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English/VIII Tenses 1
 WHAT ARE TENSES?

The concept of tense in English is a method that we use to refer to time –

past, present and future.

Two components of many English tenses: time and aspect.

Time expresses: Aspect can be:

 past - before now  progressive - uncompleted action
 present - now,  perfective - completed action or
 future - after now state

English/VIII Tenses 2
 Simple Present present

Actions that happened

in the past, happen
now and will happen in past future
the future

Routine action I eat fruits everyday.

General truth Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius

English/VIII Tenses 3
 Simple Past
present
Actions that began
I watched a movie last night. and ended in the
time gone by

past future

I studied German in college

English/VIII Tenses 4
 Simple Future
present
Actions that will take
place in the time to volunteer I will answer the doorbell.
come

past future

predict I will finish my architecture

course next year

promise I will meet you tomorrow for

lunch.

English/VIII Tenses 5
 Present Continuous present

Actions lasting for a short

period of time in the present or in the present
actions that are planned for the
I am talking to my mother.
future

past future

planned for future

I am leaving for Greece next week.

English/VIII Tenses 6
 Past Continuous
present

My father and Mr Jones were playing tennis Action going on at a

yesterday evening. definite time in the past

past future

was
walking (action 1) Slipped (action 2)

Last night, I was walking home when I slipped on the road.

English/VIII Tenses 7
 Future Continuous present

Actions that will be

going on at a certain
We will be moving to our new apartment tomorrow
time in the future
evening.

past future

4pm 6pm

We will be attending a seminar on composting

from 4 pm to 6 pm tomorrow.

English/VIII Tenses 8
 Present Perfect present

I have completed the assignment. completed action in the past, exact time not known

past future

She has been in this company since 1990. Action began in past, still going on at the time of speaking

The following words show indefinite

time:
already occurred before the expected time I have already received the package
just happened a short while ago I have just received the package
never/not did not take place any time I have not yet received the package

yet to be completed in the expected time I have not received the package

English/VIII Tenses 9
 Past Perfect present

The sun had already risen when we reached the hill top One action happened earlier
than the other
had risen (action 1) Reached (action 2)

past future
5:59am 6am 6:10am

woke up (action Rang (action

1) 2)

The children woke up and the alarm rang. Actions completed in the past

English/VIII Tenses 10
 Future Perfect present

Action will be completed by a definite time in the future

The company will have built the bridge by June
2025.
June 2025
Bridge ?

past future

will have moved arrive

(action 1) (action 2)

Action will be completed by an approximate time in Jim will have already/ just moved to London
the future
by the time I arrive in India.

English/VIII Tenses 11
 Present Perfect Continuous
present

I have been trying to solve this puzzle for Action that began in the
two hours. past and continues up to
the point of speaking
still trying

past future

two hours

English/VIII Tenses 12
 Past Perfect Continuous
present
Action that had been
going on continuously
Retired (action2) up to that time in the
past that is being
Managing referred
(action1)

past future

Mr Smith had been managing the factory for 20 years before he retired last year.

English/VIII Tenses 13
 Future Perfect Continuous
duration of action at
a definite time in the
present
future

next September
working

past future

three years

She will have been working as an architect for three years by next September.

English/VIII Tenses 14
 The End

English/VIII Tenses 15