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Tenses_Notes

The document outlines the twelve tenses in English grammar, categorized into three main types: present, past, and future, each with four subtypes. It provides structures, examples, and usage for each tense, illustrating how they indicate the timing of actions or events. This comprehensive guide serves as a reference for understanding and using English tenses correctly.

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palak210818
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3 views

Tenses_Notes

The document outlines the twelve tenses in English grammar, categorized into three main types: present, past, and future, each with four subtypes. It provides structures, examples, and usage for each tense, illustrating how they indicate the timing of actions or events. This comprehensive guide serves as a reference for understanding and using English tenses correctly.

Uploaded by

palak210818
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Tenses in English Grammar

Tenses indicate the time of an action or event. They help us understand when an action happened
whether in the past present or future. There are three main types of tenses and each has four
subtypes making a total of twelve tenses in English grammar.

One Present Tense


The present tense is used for actions happening now or for general truths.

a Simple Present Tense


Structure Subject Verb base form s or es Object
Example
She writes a letter
They play football
Usage
General facts and universal truths
Habits or routines
Fixed schedules

b Present Continuous Tense


Structure Subject is am are Verb ing Object
Example
She is writing a letter
They are playing football
Usage
Actions happening now
Temporary situations
Future arrangements

c Present Perfect Tense


Structure Subject has have Verb past participle Object
Example
She has written a letter
They have played football
Usage
Actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past
Actions that started in the past and continue
Experiences

d Present Perfect Continuous Tense


Structure Subject has have been Verb ing Object
Example
She has been writing a letter for two hours
They have been playing football since morning
Usage
Actions that started in the past and are still continuing
Actions that have just stopped

Two Past Tense


The past tense is used for actions that happened before the present time.

a Simple Past Tense


Structure Subject Verb past form Object
Example
She wrote a letter
They played football
Usage
Actions completed in the past
Past habits

b Past Continuous Tense


Structure Subject was were Verb ing Object
Example
She was writing a letter
They were playing football
Usage
Actions happening at a specific time in the past
Two actions happening simultaneously
Interrupted actions

c Past Perfect Tense


Structure Subject had Verb past participle Object
Example
She had written a letter before I arrived
They had played football before it started raining
Usage
Actions completed before another past action
Reported speech

d Past Perfect Continuous Tense


Structure Subject had been Verb ing Object
Example
She had been writing a letter for two hours before I arrived
They had been playing football since morning
Usage
Actions continuing before a past event

Three Future Tense


The future tense is used for actions that will happen later.

a Simple Future Tense


Structure Subject will shall Verb base form Object
Example
She will write a letter
They will play football
Usage
Future plans or intentions
Predictions

b Future Continuous Tense


Structure Subject will be Verb ing Object
Example
She will be writing a letter
They will be playing football
Usage
Actions that will be happening at a specific time in the future
Predictions about ongoing actions

c Future Perfect Tense


Structure Subject will have Verb past participle Object
Example
She will have written a letter by tomorrow
They will have played football before evening
Usage
Actions that will be completed before a specific time in the future

d Future Perfect Continuous Tense


Structure Subject will have been Verb ing Object
Example
She will have been writing a letter for two hours by five pm
They will have been playing football for three hours
Usage
Actions that will continue for a period before a certain point in the future

This covers all twelve tenses with explanations and examples

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