selfstudys_com_file (5)
selfstudys_com_file (5)
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The tense of a verb indicates the time reference of the action stated in the sentence-present,
past or future. The principal tense forms are-simple, continuous, perfect and perfect
continuous. Thus, there are twelve tense forms in total. The tense of the verb brings about some
changes in the verb form. The functions of these tense forms may be distinct or overlapping, i.e.
in some cases more than one tense form may be used
Form: This tense keeps the dictionary form of the verb in the first and second person
singular and plural and third person plural. In the third person singular, the form is v +
s/es, e.g.
Uses: The present indefinite tense has a large range of uses. On occasions it can
express even past or future time reference. This tense
• expresses a routine or habitual action, e.g. He studies four hours every day.
• expresses universal unchanging truths, e.g. The sun rises in the east.
• is used in adverb clauses of condition when the main clause is in the future
tense, e.g. If it rains, we will stay indoors.
• is used in running commentaries, e.g. The bawler bowls a fast ball.
• is used in vivid, dramatic narratives, e.g. James Bond jumps from the
running train and lands on his feets.
• is used with verbs which express ‘going’ in near future, e.g. He goes/
leaves/ sails/ flies tomorrow morning.
The present indefinite and the present continuous may be studied together. Sometimes
they may replace each other as in immediate future time reference with verbs indicating
going, but usually they have their distinct uses.
The present indefinite usually indicates activities which are permanent or universally
true, or confirmed habits or practices.
e.g. Water boils at 100° Celsius.
The Ganga flows into the Bay of Bengal.
He normally goes to work by car.
The present continuous indicates activities which are taking place at the moment of
stating, or are temporary or last for a shorter duration.
♦ Present Perfect
Uses: This tense links the immediate past time reference to the present. It indicates an
event or act just completed, but which has a bearing on the present, e.g. I have fractured
my arm. It is extremely painful.
This tense also indicates an action begun in the past which is continuing in the present,
e.g.
She has lived in Delhi a long time (she still lives in Delhi).
Thus the action has been completed in the past, but has relevance in the present too.
We may use the present perfect and the simple past tense in the same sentence. When
we wish to indicate a definite time in the past, we use simple past tense, e.g.
The conference in Europe has ended; the prime minister returned this evening.
The present perfect tense should not be used with adverbs showing past time
reference. It is incorrect to say –
The present simple – writes – is used to talk about a general truth or long-lasting
activities.
The present perfect progressive – has been writing – is used to say how long
something has been happening.
The present perfect – has written – is used to say how frequently somebody has done
something.
This tense is used when we wish to state a fact or habits or condition or a state in the
past, e.g. Long time ago, people were honest.
India gave the decimal system to the world.
‘Did’ is used for making negatives and questions, e.g. did not + basic form of the verb.
You did not finish your work.
Did you finish your work?
An error that students very often make is to use the simple past tense in the verb when
it has already been used in ‘did’. It is wrong to say ‘you did not finished your work’. . ”
The present perfect tense is used to show an act or event just finished, the effect of
which continues in the present.
e.g. I have hurt my knee; therefore, I cannot walk properly.
The simple/past indefinite is used to indicate an act or event finished in the past at
sometime which does npt affect the present, e.g. I hurt my knee last week.
Uses: This tense indicates the event that took place earlier in the past where two events
occurring in the past are stated. The later event is indicated by the simple past tense,
e.g.
I had finished my homework when my friend came.
The fire had consumed the huts before the fire brigade arrived.
Past perfect is used in converting direct speech into indirect speech when the
introductory verb is in the past tense.
He said, “I went to Delhi.”
He said that he had gone to Delhi.
-This tense is also used to express an unfulfilled wish, e.g.
I wish I had accepted the proposal.
Both at 2 o’clock and when she arrived function as adverbials of time. They indicate a
point of time. Now, look at these two sentences again.
We had lunch at 2 o’clock.
We had lunch when she arrived.
