Tense

One of the most important function of the verb is to indicate the

time at which an action takes place, whether someone or
something is doing something, was doing or will do something.
This is expressed by tense. In many languages this is marked by
inflection (change the ending or form of a word to show its tense
e.g. sing - sang). In English tense is marked by inflection only in
the present and past tense.
There are several tense in English. The major ones are present
tense, past and future tense, but there are other categories relating
to these.

Present Tense
The present tense indicated an action now going on or state now
existing. It rises the base form, also known as infinitive form of
rd
the verb, as walk, run, make, go but it changes into 3 person
singular when it adds s to the base form, sometimes with a
spelling change, as walks, runs, makes, goes.

Forms of the Present Tense

There are 2 forms of the Present Tense, simple and continuous
present tense.
Simple Present Tense
Is used to indicate an action that is currently going on. In the
following sentences the underlined word are all verbs in the simple
present tense.
1)He works in the city.
2)She lives by the sea.
3)I want some food.

The simple present tense is also used to indicate something that is

always/generally true. In the following sentences the underlined
words are all verbs in simple present tense.
1)The world is round.
2)Oil floats on water.
3)Three and three makes six.

The simple present tense is also used to indicate an action that is

regular or habitual.
In the following sentences the underlined word are verbs in simple
present tense.
1)I rise at 7.
2)I work on Saturdays.
3)They walk to work.
Continuous Present Tense
Also called the progression present tense, is used when you are
talking about something that is happening at the very moment
when you are speaking or referring to an action or when you are
referring to an action continuing over a period of time including
the present and not complete at the time when you are referring
to it. This tense is formed using the present tense of the verb to be,
is, are and the present participle ending in ing of the main verb. It
frequently occurs in a contracted form, such as, I'm for I am,
You're for You are, Aren't for Are not.
In the sentences below the underlined words are verbs in the
continuous present tense.
1)We are having a drink.
2)I am studying the report.
3)She is feeling very nervous.
4)They aren't trying.

Exercise
Read the following passage and underline the present continuous
tense.
1)The village team is playing a cricket match today. children
and adults are sitting under huge trees to watch the game. The
captain is setting his field. The members of the visiting team
are standing on the lawn. They are waiting to send in their
first two batsmen. The sun is shining brightly on the cricket
pitch. The buckeyes are blowing gently. The water carts are
moving into their shelter. Some of the younger boys are
 climbing the trees. Others are sitting on the huge branches.
The referees are walking into the field.

2)Change the following sentences into the present continuous

tense.
Example
a) He usually plays on Sunday evening. (P.T)
b)He is playing on Sunday evening. (P.C.T)

1)Rolly always looks at news. (P.T)

2)Linda listens to music. (P.T)

3)John mows the lawn. (P.T)

4)Chad seldom polishes the furniture. (P.T)

5)Gretta looks after the pets. (P.T)

6)Mother bakes cakes and pies. (P.T)

7)Sometimes Luther rides his bicycle on the park. (P.T)

8)Father rarely works on a hot day. (P.T)

Read the following paragraph. Select the verb and their

subject. Circle the subjects and underline verbs.
I visited the library yesterday. The students were reading and the
librarian was sitting at the desk. She was writing the names of
students on the library cards. Several persons were borrowing
books. They were standing around the desk. Some boys were
taking books from the shelves. I was looking for my friends. They
were sitting around a table and they were discussing their
homework. The library assistant was talking to the little children.
They were disturbing those students who were studying quietly. I
was enjoying the evening at the library.

1)When and where were the actions taking place?

2)State the form of the verb used.

Past Tense
Refers to an action that has taken place before the present time. In
the case of regular verbs it is formed by adding ed to the base form
or infinitive form of the verb such as walked, looked, stated, failed
etc.
The simple past tense is also used to refer to an action or state that
occurred at some point in the past. In the following sentences the
underlined words are verbs in the past tense.
1)The car crashed into the van.
2)The child climbed the tree.

The simple past tense is also used to indicate a regular or repeated

action in the past.
1)the children attended the local Primary School.

Irregular verbs do not obey the rules which apply to regular verbs.
In particular, they deviate from the pattern of adding ed/d to the
infinitive form to form the past tense/pas participle forms.

