:- (i) Do/does+ Subj. +not+ V1st+ obj?
Ex- Does She not sing a song?
(ii) Do/does+ not+ Subj.+ V1st+ Obj.? Ex- Doesn’t She sing a song?
(iii) Wh.+ Do/does+ Subj. +not+ V1st+ Obj?
Ex- Why does She not sing a song?
(iv) Wh. +Do/does+ not +Subj.+ V1st+ Obj.?
Ex- Why doesn’t She sing a song?
Some important rules
Rule 1. Simple present is used to express a habitual action
Examples
a. He goes for a morning walk daily.
b. She takes breakfast every day at 8o’ clock.
Rule 2. It is used to express a universal truth.
Examples
a. The Sun rises in the east.
b. Water freezes at zero degree Celsius.
Rule 3. In exclamatory sentences beginning with ‘Here and There’.
Examples
a. Here comes the train!
b. There She goes putting on airs!
Rule 4. To express a planned action in the future.
Examples
a. The next train is at 8 o’clock tomorrow.
b. The class starts at 4 o' clock in the evening.
Rule 5. It is used in Newspaper headlines.
Example
a. The Enforcement Directorate seizes Rs 25 crore assets in PNB fraud.
b. SEBI gets teeth to act against exchange.
Rule 6. It is generally used in commentary or storytelling.
Exmples
a. The ball hits the net and he loses the point.
b. The main character finds the ring and saves the girl.
Rule 7. If the main clause is in the future tense then in case of conditional sentences, simple present tense is used in subordinate clause.
If, even if, when, until, unless, till,
Before, provided after, in case, as soon as, as long as. These words are followed by present indefinite tense and the other sentence will be in future tense.
Examples
1. He will not stand by you even if you will beg for it. (incorrect)
2. He will not stand by you even if you beg for it. (correct)
3. I shall give you a tinkle as soon as I will reach Delhi. (incorrect)
4. I shall give you a tinkle as soon as I reach Delhi. (correct)
5. In case you will run short of money, he will help you. (incorrect)
6. In case you run short of money, he will help you. (correct)
7. You will pass the exam provided you will practice daily. (incorrect)
8. You will pass the exam provided you practice daily. (correct)
9. She will wait for you until you come. (correct)
Present continuous tense
Structure-
1. Affirmative- Subj.+ is/am/are+ V1st+ing+obj.
Ex- He is telling a lie.
2. Negative- Subj.+ is/am/are + not+ V1st+ing+obj.
Ex- He is not telling a lie.
3. Interrogative-(i) Is/am/are + subj.+ V1st+ing+obj?
Ex- Is he telling a lie?
(ii) Wh.+ Is/am/are + subj.+ V1st+ing+obj?
Ex- Why Is he telling a lie?
3. Inter & neg:-(i) Is/am/are + subj. +not+ V1st+ing+obj?
Ex- Is he not telling a lie?
(ii) Is/am/are + not+ subj.+ V1st+ing+obj?
Ex- Isn’t he telling a lie?
(iii) Wh. + Is/am/are +subj. +not+ V1st+ing+obj?
Ex- Why is he not telling a lie?
(iv) Wh.+ Is/am/are +not+ subj. + V1st+ing+obj?
Ex- Why isn’t he telling a lie?
Some Important Rules
Rule 1. It is used for an action that is happening at the time of speaking.
Examples
1. He is reading a novel
2.The girls are dancing.
Rule 2. For an action to be taken place in the near future.
Examples
1. His father is going to Delhi tomorrow.
2. She is coming to my home in the evening.
Rule 3. There are some verbs that are not used in continuous tense such verbs are called static verbs.
1. Verbs of perception- see, hear, smell, feel, taste.
2. Verbs of thinking- think, suppose, agree, consider, perceive, understand.
3. Verbs of emotions- hope, want, desire, refuse, believe, doubt, detest, appreciate, admire, fear.
4. Verbs of possession- own, have, belong, comprise, possess, contain, consist of.
5. Verbs in general- look, seem, appear, affect, resemble, cost, require, stand, face, become.
Read these sentences carefully.
Incorrect Correct
1.I am owning a car. 1. I own a car.