When an adverbial showing a point of time is used with a clause having simple past
tense, the activity mentioned in the clause begins at or after that point of time.
Notice that the adverbial of time takes the simple past tense. The past continuous tense
is used to indicate that an activity was going on when another activity took place. The
past perfect tense is used for that activity which began and concluded before another
took place.
Here, will is used to talk about a future activity which the speaker decides to do at the
time of speaking. Now, look at these dialogues.
Going to – as in am going to lodge and is going to rain – is used to talk about a future
activity which the speaker has already decided to do or when he feels that it will happen
in the near future because there are already signs which indicate its happening.
• The Prime Minister leaves on a seven-day tour of West Asia next Sunday.
• According to the timetable, the plane arrives at 11.55.
The present simple – as in leaves and arrives -is used to talk about a future activity
which is seen as certain to happen because of programmes or timetables.
We talk about future activities which are about to take place in the near future in four
different ways expressing four different kinds of meanings.
♦ Will
‘Will’ is an auxiliary verb and a modal. Its most common use is to express future time
reference. With first person it expresses willingness and determination, with second and
third persons ‘will’ simply states a future time reference. Some uses of ‘will’ are
Will – as in will be and will remain – is used to talk about predictions, that is, for events
on which the speaker has no control.
♦ Will be doing
The future continuous tense is used to talk about future actions. It is formed by ‘will be’
+ ‘ing’ form of the verb. There are two different uses.
The future continuous tense is used to indicate an action over a period of time. It shows
that we will be engaged in an action at some time in the future.
(a) A: Please come to our house this evening to meet special guests.
B: I wish I could. I will be working late tonight.
A comparison of the use of continuous tense will help us to understand clearly the time
reference.
(i) This time last week we were travelling to Goa. (Past Continuous)
(ii) At this moment we are travelling to Goa. (Present Continuous)
(iii) This time next week we will be travelling to Goa. (Future Continuous)
Look at the two uses of the future continuous tense in the sentences given below:
The second use of the future continuous tense is to indicate an event or action which
will occur in the course of time because it is the part of a plan or a schedule.
(a) The flight from Mumbai will be arriving at 8 p.m.
(b) The winter session of the Parliament will be beginning on December 7.
The Prime Minister will be reaching / will reach / reaches / is reaching London
tomorrow.
We can use the future continuous to ask someone’s plan or programme.
Question 1.
Read the following sentences and decide whether the activity referred to is long lasting
or has a relatively shorter duration. Write permanent or temporary against them by
writing P or T. Indicate Present Indefinite or Present Continuous as the tense form used
against each sentence. The first one has been done for you.
Answer:
(ii) T– Present Continuous
(iii) P — Present Indefinite
(iv) P — Present Indefinite
(v) P — Present Indefinite
(vi) T — Present Continuous
Question 2.
Rewrite the following sentences, filling in the proper forms of verbs.
♦ Present Continuous: This tense is also used to indicate a stubborn irritating habit
when it is used with adverbs like ‘always’, ‘forever’, ‘constantly’ and ‘continually.’ Such
use indicates annoyance of the speaker.
Write similar dialogues using the given phrases and the verb in brackets.
Answer:
(i) A. Has Rita got into debt?
B. Yes, Rita is constantly getting into debt.
Question 3.
Rewrite the following sentences using the proper form of the verb in brackets.
(ii) The car (break down) yesterday but the mechanic (repair) it.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(vi) I (apply) for a visa too but could not get it.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Answer:
(i) I have lost my wallet. I have no money on me now.
(ii) The car broke down yesterday but the mechanic has repaired it.
(iii) The temperature had soared to 45°C but it has come down again.
(iv) We have done our homework. Now we can go out and play.
(v) He has applied for a visa and is still waiting for it.
(vi) I had applied for a visa too but could not get it.
Look at this sentence paying special attention to words set in bold print.
He lived in Jabalpur for several years.
