Tenses

What is Tense?
Tense is the form taken by a verb to indicate the time of action, continuance, or
completion. It is divided into three categories:
● Present Tense - something which is happening at present time.
● Past Tense - something which happened in the past.
● Future Tense - something which will happen in the future.
These three categories are divided into four sub-categories:
● Simple
● Continuous
● Perfect
● Perfect Continuous
Let us understand each of these in detail.

Present Tense
1. Simple Present Tense
[Formula: sub + V1 + obj]
It expresses a habitual action.
e.g. She takes her dog for a walk
It expresses a general truth.
e.g. Two and two make four.
It is used in exclamatory sentences with ‘here’ and ‘there’ to express what is
actually taking place in the present.
e.g. Here comes the train!
It is used in quotations.
e.g Teacher says, “Honesty is the best policy.”
2. Present Continuous Tense
[Formula: sub + am/is/are + V1 + ing + obj]
It expresses an action that is going on at the time of speaking.
e.g. It is raining heavily.
It expresses a temporary action that may not be happening at the time of
speaking.
e.g. He’s working on a project.
It expresses an action that is arranged or planned to take part in the near future.
e.g. He is traveling to New York tomorrow.
Note: When the reference is to a stubborn habit, present continuous tense is
used instead of simple present tense.
Incorrect No use in scolding him, he always does what is forbidden.
Correct No use in scolding him, he is always doing what is forbidden.
Note: In some cases, there are some verbs that are used in simple present form
while carrying present continuous sense. Refer the list below:
● Verbs of appearing - appear, look, seem.
● Verbs of emotion - want, wish, desire, feel, like, love, hate, hope, refuse,
prefer.
● Verbs of perception - see, hear, smell, notice, recognize.
● Verbs of possession - belong to, contain, consist of, have, own,
possess.
● Verbs of thinking - agree, believe, consider, forget, imagine, know, mean,
mind, remember, think, suppose, trust, understand.
● The verb ‘be’.
3. Present Perfect Tense
[Formula: sub + has/have + V3 + obj]
It expresses activities that are completed in the immediate past.
e.g. She has just come.
It expresses past actions with indefinite time.
e.g. I have written two books by now.
4. Present Perfect Continuous Tense
[Formula: sub + has/ have + been + V1 + ing + obj+ for/ since + time]
It expresses an action that began in the past and is still continuing.
e.g. They have been building the road for a week now.
Note: In some cases, there are some verbs that are used in present perfect form
while carrying the present perfect continuous sense.
Incorrect I have been knowing him for a long time.
Correct I have known him for a long time.

Past Tense
1. Simple Past Tense

[Formula: sub + V2 + obj]

It is used to indicate the action taken place in the past.

e.g. I met her last week.
It is used to indicate past habitual actions.
e.g. I visited the museum every week.
2. Past Continuous Tense
[Formula: sub + was/were + V1 + ing + obj]
To express an action happening sometime in the past.
e.g. When I met him, he was studying with full focus.
To express persistent habits in the past.
e.g. He was always chewing gum.
3. Past Perfect Tense
[Formula: sub + had + V3 + obj]
It is used to express an action that was completed before a certain period of time
in the past.
e.g. He had written a novel when he was a kid.
Note: When two actions happen in the past, the first one is denoted in past
perfect and the next one is denoted in the simple past.
e.g. I had deposited the money in that bank when my friend came to meet me.
4. Past Perfect Continuous Tense
[Formula: sub + had + been + V1 + ing + obj+ for/ since + time]
It is used to express an action that began at a certain point in the past and
continued till that time.
e.g. Kapil Dev had been playing for more than a decade when Tendulkar
entered the Indian cricket team.
Future Tense
1. Future Simple Tense

[Formula: sub + shall/will + V1 + obj]

It expresses an action that is yet to happen and will take place in the future.
e.g. He will play football tomorrow.
2. Future Continuous Tense

[Formula: sub + shall/will + be + V1 + ing + obj]

It expresses an action as going on some time in the future.

e.g. He will be coming home this holiday.
3. Future Perfect Tense

[Formula: sub + will/shall + have + V3 + obj]

To indicate the completion of an action at a certain time in the future.

e.g. I shall have read the books when we meet next.

4. Future Perfect Continuous Tense

[Formula: sub + shall/will + have + been + V1 + ing + obj+ for/ from + time]
It expresses an action that is in progress and will end sometime in the future.
e.g. He will have been teaching for 25 years when he retires.

