|
Tense Structures |
|
|
Simple Present |
s+v1/v5+obj |
|
Present Continuous |
s+is/am/are+v4+obj |
|
Present Perfect |
s+has/have+v3+obj |
|
Present Perfect
Continuous |
s+has/have+been+v4+obj |
|
Simple Past |
s+v2+obj |
|
Past Continuous |
s+was/were+v4+obj |
|
Past Perfect |
s+had+v3+obj |
|
Past Perfect Continuous |
s+had been+v4+obj |
|
Simple Future |
s+will/shall+v1+obj |
|
Future Continuous |
s+will/shall+be+v4+obj |
|
Future Perfect |
s+will/shall+have+v3+obj |
|
Future Perfect Continuous |
s+will/shall+have+been+v4+obj |
|
Going to Future Tense |
s+is/am/are+going
to+v1+obj |
Grammar Focus: Simple Present Tense
Read the following description.
It is time for recess. I am on the playground with my
friends. First, we play hopscotch.
Next, we throw a ball. Later, we see the swings,
and we race over to them. I pump my swing faster and higher than my friends Jenish and Pemba. We get off and
run to the slide. We have to wait in line for the slide. When my turn finally comes, I climb to the top
of the ladder and sit down on the slide. I push off with my hands and go down very fast. I laugh because it is fun.
Then the bell rings. I quickly drink some water
and wave goodbye to
Jenish and Pemba.
In the given description, the coloured words are in
simple present tense. Simple present tense tells us about the things that are
permanently true. Let’s observe the following table:
|
Subject |
Auxiliary |
Verb |
Main Verb |
|||
|
I, We, You, They |
|
|
like |
coffee. |
||
|
He, She |
|
|
likes |
coffee. |
||
|
I, We, You, They |
do |
not |
like |
coffee. |
||
|
He, She |
does |
not |
like |
coffee. |
||
|
Do |
I, we, you, they |
|
like |
coffee? |
||
|
Does |
he, she |
|
like |
coffee? |
||
|
Affirmative Negative Interrogative |
Sub+v1/v5+obj Sub+do/does+not+v1+obj
Do/Does +sub +v1+ obj +? |
|
||||
SIMPLE
PRESENT TENSE IS USED:
¦ to
express universal, general truths. The sun rises in the east.
Water boils at 100oC. Blood is
red.
The
earth moves round the sun.
¦ to express habitual actions, regular actions.
She
takes a glass of milk every morning.
I
always go to temple. He never has wine.
¦ to express scheduled future actions,
future actions with present time table.
The
bus leaves at 5 pm.
I
take 5 o’clock plane tomorrow.
¦ to express English proverbs and quotations.
Man is mortal. Honesty is the best policy. All that
glitters is not gold.
¦
to
explain events in the live commentaries.
Aryan
controls the ball and kicks it away to the goal post.
¦ to express timetable and travel management.
Our school
starts at 9 am. The match begins at 11 am.
¦ in the sentence beginning with
‘here’ and ‘there’.
Here
comes the bus.
There
she goes.
¦ with simple future tense, in the
clauses of cause and effect.
If
you work hard, you’ll pass the test.
If
he comes to the party, she’ll be happy.
¦ to tell about someone’s job or profession.
He
works in a bank.
Raman
is an engineer.
¦
to
describe events, situations or actions described in stories, dramas, fictions,
films, etc.
In
Muna Madan, Madan goes to Lhasa to earn money.
At
last the hero kills the criminal.
¦ with the following adverbs:
He
always sleeps in the day time.
I
can see her every time I visit the zoo.
Aryan frequently visits the temple. We go for a picnic
once a year.
She hardly drinks alcohol.
Whenever I need money, I remember you. Grammar Focus: Present Continuous Tense Read the following description.
In the given description, the coloured words are in
present continuous tense. Present continuous tense describes the things that
are happening or existing for a period of time without interruption. Let’s
observe the following table:
|
Subject |
Auxiliary |
Verb Main Verb |
|||
|
I |
am |
|
drinking |
coffee. |
|
|
We, You, They |
are |
|
drinking |
coffee. |
|
|
He, She |
is |
not |
drinking |
coffee. |
|
|
I |
am |
not |
drinking |
coffee. |
|
|
We, You, They |
are |
not |
drinking |
coffee. |
|
|
Am |
I |
|
drinking |
coffee? |
|
|
Are |
we, you, they |
|
drinking |
coffee? |
|
|
Is |
he, she |
|
drinking |
coffee? |
|
|
Affirmative |
Sub+is/am/are+ v4+obj |
|
|||
|
Negative |
Sub+is/am/are+not+v4+Obj |
|
|||
|
Interrogative |
Is/Am/Are+sub+v4+obj+? |
|
|||
PRESENT
CONTINUOUS TENSE IS USED:
¦ for
an action going on at the time of speaking.