The use of simple past tells us that he lived in Jabalpur in the past and does not live
there at present. Adverbials of duration make a difference in meaning when used with
present perfect tense and simple past.
Question 4.
Now write appropriate sentences for the following players.
Answer:
(i) Kapil Dev has played cricket for India.
(ii) Dravid has also played cricket for India.
(iii) Paes has played tennis for several years.
(iv) Baljeet Singh Dhillon has played hockey for several years.
(v) Prakash Padukone has played badminton for India.
(vi) Ganguly has played cricket for India.
(vii) Dhanraj Pillay has played hockey for India.
(viii) Dhyan Chand played hockey for India.
(ix) Srikant has played cricket for India.
(x) P. Gopichand has played badminton for India.
(xi) Ramesh Krishnan has played tennis for India.
(xii) Vijay Merchant played cricket for India.
Question 5.
Now write sentences about Sachin Tendulkar using the correct tenses.
Sachin Tendulkar (a) ……………. cricket for India for several years. He (b) …………… many
tests matches and one,-dayers. He (c) …………… thousands of runs in test cricket and in
one-dayers. He (d) ……………….. a hundred centuries in test cricket and one-dayers.
Answer:
(a) has been playing
(b) has played
(c) has scored
(d) has scored
Question 6.
Now write sentences using the given words or phrases. The first one has been done for
you.
(i) Shashi – write letters – since breakfast
Shashi has been writing letters since breakfast.
(ii) Abha – write letters – six
………………………………………………………………………………..
Answer:
(ii) Abha has written six letters.
(iii) Abhinav has been reading a novel for two hours.
(iv) Rajshekhar has read two hundred pages.
(v) These boys have been playing football for an hour and a half.
(vi) Salman has taken many photographs of the place.
Question 7.
Now read the sentences above (Q6.) and write similar sentences as dialogues using the
words and phrases given. Use phrases to answer how long and how much, according to
the situation and your choice. A and B are the two speakers.
Answer:
A. One of my classmates collects stamps.
B. How long has he been collecting stamps?
A. He has been collecting stamps for over five years now.
B. Has he collected about five thousand stamps?
A. Yes, he has collected more than five thousand stamps,
(ii) These engineers – build – bridges
A: ……………………………………………………………………..
B: ……………………………………………………………………..
A: ……………………………………………………………………..
B: ……………………………………………………………………..
A: ………………………………………………………………………
Answer:
A. These engineers build bridges.
B. How long have they been building bridges?
A. They have been building bridges for at least ten years.
B. How many bridges have they built?
A. They have built about twenty bridges.
Answer:
A. Dr. Trehan does coronary artery bypass grafting.
B. How many coronary artery bypass graftings has Dr. Trehan done?
A. He has done about a hundred coronary artery bypass graftings.
B. How long has Dr. Trehan been doing coronary artery bypass grafting?
A. He has been performing coronary artery grafting for about twenty years.
Answer:
A. The servant cleans the rooms.
B. For how long has he been cleaning the rooms?
A. He has been cleaning the rooms for two hours.
B. For how many years has he been cleaning the rooms?
A. He has been cleaning the rooms for two years.
Question 8.
Now write two similar sentences one mentioning the duration of the activity and the
other without it – using the given words and the verbs in brackets.
(i) These people – (work) – in a factory
(ii) His sister – (write) – novels
(iii) Ganguly – (play cricket) – country
(iv) Mr Desai – (teach) – English
Answer:
(i) These people work in a factory.
These people have been working in a factory for six months.
Remember: We cannot mention the duration of the activity if we use the present
progressive tense. For this, we have to use the present perfect progressive tense.
Question 9.
Now write two similar sentences – one mentioning the duration of the activity and the
other without it – using the given words and the verbs in brackets.
(i) My father – (write) – letters
(ii) The boys – (play) – football
(iii) They – (repair) – the roads
(iv) We – (wait) – doctor
Remember: Continuous tenses are used when the duration of the activity is relatively
short and the activity is supposed to be temporary.