Continuous Past Tense

Also called the progressive past tense and the imperfect tense is
used to refer to a continuing action that happened in the past and is
probably now complete. This tense is formed by using the past
tense form of the verb to be, was and were and the present
participle, ending in ing of the main verb as in we were living in
the area at the time.
In the following sentences the words underlined formed a
continuous past tense of the verb.
1)We were studying at the university then.
2)They were painting the kitchen yesterday.
3)She was serving in the bar last night.

The Continuous Progressive is also used to refer to an event in the

past that occurred during the course of another event. In the
following sentences the words underlined are used to form the
continuous past tense of the verb.

1)They were walking along the road when the car hit them.
2)I was running down the hill when I tripped and fell.

Exercise
Write 7 sentences using continuous past tense.

Exercise
Underline the past tense in the following sentences.
 1)Mary tore her dress while picking mangoes.

2)After tea they ate in the lounge.

3)First, we went to the gardens.

4)Peter met some friends in the park.

5)Joe brought apples through the vendors.

6)The sun shined through the windows.

7)Pam hit the ball over the road.

8)We drove for miles viewing the country side.

9)The boy stole the fruits from the old man's orchard.

10)The teacher taught us to be kind to others.

Exercise 2
Complete the following table
Infinitive Past Tense Past Continuous
Tense
1)Bet
 2)Shut
3)Dwell
4)Wet
5)Loose
6)Mean
7)Dig
8)Think
9)Win
10)Mow
11)Swell
12)Forbid
13)Freeze
14)Shrunk
15)Swear
16)Wake
17)Fly
18)Sit
19)Stick
20)Choose

Future Tense
The future tense describes action/state that will occur at some point
in the future. The future tense is formed by using will/shall with
the infinitive form of the main verb. It is used to predict/say what
is likely to happen in the future, as in work will begin next week.
Traditional Grammar
According to Traditional Grammar rules shall should be used with
I and we and will with you, he, she, it and they as in:
1)We shall arrive in time for tea.
2)I shall take the bus to work today.
3)You will find fresh milk in the fridge.
4)He will give you the book tomorrow.
5)She will aid us as a temporary researcher.
6)It will certainly spoil things.
7)They will be punished for this.

Again according to Traditional rules, this order is reversed for

emphasis and will is then used with I and we, as in:
1)I will succeed at this, believe me.
2)We will have the house of our dreams one day.
3)You shall get the dress you want if I have anything to do with
it.
4)He shall be punished for this if there is any justice.
5)My daughter shall have the wedding she dreams of.
6)They shall be made to pay for this I assure you.
Modern Usage
In Modern Usage things have changed and, increasingly will is the
preferred form in most modern writing. Whether these be
spoken/written context, in all but the most formal. The only
exception to this is the use of shall as used with I and we when
questions are being asked and even then, this is fairly formal
writing as:
1)Shall we proceed?
2)Shall I go on?
3)Shall we postponed the meeting until next week?
4)Shall I reserved a room for you?

In the following sentences the underlined words are used to form

the future tense as it is found in other usage:
1)I will have to leave now.
2)We will get the next bus.
3)You will require to give references.
4)He will see you now.
5)She will be accused of murder.
6)It will take a miracle.
7)They will do anything you want.
8)Shall I send you an application form
9)Shall we meet at the same time tomorrow?

Other ways of referring to the future.

You can also use be, about to / be going to with the infinitive form
of the main verb refer to the future.

In the following sentences underlined the words that referred to the

future.
 1)I am going to see her today.
2)You are about to discuss what happened.
3)You are going to experience danger.
4)They are about to improve.

Future tense is used to refer to a future action. It is formed by

using will be/ shall be followed by the Present Continuous Tense.
of the main verb, often a form, as:
1)I will be working late tonight.
2)I will be announcing the date of the exam tomorrow.

Exercise
Make sentences using the following sentence structure

Shall I Bring you a cup of coffee?

We Help you with the baggage?
Bring you a chair?
Go to the arena?
Go for a swim tonight?
Give you a hand with washing?

