Tense

Tense is the form of the verb which shows when an action has happened.
.
Ex: I go to school everyday. They speak English in the class. You look tired today.
There are 28 tenses in the English Language, which are divided into two parts.
1- Active Tenses 2

- Passive Tenses

Active Tense
Active tense is the tense, in which the doer of the action is the subject of the sentence.
)( .
Ex: I saw him. She is typing a letter. We all should help her.
Passive Tense
Passive tense is the tense, in which the receiver of the action is the subject of the
sentence.
)( .
Ex: He was seen A letter is being typed. She should be helped.
Simple Present Tense

Structure:
Affirmative form: - S + V + C.
Question form: - Do/Does +S+ V + C?
Negative form: - S + do/does + not + V + C.
Neg, Ques form: - Do/Does + not + S + V + C?
Ex: I go to school everyday.
Do I go to school everyday?
I do not go to school everyday.
Don't I go to school everyday?

He goes to school everyday.

Does he go to school everyday?
He doesn't go to school everyday.
Doesn't he go to school everyday?

Usages:
1- Simple present tense shows a habitual action or activity.
(. ) .
Ex: I watch TV every night. You do that everyday. We eat health food everyday.

Note: In the third singular person, all the verbs except auxiliary verbs, take (s) or (es) in
S.P.T.
( He/She/It) s es
.
Ex: She washes clothes every week. He comes on time everyday. It always eats a lot.
Memo: When simple present tense shows a habitual action or activity, it is usually
followed by adverbs of frequency. (Always, sometimes, usually, seldom, rarely, hardly
ever, everyday, every night, every week and etc)
.
Ex: I always teach the class. She sometimes plays football. We meet him everyday.
2- Simple present tense shows general facts (A general fact is a fact that is clear for all.)
) .
.
Ex: The earth moves around the sun. Ahmad is a boy. Allah ( )Is One.
3- Simple present tense shows a planned future action.
.
Ex: I go to school tomorrow. He comes to Kunduz next week.
4- Simple present tense is used in newspaper headlines to show past, present or future
action.
.
A- When simple present tense is used with simple form of the verb, it shows a past
action.
.
Ex: UN helps Afghanistan
B- When simple present tense is used with (ing) form of the verb, it shows a present
action.
( ing) .
Ex: UN helping Afghanistan
C- When simple present tense is used with (to + Verb) form of the verb, it shows a future
activity.
( to + verb) .
Ex: UN to help Afghanistan
Present Continuous Tense
( )
Structure
Affirmative Form: - S + is/am/are + Ving + Complement.
Question Form: - Is/Am/Are + S + Ving + Complement?
Negative Form: - S + is/am/are + Ving + Complement.

Neg, Ques Form: - Is/Am/Are + S + Ving + Complement?

Ex: I am studying English now.
She is writing a letter now.
Am I studying English now?
Is she writing a letter now?
I am not studying English now.
She is not writing a letter now.
Am I not studying English now?
Isn't she writing a letter now?
Usages:
1- Present continuous tense is used to show the duration of an action that is going on at
the moment of speaking.
.
Ex: We are speaking English now. I am telling a story to children now.
Note: When P.C.T is used in this way, it is usually followed by adverbs of time like: now,
right now, at present, right away.
:
.
Ex: They are going to school now. You are taking two courses at present.
3- Present Continuous Tense is used to show an action or activity that will take place in
the near or immediate future.
.
Ex: I am traveling to Mazar-e-Sharif tomorrow. We are inviting you next week.
4- Present Continuous Tense shows an action that appears continuous but not necessary at
the time of speaking.
.
Ex: Hassan is working in a bank.
Spelling rules in P.C.T
The following ways must be observed in adding (ing) at the end of verbs.
( ing) .
1- Verbs ending in silent (e) drop (e) and add (ing).
( e) ( e) ( ing) .
Ex: come/coming, smile/smiling, bite/biting
2- Verbs ending in (ee) take (ing) without any changes.
( ee) ( ing) .
Ex: agree/agreeing
3- Verbs ending in (ie), change (ie) to (y) and add (ing)
ie ie y ( ing) .
Ex: tie/tying vie/vying
4- Verbs ending in (y) take (ing) without any changes.
y ( ing) .
Ex: cry/crying, play/playing

5- One syllable verbs ending in a vowel + consonant double the last consonant and add
(ing).
+ ( ing)
.
Ex: put/putting, sit/sitting
Note: Verbs ending in (c) add an extra (k) before adding (ing).
:( c) ( ing) ( k) .
Ex: picnic/picnicking
Simple past tense

