Tenses

Site: KWASU-Virtual
Course: GNS101 - Use Of English I
Book: Tenses
Printed by: ADAM AREMU
Date: Thursday, 17 October 2024, 11:15 AM
 Table of contents
1. DEFINATION OF TENSES

2. TYPES OF TENSES

3. FUNCTION OF SIMPLE PRESENT TENSES

4. PRESENT PROGRESSIVE/CONTINOUS TENSE

5. PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

6. FUNCTIONS OF SIMPLE PAST TENSE

7. . SEQUENCE OF TENSES

8. TENSE AND TIME

9. TENSE AND Aspects

10. PILOT QUESTION

 1. DEFINATION OF TENSES
What are Tenses?
Tenses are defined as verbs used to indicate or denote the time of occurrence of an action or event. These verbs
that take up different forms to indicate the time of an action, event, or condition by changing its form are called
as tenses.

Tense is the relation of words or state of being to time. The tense of a verb helps tell when action occurs or
something exists.
 2. TYPES OF TENSES
Tenses are primarily classified into three categories :

1. Past Tense: The verbs that are used to indicate an action, event, or condition that has happened in the past
are known as past tense.

2. Present Tense: The verbs that are used to indicate an ongoing event or an event that is currently occurring
in the present moment are known as present tense.

3. Future Tense: The verbs that are used to indicate an event that is going to occur in the future.
 3. FUNCTION OF SIMPLE PRESENT TENSES
1. 1. FUNCTIONS OF THE SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE

Present tense states present action or existence. It is used for

1. Habitual actions e.g (a) The baby cries. (b) The teacher teaches
2. Eternal truths e.g (a) The earth is round. (b) The sun shines.
3. Commands e.g (a) Go home now. (b) Lock the door
4. Instructions e.g (a) Mix Garri and sugar. (b) Teach the students well.
5. Future actions on which decision has been taken. e.g (a) Examination starts……….. (b) Lecture ends…………….
 4. PRESENT PROGRESSIVE/CONTINOUS TENSE
PRESENT PROGRESSIVE/CONTINOUS TENSE

Present progressive tense is used for action taking place now but which is yet to be completed as in: (a) We are
reading our lecture notes (b) Dayo is cheating his parents.
 5. PRESENT PERFECT TENSE
PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

Present perfect tense tells of past action that may or does continue. It is used for an idea that has just been
completed. i.e the time of completion is not far from now as in: (a) The Vice chancellor has just addressed us.
(b) John has just written his promotion examination.
 6. FUNCTIONS OF SIMPLE PAST TENSE
1. 1. FUNCTIONS OF SIMPLE PAST TENSE

Past tense tells of past action or existence that has stopped

(a) Simple Past Tense

Simple past tense is used for:

1. An action that took place before now, as in:

(a) Final year students did well in the examination.

(b) Dr. Haruna passes the test

1. A state of being that existed before now as in:

(a) The boy married last year.

(b) The students protested last week.

1. After an action, as in:

(a) It is high time we left the University.

(b) If I were you, I would withdraw.

(c) I wish I were in his shoes.

(b) Past Progressive/Continous Tense

Past progressive tense is used for an action that took place over a period of time before now, as in:

(a) Professor Jowilt was teaching History

(b) Dada was playing with snake.

(c) Past Perfect Tense

Past Perfect Tense states past action or existence completed before some other action or existence is
mentioned. It is used for an action that took place at a point in time before now and which was completed
a long time before now and which was completed a long time ago, as in:

(a) I had married before he was born.

He had died before he was taken to the hospital

 7. . SEQUENCE OF TENSES
. SEQUENCE OF TENSES

Sequence of tenses refers to the rules of governing the relationship between the grammatical tenses of
verbs in a related clause or even sentence.

Rule 1: If the verb in the main clause is in the present tense or future, the verb in the subordinate clause can be in
the present, past or future tense. Examples include;

I love what Dada likes

I love what Dada liked

I love what Dada like

Rule 2: Nevertheless, if the verb is in the main clause is in the past tense, its subordinate clause must retain the
past tense as in;

We didn’t know that he was good.

However, we have three exceptions to this rule

a) If the verb in the subordinate clause states a universal truth or a habitual fact the verb must be in the
present tense even if the verb in the main clause is in the past.

The lecturer said that the earth is spherical.

b) If the word ‘than’ introduces the subordinate clause, the sense determines the tense required as in;

The man hated me more than he hates Bayo.

He cared for others more than he cares for his parent.

Rule 3: If the subordinate clause is an adverb or adjective, the verb therein may be in any tense according to the
sense implied even if the verb in the main clause is in the past tense.

I don’t like what she did.

Bala killed rats when he sees any.

He talks as if he were the king.

6. TENSE AND TIME

 8. TENSE AND TIME
. TENSE AND TIME

Tense informs the listener/reader of the time an event associated with main verb occurs with respect to
the time of utterance. It could be before, after or during the time of utterance. Temporal adverbs such as
‘tomorrow or now’ are used.

Temporal connectives – informs the reader about the relationship between the event in the main clause
and the events in the subordinate clause as;

I was sleeping when he arrived.

 9. TENSE AND Aspects
. TENSE AND ASPECTS

Tense in the verbs expresses time. Aspect expresses how the speaker views the action of verbs.

E.g. The house is burning right now.

The house will burn next year.

Verbs fall into 4 categories in terms of lexical aspects

Stative verbs – describes situations rather than action. They are continuous and unchanging. It could be
emotional, physical or cognitive.

He loves his wife

Activity verbs – verbs that express action that go on for an indefinite period.

I brush my teeth daily

Atelic verbs – verbs that lack end point.

He travels around the world.

He beats his child always.

Accomplishment verb – verbs that have termination that is logical in terms of their actions

He built a house.

He bagged a degree.
 10. PILOT QUESTION
PILOT QUESTIONS 1 – 10

INSTRUCTION: FILL IN THE GAPS

PRESENT TENSE SIMPLE TEST PRESENT TENSE

1. Begin _____________ ________________

2. Blow _____________ blown
3. Fly flew ________________
4. Lead _____________ ________________
5. Begin _____________ ________________
6. Go _____________ ________________
7. Cry cried ________________
8. Teach _____________ ________________
9. Run _____________ ________________
10. Eat _____________ ________________