TENSE

Introduction:

“Tense” in grammar is the time at which the main verb of a sentence is indicated.

In fact, whenever we discuss the topic of TENSE, we must have some idea of “ACTIVE & PASSIVE Voice”.  In this sub-topic, however, we begin with the ‘Active Voice’ and once we are through with it, we will continue with the “Passive Voice”.

There are about twenty-five tenses in English: twelve in Active Voice; eight in Passive; four from “If-clause conditionals” and a few more from ‘polite formulas’.

For starters we begin with the twelve tenses in Active Voice.

The TENSE in English grammar falls under three main heads and each one has four kinds in it.

And each of the four kinds in each of the three heads has its own formula and function.

Let’s discuss each TENSE in some detail:

1  SIMPLE PAST

2  PAST CONTINUOUS

3  PAST PE

4  PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

1  SIMPLE PRESENT

2  PRESENT CONTINUOUS

3  PRESENT PERFECT

4  PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

1  SIMPLE FUTURE

2  FUTURE CONTINUOUS

3  FUTURE PERFECT

4  FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

PAST

1.  Simple Past

formula:  the Past or V2 form of the Main Verb

go/goes – went — gone — going

walk/walks — walked — walked — walking

e.g.

I went back home early last night.

He walked her home yesterday.

‘Simple Past’ is used to express an action that was completed in the Past, with or without mentioning the time…

e.g.

I passed my driving test.     She sent a note of condolences this morning.

‘Simple Past’ is used to retell the “simple present” tense verbs in the Direct Speech

sentences in the Indirect Speech when the introductory verb is in Past…

e.g.

He said, “I go to school regularly.”    

[‘go’ – simple present tense, in Direct Speech]

(‘said’ introductory verb – simple past tense)

He said that he went to school regularly.

[‘went’ – simple past tense, in Indirect Speech]

When the main verb in the introductory clause is in the PAST TENSE’,

the main verb in the subordinate clause should be in the PAST TENSE.

There are, however, some exceptions to this strict rule:

when the subordinate clause in the Direct Speech Sentence expresses a UNIVERSAL TRUTH, it may be put in the Present Tense in the Indirect Speech:

e.g.

The teacher said to us, “Honesty is the best policy.” [truth] Direct

The teacher told us that honesty is the best policy.

Indirect — Tense unchanged – a universal truth

when the subordinate clause comes after the conjunction “than”, the main verb in it may be put in ANY TENSE required by the context:

[For more on CLAUSES go to the topic: SENTENCE]

e.g.  He demanded a higher price than she could pay.

[simple past in the main clause ---- simple past in the subordinate clause]

He demanded a higher price than she can pay.

[simple past in the main clause ---- simple present in the subordinate clause]

2.  Past Continuous

formula:  was/were + the present participle (‘ing’ form) of the Main Verb

go/goes — went — gone — going

walk/walks — walked — walked — walking

‘Past Continuous’ is used to express an action going on at a given point of time

or another activity in progress in the Past.

Past Continuous is used for the long action and simple past for the short action.

e.g.

He was crossing the road when I saw him.

[‘was crossing’ – past continuous – long action; ‘saw’ – simple past – short action]

‘Past Continuous’ is used to express an action going on when another action was also in progress…

e.g.

They were playing games while we were working.

3.  Past Perfect

formula:  had + the ‘past participle’ form of the Main Verb

go/goes — went — gone — going

walk/walks — walked — walked — walking

‘Past Perfect’ is used to express an action that was completed before another past action began…

[‘past perfect’ is used for the first of the two actions and the ‘simple past’ is used for the second action]

e.g.

She had left her office before he arrived there.

2.00 p.m.  –  3:00 p.m.  –  4:00 p.m. –  5:00 p.m. –  6:00 p.m.

[‘had left’ – at 4:00 p.m. – first action – past perfect tense; ‘arrived’ – at 5:00 p.m. – second action – simple past]

‘Past Perfect’ is used to express an action being done for a period of time before another past action began…

e.g.

He had worked here for two years before he left us last year.

