English Grammar By Regularjobalert.com
TENSE
We are all familiar with the concept of time. We know the flow of time is continuous and unending. For our convenience, we have divided it broadly into three periods: The Past, The Present, The Future.
The past is the period of time that has gone by, The Present is the period of time that is with us now and the future is yet to come. In other word, the period of time before “now” is past, the present is the period of time that is with us “Now” and the period of time after Now is the future.
English verb have only two tenses- the present tense and the past tense . the main verb do, go, take, etc. are used to independently in the form of DO/DOES and did, go/goes and went , takes /takes and took. Etc. to denote actions events or states of the present time and past time.
The past simple Tense
The past simple tense:
Form
Affirmative:
Table-1
|
I/we/ you/ / He/she/They/ People, etc |
Went |
to work in time. |
Negative:
Table-2
|
I/we/ you/ / He/she/They/ People, etc |
did not |
go |
to work in time. |
Interrogative:
Table-3
|
did did not |
I/we/ you/ / He/she/They/ People, etc |
go |
to work in time? |
Use/Example
1.
a) India became free in 1947.
b) The British ruled India for many years.
|
We use the past simple tense to talk about a action that began and ended in the past. The action might have happened in a moment or over a period of time.
We have already learnt that the present perfect tense tells us about a past action that has present relevance. But the past simple may not have any present relevance. |
Use/Example
2.
a) I played football when I was at school.
b) We bathed twice during the hot summer days.
c) Everyday he walked two kilometres in the morning.
|
Note that we use past simple tense when we talk about a action that took place in the past again and again as a matter of habit. We can also use used to for both past action and states in place of the past simple. But would can be used for past action, not for past states. |
The past progressive:
1.
a) Mr das was teaching us geography.
b) I was taking my breakfast at 8 am yesterday.
We use past progressive form of verb (was/were+v-ing) to talk about an action that was in progress in the past. In the second sentence, the action began some time before which was in progress and then continued some time more after 8 am to be complete.
2.
a) My sister was watching TV while I was reading a book.
b) When I was reading the book, somebody knocked at the door.
c) When I open the door I saw our teacher standing at the door.
d) I invited him into our house.
When two action were in the past, the use of the past simple or the past progressive will depend on the meaning you want to express.
The past perfect:
The past perfect form of the verb is had+verb in the third form(had|+v-ed/en)
Use/Example
1.
a) When we reached the station, the train had left. So , we took a bus
b) The thief had gone when the police arrived.
|
When two action takes place in the past, the earlier action is expressed by the past perfect tense of the verb. The other action is expressed by the past simple tense. When she saw the dark shadow coming toeard her, she screamed.
If both action happen at a same time , the past simple form of both the verb are used. Here both the action happen at the same time in the past we use simple past tense in both the parts. |
Past perfect progressive:
The past perfect progressive has the structure had+ been+ v-ing
a) They had been driving for two hours when the car broke down.
|
When a past action was in progress and another event took place, we use the past perfect progressive form of verb for the action that was in progress and past simple for other event. |
Modal for future time:
Modal like shall, should, will, would, may, might, can, could, need, and must express the future in some situations. Particularly shall and will speak of the future in most cases.
|
I/We/ You He/she/it/they Hari |
Shall Will Will Will |
go go go go |
If we use shall for you, he, she, etc the meaning will be compulsion or threat. For example
You shall do as I say.
Shall and will are generally used for future action which is unplanned and the decision for it is taken at the moment of speaking.
For example,
a) Wait a minute I will come with you.
b) The phone is ringing. i will answer it
· Be+going+to
we use this expression for future actions when we talk about the future fulfilment of a present cause or indication. That is to say , that something will happen because the cause is seen or felt at the moment of speaking.
a) There are dark clouds in the sky. it is going to rain.
Now look this sentence
b) We are going to leave for puri tomorrow morning.
The sentence means a future plan on the basis of the present intention or decision. We went to go there and we have the power to change the programmer.
· The present progressive for future actions:
we may sometimes use is/am/are+ v-ing for a future action when we talk about a plan, arrangement, or programme.
· the present simple tense for future action:
we may sometimes use the present simple tense for a future action when we talk about a unchangeable plan. That is to say that the future is seen as a fact.
Example: Tomorrow is Sunday
The train leaves at 9 pm
Our examination started next week.
· Be+to+infinitive.
i. An arrangement , what is arrangement to happen:
Example: there is to be a investigation.
ii. Command or what must / should be done:
Example:what is to be done about this problem?
You are to be back by 5 a.m
iii. A contingent (Dependent)future:
Example: if he is to succeed, he must work harder.