2. INTRODUCTION / DEFINITION
• The word Tense is derives from latin word “tempus” which means time.
• Tense of a verb indicates the time & state of an action or event by changing
its form
3. Based on Time Frame
• The verb tenses may be categorized according to the time frame:
Present Tense
Past Tense
Future Tense
4. PRESENT TENSE: It expresses an unchanging, repeated or re action or
situation that exists only now. It can also represent a widespread truth.
PAST TENSE: It expresses an action or situation that was started and finished
in the past.
FUTURE TENSE: It expresses an action or situation that will occur in the
future.
5. BASED ON ASPECT
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
6. ASPECTS
1. INDEFINITE TENSE : The three indefinite tenses or simple tenses, describe an
action but do not state whether the action is finished.
2. CONTINOUS TENSE: The three continuous tenses, incomplete tenses, or
progressive tenses, describe an unfinished action.
3. PERFECT TENSE: The three complete tenses or perfect tenses, describe a
finished action
4. PERFECT CONTINOUS TENSE: To combine the complete tenses and the
incomplete tenses, to describe an action which was in progress and then finished.
7.
8.
9. SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE
Do-I,We,You,They Does-He/She/It
If the subject is HE/SHE/IT and singular name-’s/es’ is added
Ex: 1.She drinks coffee everyday.
2.He tries very hard.
3.Sita plays in the park.
If the subject is I/WE/YOU/THEY and plural names-’the verb should be plural’.
Ex: 1.They watch television regularly.
2.We catch the bus every morning.
Form: Subject+verb(present/V1)+Object
12. PRESENT PERFECT CONTINOUS TENSE
Form:Subject+has/have been+verb(ing)+object
Have been I/We/You/They
Has been He/She/It
13. INDICATIONS OR SIGNAL WORDS:
3.PRESENT PERFECT:
just, just now, just before,
ever, ever before, several
times etc
2.PRESENT CONTINUOUS:
at present still, now, watch, See,
look, right now, right away etc
1.SIMPLE PRESENT:
Everyday/week/year/time etc
Rarely often, sometimes, occasionally,
usually etc
4.PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS:
for two weeks, Since Tuesday,
since June, for the last 30
minutes.
16. PAST CONTINOUS TENSE
Form:Subject+WAS/Were+verb(ing)+object
Was He/She/It/I
Were I/We/You/They
Ex:1. As we were playing, it started to rain.
2. While we were playing, it started to snow.
3.This time yesterday we were playing basket ball.
4.It was raining at noon yesterday.
18. PAST PERFECT CONTINOUS TENSE
Form:Subject+Had been + verb(ing)+object
Had been all subjects
Ex: Martha had been walking three miles a day before
she broke her leg.
19. INDICATIONS OR SIGNAL WORDS:
3.PAST PERFECT:
before, after + simple past tense
Ex: After Sofie had finished her
work, she went to lunch.
2.PAST CONTINUOUS:
Time expressions commonly used
with the past continuous tense.
Ex: We were having dinner between seven and
eight yesterday evening.
1.SIMPLE PAST:
yesterday, last night, day before,
Yesterday, last week/Year/month, in
the morning, long ago
4.PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS:
When, for, since and before etc
Ex: Martha had been walking three
miles a day before she broke her leg.
25. INDICATIONS OR SIGNAL WORDS:
3.FUTURE PERFECT:
by 2027, by 4:30 today
evening etc
2.FUTURE CONTINUOUS:
by 6:30 tomorrow, by this
time tomorrow etc
1.SIMPLE FUTURE:
Tomorrow, next week/month
Sunday, coming year, day after
tomorrow, later etc
4.FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS:
From 2023 onwards, from
next Sunday onwards, for 5
years etc