Exercise-1: these questions are exactly copied from famous books kindly change
the language at least

In the below questions, spot the errors

1. The question is (a) / so complicated that (b) it could not be solved immediately
(c). / No error (d
Correct option is c
Explanation: Use ‘it cannot be’ in place of ‘it could not be’. The given sentence
is in present tense so use of ‘can’ is correct. That’s why we change the option c
in this question number 1.
2. Ragesh finished his work (a) / just before you came to see him (b) / at his
residence. (c) / No error (d)
Correct option is a
 Explanation: Use ‘Ragesh had finished his work’ in place of ‘Ragesh finished his
work. Past perfect tense is used to describe past event. That’s why we change
the option a in this question.
3. If I would have spoken to my father (a) / as you spoke to me (b) / he would have
beaten me. (c) / No error (d)
Correct option is a
Explanation: Use ‘if I had’ in place of ‘if I would have’, this will make this
question correct according to tenses.
4. By the end of this month (a) / I will have been travelling for 6 months. (b) / No
error (d)
Correct option is b
Explanation: Use ‘I will have travelled for 6 months’ in place of ‘I will have been
travelling for 6 months’. The given sentence is in future continuous tense.
5. Foolishly Dhananjay threw (a) / some water on the electric heater (b) / when it
catches fire (c) / and he got a shock. (d) / No error (e)
Correct option is c
Explanation: Use ‘when it caught fire’ in place of ‘when it catches fire, To make
this question correct according to the tenses.
6. The enmity between the (a) / two groups had reached a level (b) /where
reconciliation has (c) / become impossible. (d) / No error (e)
Correct option is c
Explanation: Use ‘two groups has reached a level’ in place of ‘two groups had
reached a level’, To make this question correct according to tenses.
7. If Deepak had been with us (a) / from the beginning (b) / we would be much
happier. (c) / No error (d)
Correct option is c
Explanation: Use ‘we would have been much happier’ in place of ‘we would be
much happier’, To make this question correct according to tenses.
8. As soon as Sujeet saw the tiger, (a) / he run (b) / and climbed the tree. (c) / No
error(d)
Correct option is b
Explanation: Use ‘he ran’ in place of ‘he run’, To make this question correct
according to tenses.
9. Rakesh has already gone (a) / before the (b) / roof fell down to the earth. (c) / No
error (d)
Correct option is a
 Explanation: Use ‘Rakesh had already gone’ in place of ‘Rakesh has already
gone’, To make this question correct according to tenses.

10. The film started (a) / before reached (b) / because we were late. (c) / No error (d)
Correct option is a
Explanation: Use ‘the film had started’ in place of ‘the film started’, To make this
question correct according to tenses.
11. When you will find out (a) / any solutions to this problem you will become able (b)
/ to finish the project. (c) / No error (d)

Correct option is a
Explanation: Use ‘when you find out’ in place of ‘When you will find out’, To
make this question correct according to tenses.
12. Whenever you are coming here, (a) / you bring a lot of (b) / sweets for me. (c) /
No error (d)
Correct option is a
Explanation: Use ‘Whenever you come here’ in place of ‘Whenever you are
coming here’, To make this question correct according to tenses.
13. A misogynist is a person (a) / who is hating woman but a philogynist is a person
(b) / who loves woman. (c) / No error (4)
Correct option is b
Explanation: Use ‘who hates woman but a philogynist is a person’ in place of
‘who is hating woman but a philogynist is a person’, To make this question
correct according to tenses.
14. Now-a-days he teaches physics (a) / because the teacher of physics (b) / has
been absenting himself for a month. (c) / No error (d)
Correct option a
Explanation: Use ‘Now-a-days he is teaching physics’ in place of ‘Now-a-days
he teaches physics’, To make this question correct according to tenses.
15. ‘It is high time (a) / you are starting this work’. (b) my friend said to me. (c) / No
error (d)
Correct option is b
Explanation: Use ‘you started this work’ in place of ‘you are starting this work’,
To make this question correct according to tenses.
16. Many of my friends (a) / wish to come here today but (b) / none of them arrived
yet. (c) / No error (d)
 Correct option is c
Explanation: Use ‘none of them has arrived yet’ in place of ‘none of them arrived
yet’, To make this question correct according to tenses.
17. She says that she will take (a) / her umbrella (b) / in case it will rain. (c) / No error
(d)
Correct option is c
Explanation: Use ‘in case it rains’ in place of ‘in case it will rain’, To make this
question correct according to tenses.
18. When I will be thirty (a) / most of my friends (b) / will be above thirty five, be sure.
(c) / No error (d)
Correct option is a
Explanation: Use ‘When I am thirty’ in place of ‘When I will be thirty’, To make
this question correct according to tenses.
19. This is indeed, (a) / the first time in my life that I hear (b) / such an interesting
story. (c) / No error (d).
Correct option is b
Explanation: Use ‘the first time in my life I have heard’ in place of ‘the first time
in my life that I hear’, To make this question correct according to tenses.
20. Before the alarm (a) / had stopped ringing (b) / John had pulled up the shade.
(c) / No error (d)
Correct option is b
Explanation: Use ‘stopped ringing’ in place of ‘had stopped ringing’, To make
this question correct according to tenses.
21. I have been knowing (a) / him for ten years but I don’t know (b) / where he lives.
(c) / No error (d)
Correct option is a
Explanation: Use ‘I have known’ in place of ‘I have been knowing’, To make this
question correct according to tenses.
22. If he had a few hours to spare, (a) / he would spend (b) / them in public library.
(c) / No error (d)
Correct option is d
Explanation: In this this question there is no error everything is according to the
rules of tenses so there is no need to change anything.

