Kinds of Tense
Category : 5th Class
The Tense is divided into three categories. In other words, there are three kinds of tense:
Present Tense
Any action or event that takes place at present is called the present tense. There are four kinds of present tense.
Look at the following sentences:
In the sentences given above the verbs 'makes', 'is learning' and 'has forwarded' show an action in present time. These verbs are said to be in the present tense. Present Tense shows an action done in the present time.
Present Indefinite or Simple Present
This tense is used to express the habitual actions, truths, planned activities, quotations and to put questions. Tense shows an action done in general way in the Present time.
Look at the following sentences:
In the sentences given above the verbs 'rises' and 'takes' show an action done in general way in present time. They do not say whether the action is complete or incomplete. These verbs are in Present Indefinite Tense.
Uses of simple present tense
For example: She goes to college every day.
For example: The earth moves round the sun.
Present Continuous Tense
The Present Continuous Tense is used to express an action or event taking place.
Tense shows an action going on (or continuing) at the time of speaking.
Look at the following sentences:
In the sentences given above the verbs 'are provoking' and 'is explaining' show an action going on or continuing at the time of speaking (in present time). Here the action is incomplete. These verbs are in Present Continuous Tense.
Uses of present continuous tense
For example: I am reading a book.
For example: My brother is going to home tomorrow.
Present Perfect Tense
Present Perfect Tense is used to express the actions just completed, put questions and past actions whose time is not specific. Present Perfect Tense shows an action started in the past and completed at the time of speaking (in present time).
Look at the following sentences:
In the sentences, given above the verbs 'has passed' and 'have revised' show an action started in the past and completed at the time of speaking (in present time). These verbs are in Present Perfect Tense.
Uses of Present perfect tense
For example: Rocky has opened the room.
For example: We have painted the room.
Present Perfect Continuous Tense
Present Perfect Continuous Tense shows an action started at some time in the past and continuing up in the present time.
Look at the following sentences:
In the sentences, given above the verbs 'has been living' and 'have been waiting' show an action started at some time in the past and continue in the present time.
These verbs are in Present Perfect Continuous Tense.
NOTE:
For example: Farmers have been ploughing the field for five hours.
We have been discussing this matter since 27 July.
Past Tense
When a verb indicates a completed action, it said to be in the Past Tense.
Look at the following sentences:
In the sentences given above, the verbs 'played', 'was laughing' and 'had completed' show an action of past time. These verbs are therefore in Past Tense. Past Tense shows an action done in the past time.
Past Indefinite or Simple Past Tense
Past Indefinite is used to express past habits, completed actions and put questions. It also shows an action done in the past time.
Look at the following sentences:
In the sentences given above the verbs 'bought' and 'taught' show an action completed in the past time. These verbs are in Past Indefinite Tense.
Use of simple Past Tense:
For example: Maria left the town.
For example: I used to play chess here.
Past Continuous Tense
The Past Continuous Tense is used to express the continuity of some past actions and to put questions. This Tense shows an action going on in the Past and not completed.
Look at the following sentences:
In the sentences given above, the verbs 'was celebrating' and 'was looking' show an action going on at some time in the past. Here the action is incomplete. The time of action may or may not be indicated. These verbs are in Past Continuous Tense.
Use of Past Continuous tense
For example: She was watching the television.
For example: The leader was always sleeping.
Past Perfect Tense
The Past Perfect Tense is used to express an action completed before a certain moment in the past. It shows an action which had been completed before another action took place.
Look at the following sentences:
In the sentences, given above the verbs 'had taken' and 'had cooked' show that the action had been completed before another action took place. Here the earlier action takes Past Perfect Tense. These verbs are in Past Perfect Tense.
Use of Past Perfect tense
For example: The college had closed before the professor came.
For example: I had met him twice.
Past Perfect Continuous Tense
Past Perfect Continuous Tense shows an action starting before a certain point in the past and continuing up to that time.
Look at the following sentences:
In the sentences, given above the verbs 'had been reading' and 'had been singing' show an action that began before a certain point in the past and continuing up to that time. These verbs are in Past Perfect Continuous Tense.
Use of Past Perfect Continuous tense
Past Perfect Continuous Tense is used to show that the action was continuous and still going on at a point or period of time in the past.
For example: Mr. Lalwani had already been teaching in this college when he applied for another job.
Future Tense
In Future Tense, a verb indicates that an action will take place in future.
Look at the following sentences
In the sentences given above, the verbs 'will go', 'will be writing' and 'will have eaten' show an action to be done in Future time. These verbs are said to be in the Future Tense. Future Tense shows an action to be done in future (coming) time.
Future Indefinite or Simple Future Tense
The Future Indefinite Tense is used to express a supposed action, determination and put questions. This Tense shows an action to be done in general way in the future time.
Look at the following sentences:
In the sentences, given above the verbs 'will know' and 'will go' show an action to be done in the future time. These verbs are in Future Indefinite Tense.
Use of simple future
For example: He will learn a lesson.
For example: It is hot. I will drink cold water.
Future Continuous Tense
The Future Continuous Tense is used to indicate the continuity of a supposed action, below possible actions or put questions. This Tense shows an action that will go on at some point of time in the future.
Look at the following sentences:
In the above given sentences the verbs 'will be reaching' and 'shall be making' show an action that will go on at some point of time in the future. These verbs are in Future Continuous Tense.
Use of future continuous tense
For example: She will be playing cricket when we reach there.
For example: Radha will be visiting the Taj Mahal for a week.
Future Perfect Tense
The Future Perfect Tense is used to indicate the completion of a supposed action or an action that starts earlier but still continues. This Tense shows an action to be completed before another action takes place in future time.
Look at the following sentences:
In the above given sentences the verbs 'will have bought' and 'will have finished' show an action which will be completed by a certain time in future. Here the earlier future action takes Future Perfect Tense and the subsequent action takes simple present tense. These verbs are in Future perfect Tense.
Use of future perfect tense
For example: I shall have finished my lunch by 7 a.m.
Future Perfect Continuous Tense
Future perfect Continuous Tense shows an action in progress for a period of time In the future.
Look at the following sentences
In the above given sentences the verbs 'will have been teaching' and 'will have been studying' show an action in progress over a period of time in the future. These verbs are in Future Perfect Continuous Tense.
Use of future perfect continuous tense
Future Perfect Continuous Tense is used to show an action which will be in progress over a period of time which will end in future time.
For example: you will have been learning computer for 2 months.
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