What is Tense?

The word “Tense” is derived from the Latin

word “Tempus” which means time. Based on
time frame, that is when the action is taking
place, we can divide or categorize tense into
three types:
• Present Tense
• Past Tense
• Future Tense
 The present, past and future tenses have
been categorized into four types.
 Indefinite Tense
 Continuous Tense
 Perfect Tense
 Perfect Continuous Tense
Present Indefinite Tense

The tense which expresses a repeated

action or situation that exists only now. It
can also represent a timeless facts.
EXAMPLES:
The sun rises in the east. (Timeless Fact)
Spiders make webs. (Timeless Fact)
I brush my teeth twice a day. (Habitual)
I go to school daily. (Habitual)
Structure:
Simple sentence

S + Ist form of verb (-s or -es) + O.

Ex: He writes an essay.
He, she, it or any name= Singular noun = s, es
I, we, you, they=plural noun ( s, es are not used.)
Negative sentence
S + do/does +not+ Ist form of verb + O
Ex: He does not read the book.
He, she, it, any name (singular noun) does
I, we, you, they (plural noun) do
Interrogative Sentence
Do/does + S + Ist form of verb + O + ?
Ex: Does she pass the exams?
Present Continuous Tense
Actions happening at the moment of
speaking (now).
 I am writing an email.
She is speaking to someone.
Actions that are scheduled in the future.
 I’m going to meet Barbara tonight.
 Structure
Simple Sentence
Subj + am/is/are + 1st form of verb +ing + Obj.
Negative Sentence
Subj + am/is/are + not + 1st form of verb +ing +
Obj.
Interrogative Sentence
Am/is/are + subj + 1st form of verb +ing + Obj?
Examples
 I am working in bank.
 He is not working in bank.
 Are you working in bank?
Present Perfect Tense
 To talk about a present situation that
started in the past and there is some
sort of completion in them.
Example:
 They have visited many places.
 I have written 16 books.
Structure
Simple Sentence
Subj + have/has +3rd form of verb + Obj.
Negative Sentence
Subj + have/has+ not + 3rd form of verb+ Obj
Interrogative Sentence
Have/has+ subj + 3rd form of verb + Obj?
Examples
 He has bought a lot of new clothes.
 He has not bought a lot of new clothes.
 Has he bought a lot of new clothes?
Present Perfect Continuous
 Actions that started in the past, continue
into the present, and may continue into
the future.
Examples:
 The children have been playing since
morning.
 My neighbour has been living next door
to me for two years.
Structure
Simple Sentence
Subj + have/has + been +1st form of verb + ing+ Obj+
since/for +time
Negative Sentence
Subj + have/has +not+ been +1st form of verb + ing+
Obj+ since/for +time
Interrogative Sentence
Have/has +subject+ been +1st form of verb + ing+
Obj+ since/for +time?
Examples
 He has been living in this house since Wednesday.
 He has not been living in this house since Wednesday.
 Has he been living in this house since Wednesday?
Use of ‘for’ and ‘since’
 For and Since – We use them with present
perfect to talk about the duration of a state or an
action which began in the past and which still
continues. They answer the question “How long...?

For: To talk about how long an action or state has

continued (period of time)
 She has been working here for three months.
Since: To refer to the specific moment when a
state or an action began. (point of time)
 She has been working here since last summer.
Difference b/w Perfect and Perfect
Continuous
 The present perfect continuous tense is used to talk
about a continuous, but not necessarily finished
action or situation.

 The present perfect tense is used to talk about a

finished action or situation.

Examples:

 I have been gardening since morning. (Focus on

continuity)
 I have planted several new saplings. (Focus on
completion)