23. If I would have done this, (a) / I would have done wrong and would have
disappointed (b) / many of friends. (c) / No error (d)
 Correct option is a
Explanation: Use ‘If I had done this’ in place of ‘If I would have done this’, To
make this question correct according to tenses.
24. I wish I saw you (a) / when you were (b) / living in England. (c) / No error (d)
Correct option is a
Explanation: Use ‘I wish I had seen you’ in place of ‘I wish I saw you’, To make
this question correct according to tenses.
25. I lived here since 1980, (a) / therefore I know everything (b) / about the city. (c) /
No error (d)
Correct option is a
Explanation: Use ‘I have been living here since 1980’ in place of ‘I lived here
since 1980’, To make this question correct according to tenses.

Exercise 2 - Fill in the blanks with appropriate option

1. My mother asked me when . . . . . . have a glass of milk.

A. I will
B. I shall
C. I would
D. Would I

The correct answer is I would.

Explanation: My mother inquired as to when I would like a glass of milk.

2. Maria ………………….. for a drink this evening.

A. comes
B. is coming
C. has come
D. will come

The correct answer is is coming.

Explanation: The present continuous tense is used to discuss future events that have
been planned in advance.

3. If he ………………………….. a good education, he wouldn’t have reached this

position.

A. haven’t had
B. hadn’t had
C. didn’t have
D. haven’t have
The correct answer is hadn’t had.

Explanation: The past perfect tense form of the verb have is 'hadn't had.' The verb in
the if-clause should be in the past perfect tense when we use 'would have + past
participle' in the main clause.

4. Tomorrow is difficult. I would rather you _____________ next weekend.( couldn’t

understand this one)

A. come
B. came
C. had come
D. have come

The correct answer is came.(not possible)

Explanation: We use the past tense with a present or future meaning after 'would
rather.'

5. I was tired because I ________ all day.

A. am working
B. worked
C. had been working
D. had worked

The correct answer is had been working.

Explanation: When we describe a past event as continuing up to a specific time in the

past, we use the past perfect continuous tense.

6. ________ for twenty years this autumn.(subject of the sentence is missing)

A. have been teaching

B. am teaching
C. will have been teaching
D. had been teaching

The correct answer is will have been teaching.

Explanation: To say that something will be completed by a certain time in the future,
we use the future perfect or future perfect continuous tense.

7. The train __________ at half past six tomorrow morning.

A. leaves
B. is leaving
C. will leave
D. has left

The correct answer is leaves.

Explanation: We use the simple present tense for things that are scheduled in the
future.

8. I …………………… the shopping. What shall I do now?

A. have done
B. did
C. had done
D. will do

The correct answer is have done.

Explanation: The present perfect tense is used to suggest the completion of an activity
in the unspecified or unknown past. In this instance, the speaker does not specify when
he went shopping. The emphasis here is solely on the concept of completion.

9. I …………………………. many musical instruments, but my favourite is the piano.

A. studied
B. had studied
C. study
D. have studied

The correct answer is have studied.