The boys are playing in the ground. The vehicles are
running on the way.
¦ for an action that is planned or
arranged to take place in the near future.
My
sister is arriving tomorrow.
We
are going to Kathmandu next month.
¦ for a long- term process and development.
The
climate of the world is altering.
The
pollution in Kathmandu valley is increasing day by day.
¦ for
a changing situation. My health is getting
worse. It is getting older.
¦
for
a temporary action which may not be actually happening at the time of
speaking.
I am reading a book of Shakespeare. I am writing a book
on grammar.
I am
living in an apartment.
I am
taking computer classes this month.
¦ after short expressions that draw
attention like: Stop! Listen! Look! Don’t
disturb! Don’t cross the road! After ‘but today, but now’, etc.
Look! He is coming here. Hurry up! The bus is leaving.
Do
not make a noise! The child is sleeping.
They
always go to school on foot but today, but now they are riding on bicycles.
¦ with the following adverbs:
They
are walking on the road now.
He
is still sitting under the tree.
I am
going overseas in the near future.
We are organizing a party this evening. Grammar Focus: Present Perfect
Tense Read the following dialogue.
|
Deepa: Have you seen the ski shop that’s just
opened
new branch in the High Street? Mina: Yes, I have. It has opened it recently, hasn’t it? I haven’t been in there yet. Deepa:
I went there yesterday. It’s really
good. Look! I have bought some
gloves. It is good for skiing. Have you skied lately or
not? Mina: No, I haven’t skied for
ages actually. I’ve got some skis
- I’ve
had them for years. I used to ski a lot when I was younger. Deepa: Where have you gone so far? Mina: We have been to Austria many times. Deepa:
I’ve been to Scotland twice, but I’ve never
done
any skiing abroad. I’m really looking
forward to going to Italy. |
In the above given dialogue, the coloured words are in
present perfect tense. The present perfect tense is the form of verb that expresses an action done in a period up to the present.
Let’s observe the following table:
|
Subject |
Auxiliary |
Verb |
Main Verb |
|||
|
I, We, You, They |
have |
|
drunk |
coffee. |
||
|
He, She |
has |
|
drunk |
coffee. |
||
|
I, We, You, They |
have |
not |
drunk |
coffee. |
||
|
He, She |
has |
not |
drunk |
coffee. |
||
|
Have |
I, we, you, they |
|
drunk |
coffee? |
||
|
Has |
he, she, it |
|
drunk |
coffee? |
||
|
Affirmative |
Sub+has/have+v3+obj |
|
||||
|
Negative |
Sub+has/have + not+v3+obj |
|
||||
|
Interrogative |
Has/Have+sub+/v3+obj+? |
|
||||
PRESENT PERFECT TENSE IS USED:
¦ to
denote a completed action in the recent past.
I have just finished the work. She has
just come from London.
¦
to
denote recent past actions which have results in the present.
She has played volleyball. (She is sweating) I have cut
my finger. (It’s bleeding)
¦
with
‘since + point of time or for + period of time’ to denote an action beginning
at sometime in the past and continuing up to the present moment.
I haven’t known them for 10 years.
I have joined the
class for two months.
¦ to express interesting incidents or experiences.
I have seen a one-horned rhino in jungle. I
have spent two months in South Korea. I have read Harry Porter.
¦ for a new information or recent happening.
They have
just arrived from the party.
The prime
minister has resigned.
¦
with
the following adverbs:
They
have never seen the sea.
They
have recently published the book.
I
have not written the document yet.
¦ This is the first time, it is the
first time + Present Perfect.
This is the first time I’ve joined computer classes. It
is the first time Dip has travelled by plane.
¦ Present Perfect + Since + Simple Past.
I
haven’t met Roman since he passed the SLC.
He hasn’t studied anywhere since he missed
the annual exam.
Grammar Focus:
Present Perfect Continuous Tense
Read the following dialogue.