Answer:
(i) My father is writing letters.
My father has been writing letters for two hours.
(ii) The boys are playing football.
The boys have been playing football for an hour.
Question 10.
Now write similar sentences using the given words and the verbs in brackets.
(i) Match (begin) president (arrive)
………………………………………………………………………
Answer:
(i) The match began when the president arrived.
(ii) The driver stopped the train when he saw the red signal.
(iii) The principal announced results when the teachers completed the evaluation.
(iv) Passengers got off when the train stopped.
Question 11.
Now write similar sentences using the given words and the verbs in brackets.
(i) People (celebrate) Republic Day – earthquake (hit)
………………………………………………………………………
(ii) Driver (negotiate) – sharp turn bus – (fall) into khud
………………………………………………………………………
Answer:
(i) The earthquake hit when the people were celebrating Republic Day.
(ii) The bus fell into a khud when the driver was negotiating a sharp turn.
(iii) It was not raining when lightning struck.
(iv) Men were cleaning the rooms when I reached there.
Now, look at these two sentences.
We had had lunch at 2 o’clock.
We had had lunch when she arrived.
Remember: When an adverbial showing a point of time is used with a clause having
past perfect tense, the activity mentioned in the clause ends before that time.
Question 12.
Now write similar sentences using the given words and the verbs in brackets.
(i) We (discuss) problem he (arrive)
………………………………………………………………………
Answer:
(i) We had discussed the problem when he arrived.
(ii) Farmers had prepared their fields when monsoon arrived.
(iii) Men had cleaned the rooms when I reached there.
(iv) The meeting had come to an end when the rain started.
Question 13.
First look at these dialogues or sentences carefully and decide what kind of meaning is
being expressed. Then rewrite them using the appropriate form of the verb.
(v) The state (organise) a campaign next month for the eradication of leprosy.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
(vi) A team of experts (visit) the area in the near future to study the problem.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
(viii) India (play) against France in the Davis Cup next month.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
(ix) Our school team (play) a friendly hockey match this Sunday
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
(xii) The team (leave) for South Africa day after tomorrow.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Answer:
(i) The next train for Amritsar leaves at 8.35.
(ii) I am going to take her to the doctor this evening.
(iii) I will help you carry it.
(iv) I will go and switch it off.
(v) The state is going to organise a campaign for the eradication of leprosy.
(vi) A team of experts is going to visit the area in the near future to study the problem.
(vii) Well, I will do the shopping.
(viii) India plays/is going to play/will play France in the Davis Cup next month.
(ix) Our school team plays/is going to play/will play a friendly hockey match this
Sunday.
(x) I am going to meet him at the airport.
(xi) The Governor inaugurates/is going to inaugurate/will inaugurate the conference on
Monday.
(xii) The team leaves/will leave/is leaving for South Africa day after tomorrow.
(xiii) I will go and open the window.
(xiv) Don’t worry, he will do it.
Question 14.
Now write two similar questions using the given phrases. Be careful about the
requirement given within in brackets. One has been done for you.
Meet him in the afternoon.
(query) Will you be meeting him in the afternoon?
(question) Will you meet him in the afternoon?
Answer:
(i) Will you be returning the books by Monday?
Will you return the books by Monday?
Correct:
Question 15.
In the passage given below, one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing
word along with the word that comes before and the word that comes after against the
correct blank number. Underline the word that forms your answer.
I. Some insects pretend they non-living things to escape danger. The stick insect can
become a twig that grown from a branch. Its body hangs like a twig growing towards
the ground. Frogs and birds easily fooled. Some insects colour and sound to disguise
themselves.
……………………….. ………………………..
(a) ………………………..
……………………….. ………………………..
(b) ………………………..
……………………….. ………………………..
(c) ………………………..
……………………….. ………………………..
(d) ………………………..
Answer:
(a)
which mean I
(b)
palms are joined
(c)
head is slightly
(d)
This is not
Question 16.