Year …    2005  –  2006  –  2007  –  2008 –  2009  –  2010

{Suppose 2009 is the present year – he left us in 2008 last year – so he started to work somewhere in 2006 and from 2006 to 2008 he had worked for two years.}

Technically, ‘past perfect’ is never used alone; another past action is either mentioned or implied, and it is never used with a point of time directly.  However, we see this tense used without any  second action mostly in narrations.

I had finished my word at 2:00 p.m.  [wrong]

She had gone home early last night. [wrong]

In both these sentences the ‘simple past’ tense is to be used.

4. Past Perfect Continuous

formula:  had + been + the ‘present participle’ (‘ing’) form of the Main Verb

go/goes  –  went  –  gone  — going

walk/walks  –  walked  –  walked –  walking

‘Past Perfect Continuous’ is used to express an action being done for a period

of time and having a chance of continuing for some more time before another

past action began…

[‘Past Perfect Continuous’ is also used to change a ‘past continuous tense’ in the Direct Speech into Indirect Speech.]

e.g.

We had been watching TV for two hours when the power failed.

6:00 p.m. –  7:00 p.m.  –  8:00 p.m.  –  9:00 p.m. –  10:00 p.m.

{Suppose it is the present time is ‘9:00 p.m.’ – we started to watch TV at 6:00; there was a power cut at 8:00; and so we watched TV from 6:00 to 8:00 – two hours in the past}

_____________________________________

PRESENT

1. Simple Present

formula:  the Present/finite or V1 form of the Main Verb

go/goes –  went  –  gone  –  going

walk/walks –  walked  –  walked   –  walking

[‘Go’ and ‘walk’ are used with subjects in first person singular or plural, second person singular or plural and third person plural; ‘goes’ and ‘walks’ are used with subjects in 3^rd person singular number only.]

‘Simple Present’ is used to express a present regular or habitual action…

e.g.  I go to work every day.

We work hard to improve our standards.

Our bank is the largest of all in the town.

‘Simple Present’ is used to express a universal truth or an action that is common or natural everywhere and every time…

e.g.

The Sun rises in the East.   

The Earth is round. not a perfect circle, though, but it is a common saying} 

Rivers flow into the oceans.  {not all the rivers, but it is a common saying}

‘Simple Present’ is used to express a Past historical event in the present

time to make it more interesting, and is often called ‘historic present’…

e.g.

Tippu Sultan was a ruler of a place called Mysore in British India.  He revolted against the British.  He waged several wars.

These are the historical facts happened in the past (1782 — 1799) but while telling this story in the present time, the ‘simple present’ tense is used to make those facts look more realistic:

Tippu Sultan asks the British to leave his kingdom, but when the British do not listen to him, he revolts against them and wages several wars.

‘Simple Present’ is used to express a Future action when the activity is cent per cent confirmed…

e.g.

We go to Sydney this summer.  [= we have made all arrangements; just waiting for the summer vacation to start]

A Special Point:

When the main verb in the introductory clause is in the Present Tense, the main verb in the subordinate clause may be in ANY TENSE that the context requires:

e.g.

He thinks that she is there.

[‘thinks’ – simple present – main clause ------ ‘is’ -- simple present – sub-clause]

He thinks that she was there. 

[‘thinks’ – simple present – main clause ------ ‘was’ -- simple past –  sub-clause]

He thinks that she will be there.

[‘thinks’ – simple present – main clause ------- ‘will be’ – simple future – sub-clause]

For more on CLAUSES go to the topic: SENTENCE.

2. Present Continuous

formula:  am/is/are + the present participle (‘ing’) form of the Main Verb

go/goes  –  went  –  gone  — going  

walk/walks  –  walked  –  walked –  walking

‘Present Continuous’ is used to express an action going at the present…

e.g.

You are reading the lesson now.

I am listening to the news on TV; please, don’t disturb me.

She is driving her own car; see how confident she is!

‘Present Continuous’ is used to express a Future action when the activity is almost certain to happen…

e.g.  We are going to play chess with them tomorrow.

‘Present Continuous’ is used to express a present habitual action in a negative sense…

e.g.  That little boy is always running on to the street.

[= the speaker does not approve of that little boy running on to the street]

My neighbour’s dog is barking all night, every night.