|
Mina: I shall have to go into hospital
some time to have an operation on my leg. Mohan: Are you on the waiting
list? Mina: Yes, I’ve been waiting for
three years. Mohan: Three years! That’s awful! You’ve been suffering all that time. Mina: Well, I have to use the wheelchair, that’s all. Mohan: They’ve been cutting expenditure,
trying to save money. It’s not right. Mina: My son David
has written to them three
times. He’s been trying
to get me in quicker. I don’t know if it’ll do
any good. |
In the above given dialogue,
the coloured words are in present perfect
continuous tense. The present perfect continuous tense is
the form of verb that expresses an action that started somewhere in the past and is continuing up to now to the present. The action might
continue up to the future too. Let’s observe the following table:
|
Subject Auxiliary
Verb Auxiliary Verb Main Verb |
|||||
|
I, We, You, They |
have |
|
been |
drinking |
coffee. |
|
He, She |
has |
|
been |
drinking |
coffee. |
|
I, We, You, They |
have |
not |
been |
drinking |
coffee. |
|
He, She |
has |
not |
been |
drinking |
coffee. |
|
Have |
I,
we, you, they |
|
been |
drinking |
coffee? |
|
Has |
he,
she |
|
been |
drinking |
coffee? |
|
Affirmative |
Sub+has/have+been+v4+obj |
|
|||
|
Negative |
Sub+has/have+not+been+v4+obj |
|
|||
|
Interrogative |
Has/Have+sub+been+v4+obj+? |
|
|||
¦
Present perfect continuous tense is used for an action this began at some time in
the
past and is still continuing.
I have been waiting her for six hours.
She has been living in this village since
2061 B.S.
¦
‘Since +point
of time’, ‘for +period
of time + now’, ‘all +present
time: all this morning,
afternoon, evening, all this week, month, years’.
She has been practicing dance all this
morning.
We have been studying here since our
childhood.
¦
Used
with these verbs: stay, live, wait,
work, sleep, read, etc.
She has been reading for ten hours.
I have been teaching
here since 2007.
Grammar Focus:
Simple Past Tense
Read the
following description.
|
I have just had a
terrible weekend! On Saturday I was so tired
that I slept
all morning. When I woke up I had a headache
and my throat was sore. My body ached all
over. My nose ran and I coughed a lot.
My mother took my temperature but I did not have a fever. My mother made me some
soup for lunch
and I had it in bed. I drank
some juice. I tried to read a book but I couldn’t keep my eyes open.
I lay in bed all afternoon. I drifted in and out
of sleep. I drank more juice.
I felt miserable all afternoon. I didn’t want to do anything. I got out
of bed at dinner time. My parents ordered pizza
for dinner and I was able to eat
some of it. I drank more
juice! I felt a bit
better after dinner so I stayed up. I snuggled under a blanket on the couch
and watched some TV with my parents. I fell asleep in front
of the TV. The next
morning I felt better but now
my mother had a cold!
She looked miserable. It was
her turn to be sick |
In the
above description, the coloured words are in simple past tense. The simple past
tense is used to describe the completed actions in the past. Let’s observe the
following table:
|
Subject Auxiliary
Verb Main Verb |
||||
|
I, We, You, They |
|
|
drank |
coffee. |
|
He, She |
|
|
drank |
coffee. |
|
I, We, You, They |
did |
not |
drink |
coffee. |
|
He, She |
did |
not |
drink |
coffee. |
|
Did |
I, we, you,
they |
|
drink |
coffee? |
|
Did |
he, she |
|
drink |
coffee? |
|
Affirmative |
Sub+v2+obj |
|
Negative |
Sub+did+not+v1+obj |
|
Interrogative |
Did+sub+v1+obj+? |
SIMPLE PAST TENSE IS USED:
¦ to
denote an action completed in the past.
Manu’s father died of cancer last year. They passed the
exam in 1999.
¦
to
express past habits.
We went to temple every day. (But not now) Harry ran
miles every morning.
¦
to
express the historic events.
Chandra Shumsher Built Tri-Chandra College. Devkota wrote
Muna Madan.
¦
with
when clause.
When his father came in, he started reading the book.
When the bell rang, the teacher entered into the classroom.
with the following adverbials:
We saw a Giraffe yesterday.
They visited the Taj Mahal last year.
Grammar Focus: Past
Continuous Tense
Read
the following description.
|
Last night I went
to Nathan Phillips Square at City
Hall in Toronto. It was a beautiful summer evening. It was warm and sunny. Lots of people were there because
of the Pan Am games celebrations.
I stood and watched the crowd. Many people were sitting by the water. Some people were talking with friends or family. Lots of
people were
taking pictures. A band was playing music on the stage. People were standing by the stage. They were listening to the music. Others were watching the performance on
large video screens. Everyone was enjoying the
summer evening. |
In the above given description, the coloured words are in
past continuous tense. Past continuous tense describes the things that were
happening or existing for a period of time without interruption in the past.
