TENSES

Tense is a form of verb which denotes time of

action. We have three times namely
1) Present time
2) Past time and
3) Future time
An action may take place in any of the three times.
Hence we have three tenses to denote the actions of
three times.
Indefinite tense / Simple tense
Continuous tense
Perfect tense and
Perfect continuous tense
The division is necessary to express the extent of
completion of an action. Hence we have twelve tenses
intotal and each tense is unique. Each tense has its own
structure and usage.
Present Indefinite tense or Simple Present Tense :Present indefinite tense is used to denote the
actions which take place in present time. But the exact
time and extent of completion is not definite.
Structure : S + V1 + O
S V1 O
Sky is blue
You read a book
They ride a horse
He / She / It / any other Singular noun + V + s/es/
ies + O.
s is added in general. es is added to the verbs
ending with o/ch/sh/. ies will be used to the verbs
ending with consonant +y. If verbs are ending with
vowel + y we have to add only s.
Ex : a) He watches a movie.
b) She writes a story.
c) It carries heavy loads.
Other uses of Simple Present Tense :
A. It is used to denote the state position, profession,
quality etc., of the subject. (By using be forms am, is, are).
Ex :
1) Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of India.
2) The weather is fine.
3) I am very unhappy.
4) They are lucky.
B. It is used to denote the possession of the subject in
present time.
Ex : She has a big house
I have fluency in English.
C. It is used to denote universal truths and general
facts.
Ex : 1) Sugar is sweet.
2) Milk is white
3) The sun rises in the east.
4) The earth revolves around the sun

5) The sun is a star.

D. It is used to denote proverbs and quotations.
Ex : 1) Honesty is the best policy
2) Slow and steady wins the race
3) Practice makes man perfect
4) Defeat the defeat before the defeat
defeats you.
5) Keats says, A thing of beaufy is a joy
forever
E. It is used to denote habitual actions.
Ex : 1) Sravanthi sleeps ten hours a day.
2) Sowmya often eats chocolates.
3) Gayatri always tells lies.
F. It is used with the exclamatory sentences which
start with here and there
Ex : 1) Here comes the bus!
2) There goes the man!
G. It is used to denote planned future activities.
Ex : 1) The prime minister visits A.P. next
month.
2) My uncle arrives next week.
3) I go to Hyderabad tonight.
H. In conditional clauses, the subordinate clause must
be in simple present tense, if the main clause has
will / shall / can / may + V.
Ex : 1) If you prepare well, you can write the
exam.
2) If she invites him, he will come to the
party.
3) If he is honest, he can get the job.
4) Unless you work hard, you cant pass.
5) We shall start as soon as she is ready
Note : We generally find the words such as every day,
every week, every month, every year, daily, frequently,
generally, natuarally, casually, regularly, rarely, barely,
scarcely, often, seldom, never etc., in Simple Present
tense.
Formation Negatives in Simple present tense :
If Be forms are there in simple present tense,
we have to add not after the Be forms to form
negatives. If any other verb is there, we have to use
do/does to form negatives.
Affirmatives (positives) Negatives
Structure: 1) S+Be form +
complement.
2) S+V1+O/Complement.
Structure: 1) S+Be form + not
+ complement. 2) S + do / does
+ not + v + O / complement
1. She is obedient 1. She is not obedient.
2. They are happy 2. They are not happy
3. She plays chess 3. She doesn't play chess
4. They read the Hindu 4. They don't read the Hindu
5. She has a dog 5. She doesn't have a dog
6. They have a big building 6. The don't have a big building

7. She does her duty. 7. She doesn't do her duty

8. They do their job 8. They don't do their job

Formation of Interrogatives.
If Be forms are there, we can form interrogatives
just placing the Be forms in the beginning. If any other
verbs are there, we have to use do/does in the
beginning.
Affirmatives Interrogatives
S+Be form + complement
.1
S+V1+O/complement.2
Be form +S+complement1
Do/Does+S+V1+O/
Complement..2
1. She is obedient 1. Is she obedient?
2. They are happy 2. Are they happy?
3. She plays chess 3. Does she play chess?
4. They read the Hindu 4. Do they read the Hindu?
5. She has a dog 5. Does she have a dog?
6. They have a big building 6. Do they have a big building
7. She does her duty. 7. Does she do her duty?
8. They do their job 8. Do they do their job?

Interrogatives with wh words :

Wh words + Be form + complement ............3
Wh word+do/does+S+V1+O/Complements.......4
Ex : 1) Who are you?
2) How old are you?
3) What is your father?

4) Why do you go there often?

5) Why does she help him?
6) When does she come here?
7) Who am I?
Formation of negative Interrogatives :
We can form negative interrogatives by picking
out the helping verb from Simple Present negative
sentence and placing it in the beginning.
Negatives Negative Interrogatives
S+Be form+not+complement.

S+do/does+not+V1+O/
complement
Be form +S+not+complement
Do/Does+S+not+V1+O/
Complement
1. She is not wise. 1. Is she not wise?
2. They are not rich 2. Are they not rich?
3. She doesn't like him. 3. Does she not like him?
4. The don't agree with her. 4. Do they not agree with her?
5. He doesn't attend the test 5. Does he not attend the test?

Negative Interrogatives with wh words :

Wh word + Be form + not + complement.
Wh word + do/does+not+V+object/complement
Ex : 1) Why is she not satisfied?
2) Why are they not happy?
3) Why does she not like him?
4) Why do they not agree with her?
5) Why does he not attend the test?