7th Class English Tenses Types of Tense

   Types of Tense

 

The Tense is divided into three categories. They are the following:

•   Present Tense
•   Past Tense
•   Future Tense  

 

       Present Tense

It expresses an action or event that takes place in the present time. Present Tense is divided into four categories. They are the following:  

 

       Present Indefinite or Simple Present

This tense is used to express the habitual actions which is truths, planned activities, quotations and to put questions. This tense shows an action done in general way in the present time.  

 

      Look at the following sentences:

•   The earth revolves round the sun.
•   He takes periodic break.

In the above given sentences, the verbs 'revolves' and 'takes' show an action done in general way in the present time. They do not say whether the action is complete or incomplete. These verbs are in Present Indefinite Tense.  

 

Points to keep in mind

• Present Indefinite Tense is used to show a habitual action.

    Example: You go to school at 8 PM.

• Present Indefinite Tense is used to express a universal truth.

    Example: The earth moves round the sun.    

 

 

         Present Continuous Tense

The Present Continuous Tense is used to express an action or event that is taking place right now. This tense shows an action which is going on (or continuing) at the time of speaking.  

        Look at the following sentences:

•   He is pursuing MBA from IIM.
•   They are pleading to the authorities to solve their problems.

In the above given sentences, the verbs 'is pursuing' and 'are pleading' show an action which is going on or continuing at the time of speaking (in present time). These verbs are in Present Continuous Tense.  

 

Points to keep in mind

•  Present Continuous Tense is used to talk about activities happening now.

   Example: The kids are watching TV.

•  Present Continuous Tense is used to talk about activities happening around now, not necessarily this moment.

   Example: Priyanka is studying really hard for her exam this week.

•  Present Continuous Tense is used to talk about activities happening in near future, especially for planed future events

   Example: We are going on holiday next week.    

 

 

        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:

•   The Prime Minister has visited Russia on an official trip.
•   We have raised the issue several times.

In the above given sentences, the verbs 'has visited' and 'have raised' show an action started in the past and completed at the time of speaking (in present time). These verbs are in Present Perfect Tense.  

Points to keep in mind

•   Present Perfect Tense is used to express an action that has just been completed.

      Example: He has just left for the station.

•   Present Perfect Tense is used to express past actions whose time is not given.

      Example: We have accomplished the task.    

 

 

         Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Present Perfect Continuous Tense shows an action that started at some time in the past and is continuing in the present time.

 

         Look at the following sentences:

•   She has been living in Dubai for ten years,
•   He has been coming here since Monday.

In the above given sentences, the verbs 'has been living' and 'has been coming' show an action that started at some time in the past and is continuing in the present time. These verbs are in Present Perfect Continuous Tense.  

Points to keep in mind

•   In Present Perfect Continuous Tense 'for' is used to express a period of time and 'since' is used to a express point of time.
•   Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used to show the continuity of an action which began in the past and is still going on.

     Example: Steve has been trying to solve this problem for 5 hours. You have been learning English since January.  

 

 

        Past Tense

When a verb indicates a completed action it is known as Past Tense. Past Tense shows an action done in the past time.  

  

       Look at the following sentences:

•   Players played the game professionally.
•   Ranjan was laughing at him.
•   Prashant had talked to them.
•   He had been watching the movie.

In the above given sentences, the verbs 'played', 'was laughing', 'had talked' and 'had been watching' show an action of past time. These verbs are said to be in the Past Tense.    

 

        Past Indefinite Tense

Past Indefinite Tense is used to express past habits, completed actions and put questions. It also shows an action done in general way in the past time.

 

        Look at the following sentences:

•   He took a decision that was very difficult.
•   The teacher taught the students with great interest.

In the above given sentences, the verbs 'took' and 'taught' show an action completed in the past time. These verbs are in Past Indefinite Tense.  

Points to keep in mind

•  Past Indefinite Tense is used to show an action completed in the past.

      Example: The train left the station at 6 AM.

•  Past Indefinite Tense is used to show a habitual action in the past.

   Example: He used to ride bike with great speed in his young age.    

 

 

       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 at some time in the past and not completed.  

  

       Look at the following sentences:

•   Indian army was marching into the enemy's camp.
•   He was uploading the information.

In the above given sentences, the verbs 'was marching' and 'was uploading' 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.  

Points to keep in mind

•   Past Continuous Tense is used to show an action that started and continued in the past.