Structure:
Affirmative Form: - S + V2 + Complement.
Question Form: - Did + S + V1 + Complement?
Negative Form: - S + did + not + V1 + Complement.
Ques.Neg Form: - Did + not + S + V1 + Complement?
I went to school yesterday.
She watched TV last night.
Did I go to school yesterday?
Did she watch TV last night?
I did not go to school yesterday. She didn't watch YV last night.
Didn't I go to school yesterday?
Didn't she watch TV last night?
Usages:
1- Simple past tense indicates an action that took place at some specified time in the past.
.
Ex: he met his friend yesterday. We went swimming last week.
Note: When S.P.T is used in this way, it is usually followed by adverbs of time like
yesterday, last night, last week, last month, last year, ago, 2 hours ago, 3 days ago.
.
Ex: he got to Kabul last week. I saw him two days ago. You came here 1 hour ago.
2- Simple past tense is used to ask about past actions using a question word.
.
Ex: Where were you yesterday? Could you see him tomorrow? What did you do?
3- Simple past tense can be used with (always) to show past habit.
( always) .
Ex: She always chewed gum. They always told lie. I always swam in that lake.
Past Continuous Tense

Structure:

Affirmative Form: - S + was/were + Ving + Complement.

Question Form: - Was/Were + S + Ving + Complement?
Negative Form: - S + was/were + not + Ving + Complement.
Ques.Neg Form: - Was/Were + not + S + Ving + Complement?
I was studying English.
Was I studying English?
I was not studying English.
Wasn't I studying English?

They were playing football.

Were they playing football?
They were not playing football.
Weren't they playing football?

Usages:
1- Past continuous tense is used shows the duration of an action or activity that was going
on at some specified time in the past.
.
Ex: I was teaching in the class when he entered. We were listening to the radio all
evening. He was playing tennis at 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon.
2- Past continuous tense can be used with always to show a past habit.
( always) .
Ex: They were always telling lies. She was always complaining about her life.
Simple Future Tense

Structure (1):
Affirmative Form: - S + Shall/Will + V + Complement.
Question Form: - Shall/Will + S + V + Complement?
Negative Form: - S + shall/will + not + V + Complement.
Ques.Neg Form: - Shall/ Will + not + S + V + Complement?
He will come to Kunduz.
Will he come to Kunduz?
He will not come to Kunduz.
Won't he come to Kunduz?

I shall meet him in the conference hall.

Shall I meet him in the conference hall?
I shall not meet him in the conference hall.
Shan't I meet him in the conference hall?

Structure (2):
Affirmative Form: - S + tobe + going to + V + Complement.
Question Form: - Tobe + S + going to + V + Complement?
Negative Form: - S + tobe + not + going to + V + Complement.
Ques.Neg Form: - Tobe + not + S + going to + V + Complement?
She is going to fix the car.

We are going to visit the president.

Is she going to fix the car?

Are we going to visit the president?
She is not going to fix the car. We are not going to visit the president.
Isn't she going to fix the car? Aren't we going to visit the president?
Usages:
1- Simple future tense is used to show an action that will take place at some specified
time in the future.
.
Ex: I will go there tomorrow. He will take a trip to Dubai next week.
Note: When simple future tense is used in this way, it is usually followed by adverbs of
time like tonight, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, next week, next month, & next year

Ex: She will perform this show next week. I will not call him tonight.
2- Simple future tense can be used in the sentences, which contain conditional clauses.
) ( .
Ex: If it is sunny, we will go swimming. We shall visit the governor, if he has time.
Note: The auxiliary verb shall is used in the future simple tense only the most formal
conditions.
shall .
Ex: I shall point out this subject in our weekly meeting. The Minister shall resign soon.
Future Progressive Tense

Structure (1):
Affirmative Form: - S + shall/will + be + Ving + Complement.
Question Form: - Shall/Will + S + be + Ving + Complement?
Negative Form: - S + Shall/Will + not + be + Ving + Complement.
Ques.Neg Form: - Shall/Will + not + S + be + Ving + Complement?
I will be reading the letter then.
Will I be reading the letter then?
I will not be reading the letter then.
Won't I be reading the letter then?

She will be cleaning the house tomorrow.

Will she be cleaning the house tomorrow?
She will not be cleaning the house tomorrow.
Won't she be cleaning the house tomorrow?

Structure (2):
Affirmative Form: - S + tobe +going to+ be + Ving + Complement.
Question Form: - Tobe + S + going to + be + Ving + Complement?
Negative Form: - S + tobe + not + going to + be + Ving + Complement.
Ques.Neg Form: - Tobe + not + S + going to + be + Ving + Complement?
He is going to be buying everything. They are going to be watching the movie then.
Is he going to be buying everything? Are they going to be watching the movie then?
He isn't going to be buying everything. They aren't going to be watching the movie then.