Rewrite using the correct form of the verbs in brackets.
I (a) ………….. (expect) him here yesterday. He (b) ……………. (not come) till today. None (c)
…………… (know) what (d) …………… (happen) to him. I (e) ……………. (worry) about him. I hope
he (f) …………… (be) safe.
Answer:
(a) expected/was expecting
(b) has not come
(c) knows
(d) has happened
(e) am worried
(f) is
Question 17.
Rewrite using the correct form of the verbs in brackets.
There (a) …………….. (be) a great rush at the counter yesterday. I (b) ……………… (want) to
get a ticket for the movie. lit (c) ………….. (be) the first day of the release. The manager
suddenly (d) ……………. (appear) on the scene and (e) ……………….. (announce) that the
show (f) ……………… (cancel) for reasons beyond control.
Answer:
(a) was
(b) wanted
(c) was
(d) appeared
(e) announced
(f) had been cancelled
Question 18.
Read the following paragraph and fill in the blanks with the appropriate form of verbs
given in brackets.
Yesterday a blue line bus (a) ……………(run) over a schoolboy who (b) …………… (cross) the
road. The boy (c) …………… (injure) seriously and (d) …………… (rush) to the hospital. The
passengers (e) …………… (catch) hold of the driver and (f) ……………(hand) him over to the
police.
Answer:
(a) ran
(b) was crossing
(c) was injured
(d) was rushed
(e) caught
(f) handed
Question 19.
Rewrite using the correct form of the verbs in brackets.
The shot wounded the elephant. It (a) …………… (rush) back into the forest. I (b) ……………
(run) after it but (c) …………… (can) not catch it. I (d) ……………(lose) it in the dark and (e)
…………… (return) empty-handed. I (f) (disappoint).
Answer:
(A rushed
(B) ran
(c) could
(d) lost
(e) returned
(f) was disappointed
Question 20.
Read the following paragraph and fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs
given in brackets.
Once there was a king. He (a) …………… (know) for his benevolence. Every day he (b)
…………… (feed) the hungry and (c) …………… (clothe) the poor before he (d) …………… (take)
his food. He (e) …………… (do) so for many years. He (f) …………… (love) by his subjects.
Answer:
(a) was known
(b) fed
(c) clothed
(d) took
(e) did/had been doing
(f) was loved
Question 21.
Fill in the correct form of the verbs given in brackets.
(i) While Rome (a) …………….. (burn), Nero was (b) …………….. (fiddle).
(ii) Since India (c) …………….. (become) independent, many other countries (d) …………..
(get) their independence too.
(iii) I (e) ………… (have) my lunch when the postman (f) …………….. (knock).
Answer:
(i) (a) was burning
(b) was fiddling
Question 22.
Read the following letter and fill in the blanks with the correct form of verbs.
Dear Heena
I have just heard that my mother isn’t very well and that she (a) …………….. (like) to see
me. The trouble is I can’t take my dog, Tim, with me. (b) …………….. you think you (c)
…………….. (be) able to look after him for a week? If you can have him, I can bring him
along anytime that (d) …………… (suit) you. But if it (e) ……………. (be) not convenient, do not
hesitate to say so.
Love, Sarika.
Answer:
(a) would like
(b) Do
(c) will be
(d) suits
(e) is
Question 23.
Fill in the blanks using the correct form of the words given in brackets. [NCT 2011]
I (a) …………….. (halt) on the road. As soon as I saw the elephant, I (b) …………….. (know)
with perfect certainty that I ought not (c) …………….. (shoot) him. But at that moment I (d)
…………….. (glance) round at the crowd that (e) …………….. (follow) me and was eager for
fun and meat. The crowd (f) …………….. (block) the road for a long distance on either side.
Now I (g) …………….. (be) in a tricky situation which (h) …………….. (try) limits of my
patience.
Answer:
(a) halted
(b) knew
(c) to shoot
(d) glanced
(e) had followed
(f) had blocked
(g) was
(h) tried
Question 24.
