Tenses
Tense is the form of the verb that shows the time of an action, and it is the backbone of English grammar and of the ADRE Grade IV General English paper. There are three main times, present, past and future, and each of these has four forms, simple, continuous, perfect and perfect continuous, which together make twelve tenses. The subject looks large, but the whole system rests on a few small structures, and once these are learned the candidate can build any sentence correctly. The method followed in the Master Book approach is to decide the time first, then decide whether the action is simple, going on, or completed, and finally to apply the correct helping verb. Reading the time words in the sentence is the quickest route, because words such as now, yesterday, since and tomorrow tell the candidate exactly which tense is wanted.
Basic Terms
- Tense: the form of the verb that shows the time of the action.
- Present tense: shows an action in the present time.
- Past tense: shows an action already finished.
- Future tense: shows an action yet to happen.
- Aspect: whether the action is simple, continuous, perfect or perfect continuous.
- Helping verb: a verb such as is, has or will used with the main verb.
The three times combine with the four aspects to give twelve tenses. Knowing the name and one example of each of the twelve is the first step in the topic.
The Present Tenses
The simple present shows a habit, a general truth or a fixed arrangement, as in she reads every day. The present continuous shows an action going on now, as in she is reading. The present perfect shows an action just completed or one whose time is not stated, as in she has read the book. The present perfect continuous shows an action that began in the past and is still going on, as in she has been reading for an hour.
The Past Tenses
The simple past shows a finished action at a definite past time, as in she read the book yesterday. The past continuous shows an action going on at a past time, as in she was reading at eight. The past perfect shows an action completed before another past action, as in she had read the book before she slept. The past perfect continuous shows an action going on for a length of time before a past moment, as in she had been reading for an hour when he came.
The Future Tenses
The simple future shows an action to happen later, as in she will read the book. The future continuous shows an action going on at a future time, as in she will be reading at eight. The future perfect shows an action to be completed before a future time, as in she will have read the book by then. The future perfect continuous shows an action going on for a length of time up to a future moment, as in she will have been reading for an hour by then.
Time Words as Signals
Certain words point to certain tenses. Now and at present point to the present continuous. Every day, usually and always point to the simple present. Yesterday, last week and ago point to the simple past. Since and for point to the perfect or perfect continuous. Tomorrow, next week and by then point to the future. Reading these words first often gives the answer at once.
Sequence of Tenses
When two actions happen in the same sentence, the tenses must be arranged logically. If the main verb is in the past, a second action that happened earlier takes the past perfect, and one that happened at the same time takes the past continuous. This rule of the sequence of tenses is tested through sentences in which two past actions must be ordered correctly.
How This Topic Appears in the Examination
In ADRE Grade IV, APSC and Assam Police English papers the tense appears as a blank in which the correct form of the verb must be filled, as an error detection sentence in which the tense is wrong, or as a sentence to be changed into another tense. The tested points are usually the present perfect with since and for, the simple past with a definite past time, and the correct choice between the simple past and the past perfect.
Shortcut Methods for Quick Answers
Find the time word first and let it choose the tense. Check the subject for its number before choosing the helping verb. For actions in two past times, use the past perfect for the earlier one. Make sure since is followed by a point of time and for by a length of time. Read the finished sentence once to hear whether it sounds right.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using the simple past where the present perfect is needed, as in I saw him yesterday with no time word problem, or I have seen him yesterday, which is wrong.
- Using since with a length of time, as in since two hours.
- Forgetting the helping verb in a perfect tense.
- Mixing the past simple and past perfect, so that the order of events becomes unclear.
- Using the present continuous for a permanent truth.
How to Prepare This Topic
- Learn the twelve tenses with one clear example each.
- Memorise the time words that signal each tense.
- Practise since and for with the perfect tenses.
- Work on sentences with two past actions and the sequence of tenses.
- Finish with a mixed fill-in-the-blank set and read each answer in the full sentence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many tenses are there in English?
There are twelve in the usual scheme, three times, present, past and future, multiplied by four aspects, simple, continuous, perfect and perfect continuous.
When do I use the present perfect instead of the simple past?
Use the present perfect when the time is not stated or the effect continues to the present, as in I have finished my work. Use the simple past with a definite past time, as in I finished my work yesterday.
What is the difference between since and for?
Since is followed by a point of time, as in since 2016 or since morning. For is followed by a length of time, as in for two hours. Both are used with perfect tenses.
How do I order two actions in the past?
The earlier action takes the past perfect and the later action the simple past, as in the train had left before we reached the station. This makes the order of events clear.
How do time words help in choosing the tense?
They point directly to the tense required. Now, yesterday, since and tomorrow are signals that tell the candidate which of the twelve tenses fits the sentence.