3. Present Perfect

formula:  has/have + the past participle V3 form of the Main Verb

go/goes  –  went  — gone –  going

walk/walked  –  walked –  walked –  walking

‘Present Perfect’ is used to express an action that is just completed…

e.g.

He has just gone out.

She has finished typing the letter.

‘Present Perfect’ is used to express an action completed in the past, without ever mentioning the time, except such words as already, before etc. but with some connection to the present time…

e.g.

They have already seen that film on TV.

[so they may not like to see it again]

Mr. A. :   “Would you like some coffee?”

Mr. B.  :   “No, thanks.  I have just had one.” [so I don’t want to have any more]

‘Present Perfect’ is used to express an action started in the Past and continued to the Present, covering a period of time

e.g.

They have played the game for three hours now.

She has typed six letters since 10 in the morning.

9:00 a.m.    10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m.    12:00 noon    1:00 p.m.

{Suppose the present time is 1:00 p.m. – She started to type letters at 10:00 at now at 1:00 she finished typing six letters.}

4. Present Perfect Continuous

formula:  has/have + been + the present participle (‘ing’) form of the Main Verb

go/goes  –  went  –  gone –  going

walk/walks  –  walked  –  walked  — walking

‘Present Perfect Continuous’ is used to express an action started in the past, continued up to the time of speaking (present time) and has a chance of continuing in the Future…

e.g.

He has been reading that book for the last four hours.

6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.     8:00 p.m.    9:00 p.m.    10:00 p.m.     11:00 p.m.

{Suppose the present time is 10:00 p.m. – he started to read at 6:00 p.m. and still reading at 10:00 (present) and may continue to read.}

Before going into the Future Tense, we need to discuss an important point related to the “Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous” Tenses.

We have seen that in the above-mentioned examples, there are two words – for and since – used with the time frame.  We are bound to make mistakes in using them. Therefore, let’s see how and when we must use them with the time frame:

‘Since’ is used with a point of time.   ‘For’ is used with a period of time.

For example:

She has done a lot of writing since morning.

‘morning’ point of time with ‘since’

He has stood there staring at her for an hour.

‘an hour’ period of time with ‘for’

They have been arguing with us since 9:00 O’clock.

‘9:00 O’clock’ point of time with ‘since’

You have used my car for nine hours now.

‘nine hours’ period of time with ‘for’

We have been learning English since 2008.

‘year 2008’ point of time with ‘since’

We have learned English for eight years.

‘eight years’ period of time with ‘for’

We calculate the “point of time” from the time or date frame mentioned in the sentence to the present time or date, and the ‘period of time’ from the present time or date to the past backwards:  ‘since 2002’ is from the year 2002 to the present year 2009, for instance, i.e. seven years; and ‘for seven years’ is starting from the present year 2009 backwards to 2002.  Both expressions here give us the same time period but the usage is different: with “point of time” we use ‘since’ and with “period of time” we use ‘for’.

FUTURE

1. Simple Future

formula:  will/shall + the bare-infinitive form of the Main Verb

go/goes  –  went  –  gone  –  going  –  to go  — go  –  going

walk/walks — walked — walked — walking — to walk — walk — walking

‘Simple Future’ is used to express an action that is supposed to take place in the Future; the action may happen or may not happen because it is jus a supposition…

e.g.

I shall meet you next week.

The doctor will be with you soon.

We shall do it tomorrow.

Nobody will know that you are here.

A Special Point:

When the main verb in the introductory clause is in the Simple Future, the main verb in the subordinate clause may be in ANY TENSE that the context requires:

e.g.

He will think that she is there.

[‘will think’ -- simple future – main clause ----- ‘is’ – simple present – sub-clause]

He will think that she was there.

[‘will think’ – simple future – main clause ----- ‘was’ – simple past – sub-clause]

He will think that she will be there.

[‘will think’ – simple future – main clause ------ ‘will be’ – simple future – sub-clause]

For more on CLAUSES go to the topic: SENTENCE

2. Future Continuous

formula:  will/shall + be + the present participle (‘ing’) form of the Main Verb

go/goes  –  went  –  gone  — going

walk/walks  –  walked  –  walked  — walking

‘Future Continuous’ is used to express an action supposed to be going on at/before a given time (or an activity) in the future…

e.g.