Explanation: The present perfect tense is used to suggest the completion of an activity
in the unspecified or unknown past. The present perfect tense is not used to refer to a
time in the past. In that case, we must use the simple past.

10. Developing nations ……………………… fossil fuels and raw materials because their
economy …………………….. rapidly.

A. are needling, is growing

B. need, had developed
C. are needling, grows
D. need, is growing

The correct answer is need, is growing

Explanation: It is a fact that developing countries require fossil fuels, and we use
simple present tense to discuss facts.
11. Students should always work hard because universities
………………………………… the best students.

A. are accepting
B. have been accepting
C. have accepted
D. accept

The correct answer is accept.

Explanation: The facts should be written in the simple present tense.

12. The oil on a duck’s feathers ……………………. water and ……………………. the
bird from getting soaked in the rain.

A. is repelling, preventing
B. repels, prevents
C. repels, is preventing
D. repelled, prevented

The correct answer is repels, prevents.

Explanation: When discussing facts, we use the present simple tense.

13. It is true that I still have some difficulties in English, but I ………………………..
better now.

A. am understanding
B. understand
C. have understood
D. understood

The correct answer is understand.

Explanation: Some verbs are used to refer to states. Examples include: like, dislike,
believe, comprehend, and so on. Verbs referring to the state are always used in their
simplest form.

14. I will kill anybody who …………………………. my possessions.

A. is touching
B. would touch
C. will touch
D. touches

The correct answer is touches.

Explanation: When the verb in the main clause is in the simple future tense, we use the
present tense to refer to the future in the subordinate clause.

15. If I had had any money, I ………………………… you a drink.

A. will buy
B. would buy
C. would have bought
D. would be buying

The correct answer is would have bought.

Explanation: There are three ways to write this sentence. (Type 1 conditional) I'll buy
you a drink if I have enough money. (Type 2 conditional) I'd buy you a drink if I had
enough money. (Type 3 conditional) I would have bought you a drink if I had enough
money.

16. By the time he was twenty, he ………………….. at least six different jobs.

A. had
B. have
C. have had
D. was wishing

The correct answer is had.

Explanation: The past perfect form of the verb have is 'had.' When we are talking about
the past and want to refer back to a previous time, we use the past perfect tense.

17. If I …………………… another fifteen minutes, I would have finished the paper.

A. had
B. have
C. have had
D. had have

The correct answer is had.

Explanation: The past perfect form of the verb 'had' is 'had'. We use the past perfect
tense in the if-clause and 'would have + past participle' in the main clause in type 3
conditional sentences.

18. The Principal always … to the idea of having a picnic fearing any mishap.

A. Oppose
B. Opposed
C. Opposing
D. Opposes
The correct answer is Opposes.

Explanation: Because the action occurs on a regular basis in the present, we will use
the present tense.

19. Poverty ... a problem that ... with population-control failures.

A. Be, increase
B. Is, increased
C. Is, increases
D. Was, increased

The correct answer is Is, increases.

Explanation: Because the action occurs on a regular basis in the present, we will use
the present tense.

20. I ... music for eight hours daily when I was a kid.

A. Study
B. Studies
C. Studied
D. Studying

The correct answer is Studied.

Explanation:Because the action occurred in the past, we will use the past tense.

21. We ... the seaside places this summer to enjoy the sight.

A. Visit
B. Visited
C. will Visit(typo)
D. Visits

The correct answer is will (typo) Visit.

Explanation: Because the action may occur in the future, we will use the future tense.

22. Rajesh ... at our home when he ... to town for his conference.

A. were staying, come

B. will stay, came
C. stayed, would come
D. will stay, comes

The correct answer is will stay, comes.

Explanation: Because the action occurred in the past, we will use the past tense.
23. All of us ... that he can be a great marathon-runner if he … his stamina.

A. believe, increased
B. will believe, would increase
C. believe, increases
D. believed, would increase

The correct answer is believe, increases.

Explanation: The first action occurs on a regular basis in the present, while the second
may occur in the future.

24. When the doctor ... into the room the nurse ... him the medical report.

A. was coming, will hand

B. will come, was handing
C. is coming, will be handing
D. came, handed

The correct answer is came, handed.

Explanation: Because the action occurred in the past, we will use the past tense.

25. She … to keep it a secret till her parents ... home.

A. wants, come
B. wanted, comes
C. would want, will come
D. wanted, came

The correct answer is wants, come.

Explanation: The first act takes place in the present, while the second takes place in
the future.