Let’s observe the following table:
|
Subject Auxiliary Verb Main Verb |
||||
|
I |
was |
|
drinking |
coffee. |
|
We, You, They |
were |
|
drinking |
coffee. |
|
He, She |
was |
|
drinking |
coffee. |
|
I |
was |
not |
drinking |
coffee. |
|
We, You, They |
were |
not |
drinking |
coffee. |
|
Was |
I |
|
drinking |
coffee? |
|
Were |
we, you, they |
|
drinking |
coffee? |
|
Was |
he, she |
|
drinking |
coffee? |
|
Affirmative Sub+was/were+v4+obj |
||||
|
Negative Sub+was/were+not+v4+obj |
||||
|
Interrogative Was/Were+sub+v4+obj+? |
||||
PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE IS USED:
¦ to
denote an action going at sometime in the past.
He was washing clothes all morning yesterday. It was
raining all day yesterday.
¦
to
refer to a temporary situation in the past.
Rica was living with her uncle. They were taking extra
classes.
¦
with
while clause.
The phone rang while I was eating rice.
¦
It
often occurs with ‘ all +past time’
I was
travelling by plane at this time yesterday. They
were painting the fence all day yesterday. Grammar Focus: Past Perfect Tense
Read the following
description.
|
Yesterday, my parents had a large family
dinner at their house. Getting ready for thanks giving dinner takes a lot of work. The day started well
and by late
afternoon we had completed most of the work.
Everyone had helped to make
the meal a success. We had put the turkey
in the oven earlier that
day so the house
was starting to smell like roast
turkey. The grandchildren had finished setting
the table for Thanks giving dinner. My
aunt had
made two pies for dessert, a pumpkin
pie and an apple pie. My brother and I had peeled the carrots and the potatoes. We had just turned on the stove to start cooking the vegetables when the
power went out! The oven stopped working! We
couldn’t cook the vegetables! The turkey wouldn’t finish cooking! We waited. We talked. We went
for a walk. We had waited two hours by the time the power came back on. We had almost given up hope. Dinner was late that night but it
was a thanksgiving dinner that we won’t forget. |
In the above
given description, the
coloured words are
in past perfect
tense. The past perfect tense is the form of verb that
expresses an action done in a period in the past. Let’s observe the following table:
|
Subject |
Auxiliary Verb |
|
Main Verb |
|||
|
I, We, You,
They |
had |
|
drunk |
coffee. |
||
|
He, She |
had |
|
drunk |
coffee. |
||
|
I, We, You,
They |
had |
not |
drunk |
coffee. |
||
|
He, She |
had |
not |
drunk |
coffee. |
||
|
Had |
I, we, you,
they |
|
drunk |
coffee? |
||
|
Had |
he, she, it |
|
drunk |
coffee? |
||
|
Affirmative |
Sub+had+v3+obj |
|
|
|
||
|
Negative |
Sub+had+not+v3+obj |
|
|
|
||
|
Interrogative |
Had+sub+v3+obj+? |
|
|
|
||
¦
Past
perfect tense is used to denote an action completed before a certain moment
in
the past.
I had met him in Kathmandu in 2005. I had seen him last three
years before.
¦
It is also used to show which of two actions
in the past happened earlier
than
the
other.
The boy went home after he had completed
the work.
The boy had completed the work before he
went home.
When he reached home, his father had been
taken to hospital.
¦
Simple
past for 2nd action, past perfect for 1st action
The thieves had run away when the police
arrived.
¦
As
soon as +past perfect simple past (If two actions happen in the past one after another)
As
soon as I had completed my work, I went for dinner.
Grammar Focus: Past
Perfect Continuous Tense
The past perfect continuous tense is the form of verb
that expresses an action that started somewhere in the past and was continuing
up some point of time in the past. Let’s observe the following table:
|
Subject |
Auxiliary Verb |
Auxiliary Main
Verb Verb |
|||
|
I, We, You, They |
had |
|
been |
drinking |
coffee. |
|
He, She |
had |
|
been |
drinking |
coffee. |
|
I, We, You, They |
had |
not |
been |
drinking |
coffee. |
|
He, She |
had |
not |
been |
drinking |
coffee. |
|
Had |
I, we, you, they |
|
been |
drinking |
coffee? |
|
Had |
he, she |
|
been |
drinking |
coffee? |
|
Affirmative |
|
Sub+had+been+v4+obj |
|
||
|
Negative |
|
Sub+had+not+been+v4+obj |
|
||
|
Interrogative |
|
Had+sub+been+v4+obj+? |
|
||
This
tense is used for an action that began at certain point in the past and
continued up to that time.
When I came here two years ago, Mr. Aman had already been
working there for six months. She had been trying to get him on the phone.
