GRAMMAR:TENSES

Time is universally divided into past, present, and future. Tense is a form of the verb that expresses time. 

GROUP / TIME	PAST	PRESENT	FUTURE
SIMPLE	Subject+V2+object	Subject+V1+s/es+object	Subject+will+V1+object
CONTINUOUS	Subject+was/were+V1+ing+object	Subject+is/am/are+V1+ing+object	Subject+will be+V1+ing+object
PERFECT	Subject+had+V3+object	Subject+has/have+V3+object	Subject+will have+V3+object
PERFECT CONTINUOUS	Subject+had been+V1+ING+object	Subject+have/has been +V1+ ing+ object	Subject+will have been +V1+ ing + object

USAGE OF PRESENT TENSE

The simple present tense is used

(i) to express universal truths, facts, customs:

• The sun sets in the west.
• The earth revolves round the sun.

(ii) to express habitual action:

• I go to temple daily.
• My father goes for a walk in the evening.

(iii)    to express an action that takes place at present or at the time of speaking:

• Rita plays near the swings.
• She sings with guitar.

(iv) to show a future event that is already planned

• The competition begins at 11 am.
• The assembly starts at 8:30 in the morning.

(v) to write headlines for newspaper reports.

• Pune becomes the most effected city .
• School remains closed due to pandemic. 

(vi ) to express natural processes/qualities or activities related to any profession.

• The green vegetables are rich in fibre.
• Acrobats show various tricks to entertain spectators.

(vii) in proverbs which state some permanent truth

• A stitch in time saves nine.
• Never judge a book by it's cover.

The present perfect tense is used :

(i) to express an action that has been recently completed. 

• Our team has won the match.
• He has just left the place.

(ii) for past actions whose time is not given.

• He has been to Agra.
• I have met him before.

(iii) with adverbs like already,often,recently,yet,etc.

• I have already read this novel.

• She has not replied to my letter yet.

(iv) for an action which began in the past and is still continuing.

• They have lived in this city for a long time.

• He has been ill since Tuesday.

The present progressive tense is used:

(i) for an action which is in progress at the time of speaking.

• He is reading a news paper.

The present perfect progressive tense is used :

(i) to express an action which began at some time in the past and is still continuing.

• It has been raining since morning.

• She has been teaching for ten years.

(ii) to express an action which has already been finished.

• She has been working all the day.

• He has been watering the plants.

USAGE OF PAST TENSE

Simple past tense is used

 (i) To express a past habit

(ii) To express an action that was completed before the time of speaking

(iii) To express an action that took place over a period of time in the past

(iv) To narrate a story

Past continuous tense is used

 (i)To express an action going on at some time in the past

(ii) To express an action that was a habit in the past

(iii) To indicate an action which had started at sometime when other action took place

 

Past perfect tense is used

 

(i)To describe an action that was completed before another action took place

(ii) As the past form of the present perfect specially in indirect speech

(iii) To report a completed action in the past

 

Past perfect continuous tense is used

 (i) To show an action that had been going on before another past action.

(ii) To show an action that was recently completed

 USAGE OF FUTURE TENSE

Simple future tense is used 

 (i) To express an action which will take place in future 

(ii) To express planned or intended action in future 

(iii) To refer to a general statement about the future

 

Usage of will

1. When we decide to do something at the time of speaking

2. To express something that will definitely happen

3. To express the views of the speaker

4. To offer to do something

5. To request somebody to do something

6. To promise to do something

   # These days shall is mainly used to ask questions ,to give suggestions or to make offers.

 

Future continuous tense is used

 (i) to indicate an action that will be going on in the future 

(ii) to refer to a pre-scheduled future plan 

(iii) to refer to a longer ongoing future action interrupted by another short a future action

 

Future perfect tense is used

 (i) To indicate an action which will be completed before a certain time in future

 (ii) To refer to a long action before a particular time in future

(iii) To refer to an action that will begin at a particular time in future and will continue beyond that time