TENSES

• PRESENT TENSE

• PAST TENSE

• FUTURE TENSE
 PRESENT TENSE
• PRESENT SIMPLE

• PRESENT CONTINUOUS

• PRESENT PERFECT

• PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

 PRESENT SIMPLE TENSE
Formula
Subject + Base Form of Verb + Object
For Example
Students study in the university
He plays cricket in the ground
Note
S or Es is always added in the verb when
we have singular subject. e.g. He, She, It
 PRESENT SIMPLE
The simple present tense is used:
2. To express a habitual action
He drinks tea every morning
2. To express general truths
The sun rises in the east
3. To talk about things that stay the same
for a long time
She works in television
PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE
Formula
Subject + (am, is, are) + BFV (ing) + Object
For Example
I am working at the moment.
They are going to play football.
Note
“Is” is used for singular subject and “Are” is
used for the plural subject.
PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE
The Present continuous tense is used:
2. To talk about an action that is happening
now.
They are working on computer now
4. To talk about something that is
happening during this period of time but
not exactly at the time of speaking.
I am learning English language at
evening classes these days.
 PRESENT PERFECT
Formula
Subject + (Has, Have) + Past Participle + O
For Example
He has spoken in German
They have eaten their meal.
Note
Third form of verb is used in this tense. “Has” is
used for singular subject and “Have” is used for
plural subject.
 PRESENT PERFECT TENSE
Present perfect is used:
2. To indicate completed activities in the
immediate past.
He has just gone out
2. To share the experience.
I have driven the Limousine
 PRESENT PERFECT
CONTINUOUS
Formula
Subject + (has been, have been) + BFV (ing)+
Since/For + Object
For Example
They have been building the bridge for several
months.
Note
Since is used for specific time e.g. Morning,
Tuesday, July, 2001.
For is used for period of time e.g. 6 days, 2
months, 5 years.
 PRESENT PERFECT
CONTINUOUS
1. The present perfect continuous is used
for an action which began at some time
in the past and is still continuing; as,

• He has been sleeping for five hours.

• Children have been playing since 4
o’clock