We are late.  The teacher will be giving the lesson by the time we get to our classroom.

My daughter will be sleeping when I get home tonight.

His friend will be driving him home at noon tomorrow.

3. Future Perfect

formula:  will/shall + have + the past participle V3 form of the Main Verb

go/goes  –  went  — gone  –  going

walk/walks  –  walked  — walked –  walking

‘Future Perfect’ is used to express an action that is supposed to have completed before/at a given time or another activity in the future, covering a period of time…

e.g.

She shall have prepared all the notes by this time tomorrow.

We will have taken our final course by the end of this year.

4. Future Perfect Continuous 

formula:  will/shall + have + been + the present participle (ing) form of the Main Verb

go/goes  –  went  –  gone  — going

walk/walks  –  walked  –  walked  — walking 

‘Future Perfect’ is used to express an action that is supposed to be going on for a period of time, with the possibility of continuing further, at a given time or another activity in the future…

e.g.

He will have been sleeping for eight hours by the time we reach his home and wake him up.

She shall have been dancing for three hours by the end of the programme.    ______________________________

One verb or two verbs or three verbs…?

What we should remember is that not all the verb words we see in a sentence are verbs of that sentence because some verb words are not verbs at all —                     the non-finite verbs; some verbs acting as helping verbs are not taken as main verbs; some sentences have only one verb and some have more than one verb, and some verbs are only one part verbs and some others are more than one part verbs!  

This is a big book.

He has read this book.

We have been waiting for him.

In the first sentence ‘is’ is the verb – one Main verb with only one part – simple present tense.

In the second sentence ‘has read’ is the Verb – one verb with two parts – ‘has’ — helping verb; ‘read’ – the past participle V3 form of the main verb ‘read’ – present perfect tense.

In the third sentence ‘have been waiting’ is the verb – one verb with three parts – ‘have’ & ‘been’ – helping verbs; ‘waiting’  – the present participle (ing) form of the Main Verb ‘wait’ – present perfect continuous tense.

Now look at these sentences…

He was crossing the road when I saw him. 

We shall have been doing this course for five months by the time you return from training.

In the first sentence there are two verbs:  ‘was crossing’ and ‘saw’ — ‘was crossing’ – one verb with two parts – ‘was’ – helping verb; ‘crossing’ – the present participle (ing) form of the main verb ‘cross’ — past continuous tense;  ‘saw’ – one verb with only one part – simple past tense. In the second sentence also there are two verbs: ‘shall have been doing’ and ‘return’ — ‘shall have been doing’ – one verb with four parts – ‘shall’, ‘have’ & ‘been’ – helping verbs; ‘doing’ – the present participle (ing) form of the main verb ‘do’ – future perfect continuous tense; ‘return’ – one verb with only one part – simple present tense.

A SIMPLE SENTENCE takes only one Verb with any number of parts in it but COMPOUND, COMPLEX AND COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCES take more than one Verb with any number of parts (maximum four parts) in each verb, depending on the context.

There are a couple of important points related to TENSE we all must learn.

They are:

when the subordinate clause comes after “than”, the main verb in this subordinate clause may be put in any TENSE required by the context:

e.g. 

a) He demanded a higher price than she could pay. 

(‘demanded’ – simple past; ‘than’ – conjunction; ‘could pay’ – simple past)

b) He demanded a higher price than she can pay.

(‘demanded’ – simple past; ‘than’ – conjunction; ‘can pay’ – simple present)

when the verb in the introductory clause is in the PRESENT OR FUTURE TENSE,

the verb in the subordinate clause may be in any tense that the context requires:

e.g.

a) He thinks that she is there.  [simple present --- simple present]

He thinks that she was there.  [simple present --- simple past]

He thinks that she will be there. [simple present --- simple future]

b)  He will think that she is there.    [simple future --- simple present]

He will think that she was there.  [simple future --- simple past]

He will think that she will be there.  [simple future --- simple future]

And there are some more important points related to Direct-Indirect Speech, so please go to the topic of DIRECT-INDIRECT SPEECH!

<<< Back to The Verb /  Next Active — Passive Voice >>>

[If directed from, back to "Direct - Indirect Speech"]

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