2. This building is belonging to her. 2. This building belongs to her.
3. He is not loving you. 3. He does not love you.
4. She is not meaning this. 4. She does not mean this.
5. The temple is standing in the 5. The temple stands in the heart of the city. in the heart of the city.
6. This novel is containing 200 pages. 6. This novel contains 200 pages.
7. He is having no house to live in. 7. He has no house to live in.
8. She is seeming sad. 8. She seems sad.
9. These mangoes are tasting sweet. 9. These mangoes taste sweet.
10. I am thinking you are wrong. 10. I think you are wrong.
Rule 4. These verbs can be used in the continuous tense if the action is temporary.
Examples
1.The rose smells sweet. Static verb
2. He is smelling a white rose. Temporary action
3. I have a red car. Static verb
4. I am having my lunch. Temporary action
5. He was looking at her. Temporary action
6. A doctor is feeling her pulse. Temporary action
7. I think he will help you. Static verb
8. He is thinking of going to London. Temporary action
See some more examples-
1 .He is reading a novel since morning. (incorrect)
2. He has been reading a novel since morning. (correct)
3. She is singing a song for two hours. (incorrect)
3. She has been singing a song for two hours. (correct)
Present Perfect Tense
Structure-
1. Affirmative:- Subj. + has/have + V3rd + obj.
Ex 1. He has met her.
2. Negative:- Subj. + has/have + not + V3rd + obj.
Ex 2. He has not met her.
3. Interrogative:- Has/have + subj. + V3rd + obj.?
Ex 3. Has he met her?
4. Interro& neg:-(i) Has /have + subj. + not + V3rd + obj.?
Ex 4. Has he not met her?
(ii) Has/have + not + subj. + V3rd + obj.? Ex 5. Hasn’t he met her?
(iii) Wh+ has/have + subj. + not + V3rd + obj.?
Ex 6. Why has he not met her?
(iv) Wh. + has/have + not + subj. + V3rd + obj.?
Ex 7. Why hasn’t he met her?
Some Important Rules
Rule 1. It is used if the time is not given or not definite for the completion of task.
Examples
1. Have you ever been to Nainital?
2. I have never seen you singing.
3. She has read this book.
Rule 2. To denote an action that started in the past and is still in continuation.
Examples
1. We have known him for three years.
2. I have taught English for 4 years.
Rule 3. Never, ever, so far, till now, yet, already, today, this week, this month, lately, recently, are generally used in present perfect tense.
Examples
1. He has not taken lunch so far.
2. I have not met my friend today.
Rule 4. Yesterday, last day, last night, last month, last week, last year, ago, 2 days ago, 3 months ago etc. 1991, 1992, 1993 etc. can not be used in present perfect tense.
Examples
1. One of my friends has met me on the road yesterday. (incorrect)
2. One of my friends met me on the road yesterday. (correct)
3. India has won freedom in 1947. (incorrect)
3. India won freedom in 1947. (correct)
Present Perfect Continuous Tense
Structure-
1. Affirmative- Subj. + has/have + been V1st +ing + obj. + since/for + time.
2. Negative- Subj. + has/have + not + been V1st +ing + obj. + since/for + time.
3. Interrogative- Has/have + subj. + been V1st +ing + obj. + since/for + time?
4. Intero & neg - Has/have + Subj + not + been V1st +ing + obj. + since/for + time?
Examples
1. He has been writing a letter since morning.
2. He has not been writing a letter since morning.
3. Has he been writing a letter since morning?
4. Has he not been writing a letter since morning?
Some Important Rules
Rule 1. It is used for the action that has started in the past and is still continuing.
Examples
1. These children have been making a noise for many hours.
2. They have been playing cricket for 3 hours.
Use of " since and for "
Since ( Point of Time / Definite Time )
1995,1996,1997,1998, 2000 etc.
January, February, March etc.
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday etc.
Last January, last February etc.
Last Sunday, last Monday etc.
Last week/month/year etc.
Yesterday, morning, evening etc.
2pm, 3pm, 2am, 3am etc.
2 o’clock, 3 o’clock etc.
Childhood, adolescence etc.
For ( Period Of Time / Indefinite Time)
2 years, 3 years , 6 years etc.
Two months, three months etc.
2 days, 3 days, 5 days etc.
Several months, several years etc.
Many days/months/years etc.
2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours etc.
See some more examples-
1. She is watching the movie for three hours. (incorrect)
2. She has been watching the movie for three hours. (correct)
3. He has been attending his classes for 15th Jan. (incorrect)
3. He has been attending his classes since 15th Jan. (correct)
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