Grammar Focus: Simple
Future Tense
The
simple future tense is the time that will come after the present or the event
that will happen then. Let’s observe the following table:
|
Subject |
Auxiliary Verb |
|
Main Verb |
||
|
I, We, You, They |
will |
|
drink |
coffee. |
|
|
He, She, It |
will |
|
drink |
coffee. |
|
|
I, We, You, They |
will |
not |
drink |
coffee. |
|
|
He, She It |
will |
not |
drink |
coffee. |
|
|
Will |
I, we, you,
they |
|
drink |
coffee? |
|
|
Will |
he, she |
|
drink |
coffee? |
|
|
Affirmative |
Sub+shall/will+v1+obj |
|
|
|
|
|
Negative |
Sub+shall/will+not+v1+obj |
|
|
|
|
|
Interrogative |
Shall/Will+sub+v1+obj+? |
|
|
|
|
¦ This tense is used for an action
that has still to take place.
I will go to Kathmandu next week. He will be married
soon.
¦ It is used with ‘If clause’
If
it rains, I won’t go to office.
If
I pass the exam, I will have the job.
¦ I (don’t) think, I (don’t) expect, I
am sure, probably + simple future tense.
I think, he will surely pass the exam. I am sure they
will win the match.
I
don’t think Raj will come to us.
¦ It is used with the following time adverbials.
She will go to Bangladesh tomorrow.
I will finish this work in a couple of
days.
Grammar Focus:
Future Continuous Tense
The
future continuous tense is the time that expresses an ongoing action at a
certain point in the future. Let’s observe the following table:
|
Subject Auxiliary
Verb Main Verb |
|||||
|
I, We, You, They |
will |
|
be |
drinking |
coffee. |
|
He, She |
will |
|
be |
drinking |
coffee. |
|
I, We, You, They |
will |
not |
be |
drinking |
coffee. |
|
He, She It |
will |
not |
be |
drinking |
coffee. |
|
Will |
I,
we, you, they |
|
be |
drinking |
coffee? |
|
Will |
he,
she |
|
be |
drinking |
coffee? |
|
Affirmative Sub+shall/will+be+v4+obj |
|||||
|
Negative Sub+shall/will+not+be+v4+obj |
|||||
|
Interrogative Shall/Will+sub+be+v4+obj+? |
|||||
¦ It is used for an action going on at
some time in future.
They
will be reading books all the morning tomorrow.
¦ It is used for future events that
are planned.
He
will be talking to us next week.
¦
It
is used with following adverbials: at this time tomorrow, at this moment tomorrow, etc.
I
will be reading in the class at this time tomorrow.
We
will be playing cricket at this moment tomorrow.
Grammar Focus:
Future Perfect Tense
The
future perfect tense is the form of verb that expresses an action completed
before a particular point in the future. Let’s observe the following table:
|
Subject |
Auxiliary
Verb Main Verb |
||||
|
I, We, You, They |
will |
|
have |
drunk |
coffee. |
|
He, She |
will |
|
have |
drunk |
coffee. |
|
I, We, You, They |
will |
not |
have |
drunk |
coffee. |
|
He, She |
will |
not |
have |
drunk |
coffee. |
|
Will |
I, we, you, they |
|
have |
drunk |
coffee? |
|
Will |
he, she |
|
have |
drunk |
coffee? |
|
Affirmative |
Sub+shall/will+have+v3+obj |
|
|||
|
Negative |
Sub+shall/will+not+have+v3+obj |
|
|||
|
Interrogative |
Shall/Will+sub+have+v3+obj+? |
|
|||
¦ It is used to indicate the
completion of action by a certain future time.
I will have finished the work by tomorrow. By 2018, she will have passed the exam.
Before you go to see her, she will have left home.
I will have written a novel before March.
¦ By
+ time, before + time, in + period of time. We will
have finished our higher studies by 2020. She will have finished painting before 2
o’clock.
Rona will have finished nursing in three
years time.
Grammar Focus:
Future Perfect Continuous Tense
This tense expresses a continued or ongoing action that
will start in future and is thought to be continued till sometime in future.
|
Subject |
Auxiliary Verb |
Auxiliary Auxiliary Verb Verb |
|
Main Verb |
||||
|
I, We, You, They |
will |
|
have |
been |
drinking |
coffee. |
||
|
He, She |
will |
|
have |
been |
drinking |
coffee. |
||
|
I, We, You, They |
will |
not |
have |
been |
drinking |
coffee. |
||
|
He, She |
will |
not |
have |
been |
drinking |
coffee. |
||
|
Will |
I, we, you, they |
|
have |
been |
drinking |
coffee? |
||
|
Will |
he, she |
|
have |
been |
drinking |
coffee? |
||
|
Affirmative |
Sub+shall/will+have+been+v4+obj |
|
|
|
||||
|
Negative |
Sub+shall/will+not+have+been+v4+obj |
|
|
|
||||
|
Interrogative |
Shall/Will+sub+have+been+v4+obj+? |
|
|
|
||||
¦
‘By, before + future
time’ and ‘for+ period of time’
By next year, she will have been teaching
in the school for three years.
