| Name of the tense |
Meaning of the tense |
Examples |
Formation of the sentence |
| 1. Simple Present |
It is used to -a). Express something happening at present.
b. Express custom or habit.
c. To express general truths. |
a.) Look, how gracefully she dances.
b.) I play basketball daily.
c.) The sun sets in the west. |
Always use the first form of the verb in the Simple Present tense. |
| 2. Present Continuous |
It is used to express an action going at the time of speaking. |
a.) The boys are working hard.
b.) She is reading a book.
c.) I am telling a joke. |
In this tense, we use "Is/am/ are +1st form of the verb+ ing." |
| 3. Present Perfect |
It expresses an action begun in the Past and completed in thePresent time. |
a.) The boys have completed their homework.
b.) Manjit has won the case. |
We use Have/Has+3rd form of the verb in this tense. |
| 4. Present Perfect Continuous |
When we talk about an action begun in the past and continuing in Present, it is defined as present perfect continuous. |
a.) I have been staying in Chandigarh for a year.
b.)Reema has been living here since 1989. |
Use Has been/ Have been + 1st form of the verb + ing +For/Since+ time. |
| 5. Indefinite (Simple Past) |
It expresses single act done in the past or a habit or custom in the past. |
a) Rita wrote an article daily.
b)Juliet recited a poem every Sunday.
|
Second Form of the verb is used to make a Past Indefinite Tense. |
| 6. Past Continuous Tense |
It expresses an action that was going on at some point in the past. |
a) was teaching when my friend called me on.
b) The children were playing when the Principal entered the classroom |
Was/Were + Ist Form +
Ing |
| 7. Past Perfect |
Past Perfect tense expresses an action which had been completed before another was begun. |
a) I had completed my homework, when the teacher came.
b) The boys had won the game, before I came.
|
Had + 3rd Form
|
8. Past Perfect Continuous Tense
|
This tense shows an action that had continued for certain time previous to the point of past time mentioned.
|
(a) Gigi had been living in this bungalow for 2 years, before she vocated it.
b) She had been singing for 1 hour, before his mother arrived.
|
Had been +
1st Form + ing + For + time
|
9. Future Indefinite
|
It is used to express any action to be done in the future.
|
a) She will go to watch the movie tomorrow.
b) I shall visit your home this evening.
|
Will /Shall +
1st Form.
|
10. Future Continuous
|
It is used to express an action that will be continuing at some point of time in future.
|
a) The girl will be singing at that time.
b) Reema shall be visiting her friend's house at that time.
|
Shall be/will be + 1st form + ing |
10. Future Perfect
|
It shows an action would be completed in future before another action takes place..
|
a) He will have gobbled up the cake before you arrive.
|
Will have/shall have + 3rd Form
|
| 11. Future Perfect Continuous |
It shows an action will be going on at a point of time in future. |
a) She shall have been writing a book for sometime before you come.
b) Rita shall have been living in this place for two months by this time.
|
Will have/shall have + been + 1st form + ing .
|
