Tenses
Tenses
CONTENTS
• Introduction
• Classification based on Time Frame
• Classification based on Aspect
• Block diagram of Tenses
• List of Rules
• Present Tense
• Past Tense
• Future Tense
• List of Examples
INTRODUCTION
CONTENTS
Based on Aspect
Verb tenses may also be
categorized according to aspect.
Aspect refers to the nature of
the action described by the verb.
There are four aspects:
• Indefinite or Simple
• Continuous or Progressive
• Perfect or Complete
• Perfect Continuous
Indefinite Tense
The three indefinite tenses, or
simple tenses, describe an action but do
not state whether the action is finished.
Continuous Tense
The three continuous tenses,
incomplete tenses, or progressive
tenses, describe an unfinished action.
Perfect Tense
The three complete tenses,
or
perfect tenses, describe a finished
action.
Perfect Continuous Tense
To combine the complete tenses and
the incomplete tenses, to describe an action
There are twelve possible
verb tenses.
Verb Tenses
CONTENTS
Here is a list of rules of
these tenses:
Perfect
Simple Progressive Perfect
Progressive
Forms
Forms
Forms Forms
am/is/are + have/ha have/has
Ist form +
Present s / es
Ist form + s+ been + Ist
ing IIIrd form +
form ing
was/were + had + had been +
Past IInd form Ist form + Ist form +
ing IIIrd ing
form
will have
will have
will/shall will be + Ist
Future + Ist form form + ing
+ IIIrd
been + Ist
form form +
CONTENTS
ing
Present Tense
Present
Present Perfect
Cont.Tense
Present Indefinite Tense
Past Perfect
Cont.Tense
Past Indefinite Tense
The simple past is used to
describe an action, an event, or
condition that occurred in the past.
For Example—
I played.
He / She played.
Past Continuous Tense
The past continuous tense is
used to described actions ongoing in the
past.
For Example—
I was playing.
He / She was
playing. You were
playing.
Past Perfect Tense
Future Perfect
Cont.Tense
Future Indefinite Tense
The simple future is used to
refer to actions that will take place
after the act of speaking or writing.
For Example—
I shall play.
He / She will play.
Future Continuous Tense
CONTENTS
Here is a list of examples of these
tenses and their definitions:
Perfect
Simple Progressive Perfect
Progressive
Forms
Forms
Forms Forms