¦
‘In
+ period of time’ and ‘for + period of time’
In two months, I will have been learning
music for a year.
Grammar Focus:
Going to Future Tense
This tense expresses an action that is
going to take place in near future.
Let’s observe the following table:
|
Subject |
Auxiliary
Verb Main Verb |
||||
|
We, You, They |
are |
|
going to |
drink |
coffee. |
|
I |
am |
|
going to |
drink |
coffee. |
|
He, She |
is |
|
going to |
drink |
coffee. |
|
We, You, They |
are |
not |
going to |
drink |
coffee. |
|
I |
am |
not |
going to |
drink |
coffee |
|
He, She |
is |
not |
going to |
drink |
coffee |
|
Are |
we, you, they |
|
going to |
drink |
coffee? |
|
Am |
I |
|
going to |
drink |
coffee? |
|
Is |
he, she |
|
going to |
drink |
coffee? |
|
Affirmative |
Sub+is/am/are+going to+v1+obj |
|
|||
|
Negative |
Sub+is/am/are+not+going to+v1+obj |
|
|||
|
Interrogative |
Is/Am/Are+sub+going to+v1+obj+? |
|
|||
¦ Used
to express intention.
I am going to be a driver.
I am going to have three apples.
¦
Used
to describe that something is beyond our control.
He is going to die.
The fence is going to fall.
¦
Used
for planned action.
I am going out. I am going to post some
letters.
¦
Used
without a time expression.
She is going to lend me her raincoat.
 |
Grammar Focus: Summary of All Tenses
|
|
PERFECT |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 2 When she
retired, she had worked all
her life. |
1 2 So, far, she
has
worked all
her life. |
1 2 When she retires, she will have
worked all her life. |
|||
|
|
PERFECT PROGRESSIVE |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 2 When she retred, she
had
been working for
40 years. |
1 2
She has been working for 40 years. |
1 2 When she retires, she will have
been working for 40 years. |
|||
Grammar Focus: Tense Contrasts
A.
When+ simple present, simple present/future First action-when clause
Second
action-main clause that is the result of
first action
When the teacher goes to the class, the students stand
up. When I let student play, they will be happy.
B.
When
+ simple past, past continuous
First
action-main clause that has already been
started
Second
action-when clause that interrupts the
first action When the teacher entered the class, the students were playing. He
telephoned me, when I was reading.
C.
When/by
the time+ simple past, past perfect
First
action-main clause in which one action
had already completed before another
started
Second
action-when clause
When the teacher entered the class, the students had
already left. By the time I reached the station, the train had already gone.
D.
While
+ past continuous , simple past
First action-while clause
Second
action-main clause
While it was snowing, they started their expedition.
While they were discussing, I left for home.
E.
Simple
past + after, that, what, as soon as
+ past perfect First action-another clause
Second
action-main clause
He arrived at the station after the train
had gone.
He started crying as soon as he had heard
of his father’s death.
F.
Past perfect
+ by the time, before,
until + simple past
First action-main clause
Second
action-another clause
The train had gone before he arrived at the station. The
patient had died before the doctor arrived there.
G.
If/unless
+ simple present, simple future: to talk about particular time in future
If he does n’t study, he’ll fail the exam. Unless you
write to me, I won’t write to you.
H.
As/when
+simple past, simple past: one action caused another action
As I scolded him, he started crying. When I saw the
principal, I ran away. She fell down when I pushed her.
I. While
+ past continuous, past continuous: two actions are happening at the same time
While I was studying,
my brother was watching TV.
The class was going on while I was playing
in the ground.
J. Going to/Present Continuous + time
word
It is often possible to use either tense:
I’m seeing them
tomorrow. I’m going to see them
tomorrow. The going to future is
very common, especially in conversation.
If there is doubt about which of the two
futures to use, it is better to use going
to. With the verbs go and come, it is better to use
the present continuous.
Present continuous + time word is generally used for plans arranged for
a particular time in the future.
Grammar Focus:
Common Errors
|
Incorrect Correct |
|
|
|
The
ship sank. |
|
T |
There
are only blue jelly beans left. |
|
|
He
said that honesty is the best policy. |
|
|
Teacher said that
the earth revolves around the sun. |
|
|
I
am so weak that I cannot walk. |
|
|
Tell
me why you are abusing him. |
|
|
I
wonder why you don’t listen to me. |
|
|
Alice
as well as her sisters is beautiful. |
|
|
I
have been ill for two weeks. |
|
|
I
have been waiting since morning. |
|
|
The
economy is growing again this year. |
|
|
They
are building a home next to mine. |
|
|
I
saw him yesterday. |
|
|
I
want to buy a car. |
|
|
The doctor
concluded that the man had died twelve hours ago. |
|
|
We
went to the pictures last night. |
|
|
I
went to New York recently. |
|
|
See
that you do not do any damage. |
A.