Fill in the blanks using the correct form of the words given in brackets. [NCT 2010]
Asaf Khan who (a) …………….. (lead) the expedition against the city, (b) …………….. (expect)
that the little country which (c) …………….. (rule) by a woman, would (d) ……………. (take)
very easily without (e) …………….. (strike) even a blow. What was his surprise when he (f)
…………….. (find) that the city (g) …………….. (prepare) to offer a strong resistance, (h)
…………….. (bring) with him only a small force to fight them.
Answer:
(a) led
(b) expected
(c) was ruled
(d) be taken
(e) striking
(f) found
(g) was prepared
(h) had brought
Question 25.
Fill in the blanks using the correct form of the words given in brackets.
The wedding procession (a) …………….. (already start) when we (b) …………….. (reach)
Mohan’s house. While we (c) …………….. (be) on way to the place, we (d) …………….. (decide)
not to dance at all. But the scene (e) …………….. (prove) so attractive, that we (f) ……………..
(draw) into it.
Answer:
(a) had already started
(b) reached
(c) were
(d) had decided
(e) proved
(f) were drawn
Question 26.
Fill in the blanks with the suitable form of the verbs given in brackets.
I (a) …………….. (park) my car at a place where there was a ‘No Parking’ sign and (b)
…………….. (run) to buy some flowers. When I (c) …………….. (return) a few minutes later I (d)
…………….. (find) that the car was not there anymore.
Answer:
(a) parked
(b) ran
(c) returned
(d) found
Question 27.
Fill in the blanks in the following conversation by using appropriate forms of the verbs
given in brackets.
Iqbal said, “That was the last time I saw him alive. The next morning he (a) ……………..
(find) dead on his desk with a bullet under his left ear.” A tray of tea (b) …………….. (bring)
in and the old lady insisted that I had some. An old photograph of the dead man was
produced.
“Look, Look … how handsome he looks,” she said but her hands (c) …………….. (shake) as
she
held it.
Suddenly, the door (d) …………….. (fling) open to admit a young, distraught woman.
Answer:
(a) was found
(b) was brought
(c) were shaking/shook
(d) was flung
Question 28.
The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Underline the
incorrect word and write the correction in the space provided.
Incorrect Correct
………………………..
(a) ………………………..
………………………..
(b) ………………………..
………………………..
(c) ………………………..
………………………..
(d) ………………………..
………………………..
(e) ………………………..
………………………..
(f) ………………………..
Answer:
Incorrect Correct
(a)
is Was
have had
(b)
worked working
(c)
would was
(d)
is would
(e)
want wanted
(f)
Question 29.
Complete the following sentences by filling in the correct form of the verb.
In the last hundred years, travelling (a) …………….. (become) much easier and very
comfortable. In the 19th century, it (b) …………….. (take) two or three months to cross
North America by a covered wagon. The trip (c) …………….. (be) very rough and often
dangerous. Things (d) …………….. (change) a great deal in the last hundred and fifty years.
Now you can fly from New York to Los Angeles in a matter of hours.
Answer:
(a) has become
(b) used to take
(c) was
(d) have changed
Question 30.
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs given in brackets.
I could not recognise Seema. She (a) …………….. (put on) a lot of weight. I advised her to
stop (b) …………….. (eat) and start (c) …………….. (skip) and (d) …………….. (walk).
Answer:
(a) had put on
(b) eating
(c) skipping
(d) walking
Question 31.
Fill in the blanks with the correct forms of the verbs given in brackets.
Have you ever (a) …………….. (hear) of the paperless office? You (b) …………….. certainly
(say) “no”. Well, very soon the old favourite of pen-pushers (c) …………….. (make) an
unceremonious exit. You (d) …………….. (see) it happening in the banks. Where are those
bulky ledgers? A smart computer (e) …………….. (replace) them quietly.
Answer:
(a) heard
(b) will certainly say
(c) will make
(d) have seen
(e) has replaced