TENSES & THE USE OF TENSES

 TENSES & THE USE OF TENSES

TENSE: Tense is a term used in grammar to indicate the time of the action or event. In any 

language, tense is divided into three classes namely:

PRESENT TENSE: A verb that refers to the present time is said to be in the present tense. It has four forms:

Present indefinite tense or simple present tense.

It is used:

(i) To express what is actually taking place at the present movement; as,

e.g. i. She sings a song.

ii. I learn my lesson.

(ii) To express a habit or a custom; as

e.g. We get up early in the morning.

(iii) To describe some act as a Historic Presents;

e.g. Pakistan comes in to existence on the 14th of August 1947.

(iv) To express a universal truth; as,

e.g: God is one. The Sun rises in the East.

(v) To introduce a quotation; as,

e.g: Allah says, “Indeed we have made the Quran easy to understand.”

(vi) To express Scientific statements; as,

e.g: The Earth revolves around the sun.

PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE OR PROGRESSIVE TENSE

It is used to denote action that is going on at the time of speaking; as,

e.g. It is raining. We are watching the movie.

FOR A TEMPORARY ACTION:

I am learning English. They are acting in the film.

FOR A FUTURE PLANNED ACTION:

e.g. 1. We are visiting Karachi this week.

2. Ahmed is getting married this August.

PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

1. It is used to denote as action that has just been completed; as,

e.g. 1. My brother has just gone out.

2. I have already spent the money on books.

2. To connect a completed event in some or other with the present time; as,

e.g. We have lived here for ten years.

(It shows that we are still living here.)

3. To express past action whose time is not specific:

e.g. I have never seen her before.

I have always waited for you.

4. For past events whose result is still felt:

e.g. The gardener has watered the plants.

(His clothes are wet now)

We have walked a long distance.

(We are now very tired)

COMMON ERRORS IN THE USE OF TENSES

 1. THE USE OF PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE:

Present Continuous Tense should not be used in place of Present Perfect Continuous Tense.

 Examples:

 I am working in the college for the last five years. (Incorrect)

 I have been working in the college for the last five years. (Correct)

 2. THE USE OF PRESENT PERFECT TENSE:

Present Perfect Tense should not be used to the past actions:

 Examples:

 I have visited London last year. (Incorrect)

 I visited Agra last year. (Correct)

 3. THE USE OF SIMPLE FUTURE TENSE:

Simple Future Tense should not be used in imperative sentences. In such cases only Simple

Present Tense must be used.

 Examples:

 You must see that the amount shall be paid soon. (Incorrect)

 You must see that the amount is paid soon. (Correct)

 4. THE USE OF SIMPLE FUTURE TENSE:

When there is a main clause with a Simple Future Tense, the subordinate clause must be in the

Simple Present Tense only.

 Examples:

 I shall tell you about it, when I will know truth. (Incorrect)

 I shall tell you about it, when I know the truth. (Correct)

5. THE USE OF PAST PERFECT TENSE:

Past Perfect Tense should not be used for Past Tense.

 Examples:

 I had been going to Canada recently. (Incorrect)

 I went to Canada recently. (Correct)

 6. THE USE OF SIMPLE PAST TENSE:

Simple Past Tense should not be used for Past Perfect Tense or the Past Perfect Continuous

Tense for the Past Continuous Tense.

 Examples:

 Ambreen said that she was working in the hospital for five years. (Incorrect)

 Ambreen said that she had been working in the hospital for five years. (Correct)

 THE USE OF PAST PERFECT TENSE:

It is used to denote an action completed at some point in the past time; before another action was

begun we use the Past Perfect Tense for the earlier action; and the Past Indefinite Tense, for the

subsequent; one as:

 Examples:

 The train had stopped, when we came out.

 When I went to the airport, the plane had taken off.

 THE USE OF PAST PERFECT TENSE:

It is used to denote an action completed at some point in the past time; before another action was

begun we use the Past Perfect Tense for the earlier action; and the Past Indefinite Tense, for the

subsequent; one as:

 Examples:

 The train had stopped, when we came out.

 When I went to the airport, the plane had taken off.