Change the following sentences into
different aspects of tense.
|
Tense Sentences Sentences |
||
|
Simple
Present |
Krishal
drives a car. |
Krishala
teaches students. |
|
Present Continuous |
|
|
|
Present Perfect |
|
|
|
Present Perfect
Continuous |
|
|
|
Simple Past |
|
|
|
Past Continuous |
|
|
|
Past Perfect |
|
|
|
Past Perfect Continuous |
|
|
|
Simple Future |
|
|
|
Future Continuous |
|
|
|
Future Perfect |
|
|
|
Future Perfect Continuous |
|
|
B.
Change the following sentences into
different aspects of tense.
|
Tense Sentences Sentences |
||
|
Simple
Present |
The
workers plant trees. |
Mr.
Rai works in office. |
|
Present
Continuous |
|
|
|
Present
Perfect |
|
|
|
Present
Perfect Continuous |
|
|
|
Simple
Past |
|
|
|
Past
Continuous |
|
|
|
Past
Perfect |
|
|
|
Past
Perfect Continuous |
|
|
|
Simple
Future |
|
|
|
Future
Continuous |
|
|
|
Future
Perfect |
|
|
|
Future
Perfect Continuous |
|
|
C.
Change the following sentence into
different aspects of tense
|
Tense Sentences Sentences |
||
|
Simple Present |
Min polishes his shoes. |
The dog eats bones. |
|
Present
Continuous |
|
|
|
Present
Perfect |
|
|
|
Present
Perfect Continuous |
|
|
|
Simple
Past |
|
|
|
Past
Continuous |
|
|
|
Past
Perfect |
|
|
|
Past
Perfect Continuous |
|
|
|
Simple
Future |
|
|
|
Future
Continuous |
|
|
|
Future
Perfect |
|
|
|
Future
Perfect Continuous |
|
|
D.
Supply correct tenses to complete these sentences.
These monkeys (like) bananas? They
(not go) to school everyday. Denish
(not collect) stamps. The children (go)
to bed at eight o’clock. The earth
(go) around the sun. Rohit (leave)
the office every day at five.
It often (snow) in winter. I’m
sorry I can’t talk to you now. I
(go) out. We (wash) our hands with water. They
(work) in London at the moment?
They (eat) three meals a day. Suk Dev (drive) to the office every day?
He (type) very fast? The
students (go) to the seashore now.
Lavish (work) at the court. John
(listen) to the radio at the moment?
Babies (sleep) during the day? Your parents (sit) in the garden now?
He (always make) the
same mistake. (They ever live) in a foreign country? Listen! The baby (cry) now. They
(meet) the President.
It (rain) now for an hour. I
(never be) to Biratnagar.
She generally (sing) in Hindi. She
(go) home three days ago. Don’t
cross the road! The bus (come). I
(meet) Mr. and Mrs. Regmi. We (learn) something at this moment. She (start) school in 1984.
Everyone (make) mistakes. He (see) the film before.
Winter (not come) after spring. (You be) to Amargadi fort?
Pemba (speak) English very well. The
film (start) every night at eight o’clock My dog (bark) very loudly. They
(not go) to the cinema very often.
Ram (still sleep). He is sick. (You go) into the office every month? Look! Somebody (knock) at the door. I
(not study) at the moment.
Don’t speak! He (read) a
story book. I (buy) some new clothes last week. My study (go) well gradually. What time (they come) last night? Ram (live) in
a flat for three months. I
(not understand) his question.
Hurry up! It (get) late. I (think) he was wrong.
Wait! A bus (come). (You eat) a lot at the party? Karma
(study) science in the university. I (not catch) the bus this morning. My parents (arrive) tomorrow. I (forget) my keys yesterday.
Menuka (not try) to disturb other. (They tell) you about the meeting?
Eagles (fly) high in the sky. Peter (do) the washing-up last night.
My mother (cook) our meals. They (not drink) anything at the disco.
Rubin (always wear) glasses. I (put) your suitcase
in your bedroom.
Ducks (love) water. We (not know) it was your birthday.
E.
Supply
correct tenses to complete the following sentences.
The sun (rise) in the east. (You go) to the office yesterday? The children (not go) to
school by bus. (You ever be) to Ramechhap?
Yamuna (enjoy) singing. You (go)
to work by car?
Jeevan (not lend) me his bike. I
(not watch) television every night.
He (never agree) to your idea. I
(not watch) television at this moment.
You (never see) your money again. We (see)
our parents every week.