   Example: We were appearing in the exam.

•   Past Continuous Tense is used to show a persistent habit in the past.

   Example: The leader was always sleeping.  

 

         Past Perfect Tense

The Past Perfect Tense is used to express two earlier actions, completion of past actions and to put questions. It shows an action which had been completed before another action took place.  

 

        Look at the following sentences:

•   The train had left before i reached the station.
•   The postman had delivered the letter before i reached home.

In the above given sentences, the verbs 'had left' and 'had delivered' 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.  

Points to keep in mind

•   Past Perfect Tense is used to show an action completed before another action took place.

   Example: The college had closed before the students returned from the picnic.

•   Past Perfect Tense is used to describe an action completed before a certain moment in the past.

   Example: Steve met Smith in London in 2010. He had seen him five year ago.    

 

 

        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:

•   The public had been opposing the proposal for five years.
•   India had been progressing rapidly when the economic slow down came.

In the above given sentences, the verbs 'had been opposing' and 'had been progressing' 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.

Points to keep in mind

•   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.

      Example: Dr. James had been working in two hospitals when he joined the third one.  

 

       Future Tense

In Future Tense, a verb indicates that an action will take place in future. Future Tense shows an action to be done in future (coming) time.  

 

        Look at the following sentences:

•   Vishal will write a book.
•   Vishal will be writing a book.
•   Vishal will have written a book.
•   Vishal will have been writing a book.

In the above given sentences, the verbs 'will write', 'will be writing', 'will have written' and 'will have been written' show an action to be done in the future. These verbs are said to be in the Future Tense.  

 

        Future Indefinite Tense

The Future Indefinite Tense is used to express a supposed action, determination and to put questions. This tense shows an action to be done in general way in the future time.  

  

      Look at the following sentences:

•   The government will dispose of the toxic waste.
•   We will reconsider about this matter.

In the above given sentences, the verbs 'will dispose' and 'will reconsider' show an action to be done in the future time. These verbs are in Future Indefinite Tense.  

Points to keep in mind

•   Future Indefinite Tense is used to show a future event.

      Example: He will file a compensation case in the court.

•   Future Indefinite Tense is used when we plane to do something at the time of speaking.

      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, possible actions or to put questions. This tense shows an action going on at some time in the future.  

 

      Look at the following sentences:

•   The government will be working for peace with Pakistan.
•   The Indian cricket team will be leaving for Australia tomorrow.

In the above given sentences, the verbs 'will be working' and 'will be leaving for' show an action going on at some time in the future. These verbs are in Future   Continuous Tense  

Points to keep in mind

•   Future Continuous Tense is used to show an action in progress at some time in future.

      Example: We think, he will be playing when we start.

•   Future Continuous Tense is used to show some future plan.

      Example: Steve will be visiting India 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:

•   He will have bought a computer before he gets a job.
•   Rita will have finished her cooking before the maid servant comes.

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.  

Points to keep in mind

•   Future Perfect Tense is used to show the completion of an action by a certain future time.                

      Example: She will have reached there by 9 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:

•   Zacob will have been teaching for 25 years next month.
•   Rose will have been studying for four hours when her mother comes.

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.  

Points to keep in mind

•   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.

      Example: We will have been going to the USA for a month.    

 

 

   

 

Fill in the blanks with suitable forms of verbs given in the brackets.    

 

  The Prime Minister _________ (leave for) Japan tomorrow.

(A) Was leaving for                                         

(B) Will leave for

(C) Has left for                                                  

(D) Has been leaving for

(E) I have written a letter  

 

Answer: (B)

Explanation: The Prime Minister will leave for Japan tomorrow.  

 

 

  Dhoni ______________ (lead) the team for five years.

(A) Is leading                                                     

(B) Has led

(C) Has been leading                                     

(D) Will lead

(E) He paints a picture  

 

Answer: (C)

Explanation: Dhoni has been leading the team for five years.      

 

 

 

 

• Tense is the form of verb, that shows the time of action and its degree of completeness. Tense gives us the knowledge of the time when an action is taking place.
• Tense is divided into three categories. They are: Present Tense, Past Tense and Future Tense.
• When an action or event takes place in present, it is known as Present Tense.
• When a verb indicates a completed action, it is known as Past Tense. When a verb indicates that an action will take place in future, it is known as Future Tense.