Isn't he going to be buying everything? Aren't they going to be watching the movie then?
Usages:
1- Future continuous tense shows the duration of an action that will be going on at some
specified time in the future.
.
Ex: What are you going to be doing at this time tomorrow?
I am going to be learning in the course at this time tomorrow.
I will be working all day tomorrow afternoon.
2- Future progressive tense can be used in the sentences, which contain conditional
clauses. .
Ex: If it is hot, we are going to be staying home.
Present perfect Tense

Structure:
Affirmative Form: - S + have/has + V3 + Complement.
Question Form: - Have/Has + S + V3 + Complement?
Negative Form: - S + have/has + not + V3 + Complement.
Ques.Neg Form: - Have/Has + not + S + V3 + Complement?
I have seen that movie before.
Have I seen that movie before?
I have not seen that movie before.
Haven't I seen that movie before?

She has done her homework already.

Has she done her homework already?
She has not done her homework already
Hasn't she done her homework already?

Usages:
1- Present Perfect Tense shows an action which started and completed at some
unspecified and inexact time in the past.
.
Ex: I have already been to Pakistan. She has studied English before.
Note: - when present perfect tense P.P.T is used in this way, it is usually followed by
adverbs of time like; already, yet, before, lately, anymore etc.
.
Ex: He has already visited Germany. The doctor has not come yet.
2- The present perfect tense is used with (since and for) to show an action that started in
the past and continues up to now.
( since/for)
.
Ex: Our family has lived in Kabul for 20 years. Our family has lived in Kabul since 1986.
3- Present Perfect Tense can also show an action which was completed in the past, but the
signs and affects of the action is still in the present time.


.
Ex: Ahmad has fixed the picture in the wall. The students have learned the lesson.
4- Present Perfect Tense is used with (just) to show an action in the immediate past.
( just) .
Ex: I have just entered the class. He has just come in. We have just begun the lesson.
5- The Present Perfect Tense expresses an action that was repeated several times in the
past. .
Ex: He has visited Herat several times. We have seen that movie many times.
Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Structure:
Affirmative Form: - S + have/has + been + Ving + Complement.
Question Form: - Have/Has + S + been + Ving + Complement?
Negative Form: - S + have/has + not + been + Ving + Complement.
Neg.Ques Form: - Have/has + not + S + been + Ving + Complement?
I have been studying English for one year.
Have I been studying English for one year?
I have not been studying English for one year.
2005
Havent I been studying English for one year?
2005?

He has been studying English since 2005.

Has he been studying English since 2005?
He has not been studying English since
Hasnt he been studying English since

Usage:
1 Present Perfect Continuous Tense indicates the duration of an action that started at
some time in the past and continued up to now and is still continuing.

.
Ex: He has been writing a letter. They have been walking for 30 minutes.
Memo: It is also mentionable that present perfect continuous tense is usually
followed by (since and for) in the sentences.
( since/for)
.
Ex: She has been cooking lunch since 10:00am. He has been running for 45 minutes.
Past Perfect Tense

Structure:
Affirmative Form: S + had + V3 + Complement
Question Form: Had + S + V3 + Complement?

Negative Form: S + had + not + V3 + Complement

Neg.Ques Form: Had + not + S + V3 + Complement?
He had gone out before.
Had he gone out before?
He had not gone out before.
Hadnt he gone out before?

We had had a good time.

Had we had a good time?
We had not had a good time.
Hadnt we had a good time?

Usages:
2 Past Perfect Tense shows an action that started before the time of speaking in the
past and was jus t finished. Or in other words, Past Perfect Tense shows an action
that took place before another time action in the past.

.
.
Ex: She had finished lunch before I went.
Note: Past Perfect Tense is usually followed by a past tense clause.
.
Ex: Zahed had flown to India before we arrived to the airport.
Shahla had cleaned the kitchen before her mother came.
Past Perfect Continuous Tense
Structure:
Affirmative Form: S + had + been + Ving + Complement.
Question Form: Had + S + been + Ving + Complement?
Negative Form: S + had + not + been + Ving + Complement.
Neg.Ques Form: Had + not + S + been + Ving + Complement?
Ex: They had been going there.
Had they been going there?
They had not been going there.
Hadnt they been going there?

He had been teaching English.

Had he been teaching English?
He had not been teaching English.
Hadnt he been teaching English?

Usages:
3 Past Perfect Continuous Tense indicates the duration of an action that was going
on before another action in the past.

.
Ex: Dilawar had been studying for the exam 3 hours before he went to school.
Future Perfect Tense

Structure:
Affirmative Form: S + shall/will + have + V3 + Complement

Question Form: Shall/Will + S + have + V3 + Complement?

Negative Form: S + shall/will + not + have + V3 + Complement.
Neg.Ques Form: Shall/Will+ not + S + have + V3 + Complement?
Ex: The plane will have flown by the time we get in the airport.
Will the plane have flown by the time we get in the airport?
The plane will not have flown by the time we get in the airport.
Wont the plane have flown by the time we get in the airport?
Usage:
4 Future Perfect Tense indicates an action that will have been completed before
some specified time in the future.
.
Ex: I will have done my homework by 11:00pm tomorrow night.
You will have finished everything by the boss comes.