Vocabulary: Synonyms
Select from the choice the word or phrase nearest in meaning to the
underlined word.
1)His indomitable enable him to succeed in the most trying
circumstances.
a) brave
b)strong
c) unyielding
d)infallible

2)He looked at the diffident new student and decides that he

would be was pry for the lunch time raid.
a) difficult
b)shy
c) quiet
d)weak

3)He has uncaring ability to score in the most important

matches.
a) strange
b)unbearable
c) unfamiliar
d)unknown
4)Villages along the coast time are most vulnerable to the
ravages of his term or hurricane.
a) unprotected
b)liable
c) open
d)protected
5)Her supercilious meant that no one wanted to be her friend.
a) proud
b)shy
 c) sorrowful
d)friendly

Sentence Completion
Select the word/phrase which best complete each sentence
6)At first, the two candidates disagreed on every issue but as the
campaign went on, their opinion seemed to
a) dispense
b)hardened
c) support
d)converge

7)We found her ______ criticism, was structured and filled with
fairness
a) cluttered
b)ironic
c) eloquent
d)impressive
8)Nothing he might ______ next generation can be more
precious than charitable attitude.
a) lend
b)bequeath
c) give
d)relent

9)______ estimation were given to ensure a speedy and current

assembly of the wall frame.
 a) explicit
b)many
c) unclear
d)much

10)A collection was made to assist a ______ family who belong

to the congregation.
a) destitute
b)desirous
c) dear
d)deaf

Vocabulary: Antonyms
From the alternative given, choose the one word which is opposite
to the underlined word.

1 The schedule of work described here was realistic, according

to the views of those in authority only.
(impractical, normal, practical, relevant)
2 If you retain your connections here, there will be
consequences.
(sever, continue, support, enjoy)

3 Under attack, he proved how vulnerable he was.

(defenseless, courageous, formidable, determined)

4 We were very surprised at the exuberant welcome we

received.
(lavish, spirited, unfriendly, zealous)

5 The teacher's comments have convinced us that he is

extremely naive.
(sophisticated, simple, clever, zealous)

6 You have always been impartial in your comments.

(fair, biased, objective, wavering)

7 His altruism has always been observed and discussed by his

family.
(selfishness, concern, thoughtfulness, indifference)

8 He always made us feel he was affluent.

(amiable, destitute, brave, considerate)

9 Jill's statement was pertinent to the discussion on education.

(appropriate, unrelated, relevant, essential)
 10 He insists that this has been the most significant discussion he
has heard.
(trivial, valid, essential, sound)

Vocabulary: Antonyms
From the alternative given, choose the one word which is opposite
to the underlined word.

1 He has always treated us in a friendly manner, especially when

he is at the office.
(passionate, hostile, suspicious, partial)

2 I know that all your efforts at solving the problem will be

productive.
(futile, subverted, endangered, acclaimed)

3 Jerry has always been obedient to his superior officers no

matter where he worked.
(indifferent, deceitful, insolent, subordinate)

4 In some countries, military service is compulsory though

many people disagree with it.
(unnecessary, voluntary, rigid, desirable)
 5 We make occasional trips to the islands because of the climatic
conditions.
(rare, regular, commercial, infrequent)

6 It is our decision to deal with the important issues quickly in

order to save time.
(trivial, significant, meaningless, crucial)

7 I expected you to be impartial in dealing with this case.

(lenient, objective, indifferent, prejudiced)

8 Your ignorance of this project amazes me.

(knowledge, intelligence, mastery, experience)

9 John has always made malicious remarks about his teacher.

(spiteful, harsh, foolish, favourable)

10 We thought the sentence imposed on him was very severe.

(frightening, light, harmful, hard)
11 At that restaurant most people claim that the meals are
very sumptuous.
(tasteless, appetizing, sweet, delectable)

12 This is the most appropriate time to make that statement.

(fitting, inopportune, congenial, relevant)

13 In recent time he has shown himself to be diligent in his

attitude towards work.
(industrious, shy, lazy, unresponsive)
 14 I expect you to be perturbed by this incident.
(upset, affected, unmoved, disturbed)

15 We knew him to be a very docile person since he was

very young.
(intractable, willing, respectable, mature)

16 There will always be talk of your arrogance especially

among your colleagues. (pride, wealth, humility, ignorance)

Exercise
Write an argument on "Corporal punishment in schools"