THE TENSES

CONTENTS Introduction Classification based on Time Frame Classification based on Aspect Block diagram of Tenses List of Rules Present Tense Past Tense Future Tense List of Examples

INTRODUCTION The word Tense is derived from latin word “tempus” which means time. A verb indicates the time of an action, event or condition by changing its form.

Present Tense Past Tense Future Tense Based on Time frame The verb tenses may be categorized according to the time frame: Present Tense Past Tense Future Tense

Present Tense :--- Present tense expresses an unchanging, repeated, or reoccurring action or situation that exists only now. It can also represent a widespread truth. Past Tense :--- Past tense expresses an action or situation that was started and finished in the past. Future Tense :--- Future tense expresses an action or situation that will occur in the future.

Based on Aspect Indefinite or Simple Continuous or Progressive Verb tenses may also be categorized according to aspect. Aspect refers to the nature of the action described by the verb. There are four aspects: Indefinite or Simple Continuous or Progressive Perfect or Complete Perfect Continuous

Perfect Continuous Tense Indefinite Tense The three indefinite tenses, or simple tenses, describe an action but do not state whether the action is finished. Continuous Tense The three continuous tenses, incomplete tenses, or progressive tenses, describe an unfinished action. Perfect Tense The three complete tenses, or perfect tenses, describe a finished action. Perfect Continuous Tense To combine the complete tenses and the incomplete tenses, to describe an action which was in progress and then finished

There are twelve possible verb tenses.

Here is a list of rules of these tenses: Simple Forms Progressive Forms Perfect Forms Perfect Progressive Forms Present Ist form + s / es am/is/are + Ist form + ing have/has + IIIrd form have/has been + Ist form + ing Past IInd form was/were + Ist form + ing had + IIIrd form had been + Ist form + ing Future will/shall + Ist form will be + Ist form + ing will have + IIIrd form will have been + Ist form + ing

Present Tense

Present Indefinite Tense The simple present is used to describe an action, an event, or condition that is occurring in the present, at the moment of speaking or writing. For Example— I play. He / She plays.

Present Continuous Tense The present continuous emphasizes the continuing nature of an act, event, or condition. For Example— I am playing. He / She is playing. They are playing.

Present Perfect Tense The present perfect tense is used to describe action that began in the past and continues into the present or has just been completed. For Example— I have played. He / She has played.

Present Perfect Cont.Tense The present perfect continuous is used to describe an action, event, or condition that has begun in the past and continues into the present. For Example— I / You have been playing. He / She has been playing.

Past Tense

Past Indefinite Tense The simple past is used to describe an action, an event, or condition that occurred in the past. For Example— I played. He / She played.

Past Continuous Tense The past continuous tense is used to described actions ongoing in the past. For Example— I was playing. He / She was playing. You were playing.

Past Perfect Tense The past perfect tense is used to refer to actions that took place and were completed in the past. For Example— I had played. He / She had played.

Past Perfect Cont.Tense The past perfect continuous is used to indicate that a continuing action in the past began before another past action began or interrupted the first action. For Example— I had been playing. He / She had been playing.

Future Tense

Future Indefinite Tense The simple future is used to refer to actions that will take place after the act of speaking or writing. For Example— I shall play. He / She will play.

Future Continuous Tense The future continuous tense is used to describe actions ongoing in the future. The future progressive is used to refer to continuing action that will occur in the future. For Example— I shall be playing. He / She will be playing.

Future Perfect Tense The future perfect is used to refer to an action that will be completed sometime in the future before another action takes place. For Example— I shall have played. He / She will have played.

Future Perfect Continuous Tense The future perfect continuous tense is used to indicate a continuing action that will be completed at some specified time in the future. For Example— I shall have been playing. He / She will have been playing.

Here is a list of examples of these tenses and their definitions: Simple Forms Progressive Forms Perfect Forms Perfect Progressive Forms Present I play I am playing I have played I have been playing Past I played I was playing I had played I had been playing Future I shall play I shall be playing I shall have played I shall have been playing

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