What’s the
matter? I (talk) to the doctor. (You listen) to the radio now? I (not
get up) at 7:00 am every morning. I
(work) here for seven years.
Pratik (talk) to Surya now. This
is the nicest restaurant I (ever see).
I (see) this film twice before. Three
people (leave) the company this week.
They (work) in the restaurant now. I (already write) three letters.
She (listen) to the radio at the moment. These boys (play) since morning. She (never work) in an office so far. I
(never see) that film before.
I (never be) in an aeroplane before. Someone
(knock down) your front gate. (He
ever be) to Ganga Jamuna Waterfalls? It’s the first time I (be) here.
(You met) my parents? You (not eat) Indonesian food. (You ever work) in the theatre? You (
not do) your homework yet.
(You see) that new film about aliens? This
is the fourth time he (damage) my car. We
(never be) abroad so far. You a
shave! (have)
They (never see) a policeman before. She’s got the best voice I (ever hear). (You see) the film on TV last night? She (just go
out).
When (you arrive) in Budhathum? He (wait) here since eight o’clock.
John (be) to Germany before. The
PM (ask) for a meeting.
(You
read) this
novel before? This is the first time I (be) on a plane.
I (not see) him yesterday. I’m sorry; she’s gone to her home. (already)
(You hear) their new record? I
have done my homework. (not yet) I
(not know) about the disco last night. I
already (tell) her about it.
I (read) that book three
times. You (just miss) her.
She already
(act) in films. We (walk) for three hours.
I (go) to the zoo tomorrow. At the age of 30, I (visit) Japan twice.
F.
Supply
correct tenses to complete the following sentences.
I (leave) the office early last night. I (not finish) my work yet.
The company (not give)
you holiday. He (already say)
about his father. I never (go)
anywhere by plane until now. I (not explain) you yet.
I (work) here for six years. Have you got your passport? (already)
I (live) here for three months. He’s told me that he’s got the bag. (just) I (work) in this factory since 2005. What (you do) today? I (play) tennis.
He (be) abroad for five years. How
long (you study) English? Ramit
(live) here since he was a child. Oh,
Dinesh! I (look) for you!
I (live) here since childhood. Parbat (live) here for twenty-five years.
I (know) them for years. I’m
tired. We (walk) all day. We (practise) basketball for three months. How long (you learn) to drive? I (study) maths for 3 years but then I left. I (wait) here for ages.
She (work) for me since she left school. She’s stressed
because she (work) too hard. We (have)
two holidays this year. They (watch) football since three o’clock.’
I (live) here since I was a little girl. Why (you see) them so much recently? He (be) in prison now for three
years. They look exhausted. What
(they do)?
I (not see) him since
he left the office. I
should pass the exam. I (study) for weeks.
I (not see) her for several years and then
I
met her again.
Where (be) Ram (go) when we (talk) with
him?
We (live)
in Budhathum for a long time I
(just speak) to your mother on the phone.
I (work) here since I
was eighteen. She (take)
rest since morning.
When (you) phone her? I
(be) there by the end of this month.
(They not) stay very long. He (pay) his fee when he (save) up money. What (you) say to your father? When I (make) tea, I served it to the guests. I (not pay) anything. He (work) in school for 10 years.
Raj rarely (drink) at
the party. They called me
when I (read).
Nir
fell down when I (push) him. When
I saw the dog, I (run) away. Did you
(meet) her at the party? She
often (go) to temple.
He (just get) his bag. You (already
get) your passport.
G.
Supply
correct tense to complete these sentences.
We (play) tennis tomorrow. He
(lose) his calculator. It is not in
his bag. She (live) in Manang for a few months. He (fly) to Hong Kong next month.
(Your parents) have a holiday this year? While
they (go) home, they saw an accident.
They (borrow) some money from the bank. He denied that he (steal) those apples.
When it rained, he
(listen) to the music. He
talks as if he (know) everything.
I (not eat) there again. He
told us that he (go) to Palpa for a holiday.
I (open) the window for you. I
(live) there since 2010.
John (phone) your office
for you. I (look) at the picture for 30 minutes. While I
(be) writing, he asked me to help. I
(phone) Amrita but she (go) out to lunch.
I’m sure he (not be) late. While
(travel) on the bus I met my wife.
I think she (be) in her
home next week. He (be) to Europe
by 2030.
While they were planting
rice it (rain) hard. We (write) a
poem at this time yesterday. (There
be) a lot of people at the meeting? My
father (come) tomorrow.
What time (the race start?) He barely (walk) fast.
By the time we reached home, it (be) dark. I (just
arrive) from the station. My bag (be) very beautiful. I (not be) to Pokhara so far.
He (not come) back if it rains. She (just come) from shool.
