Tenses part 1

Simple present (do)

• To talk about universally true statements.
• The sun rises in the east.
• Reena plays piano well.
• To talk about hobbies/ actions that occur on a regular basis
• I go for a walk everyday.
• Sita plays cricket when she is free.
• Used with the verbs that perform the action they describe
• I agree to help him in every possible way. (agreement)
Other such performative verbs are apologise, assume, deny, guarantee, inform,
predict, promise, recommend, suppose, warn)
• I refuse to believe that he did not know that the car was stolen.
• Used with verbs describing states
• I enjoy reading books
• The board consists of five members
Other such verbs are agree, assume, regret, hope, have, hate, realise, smell, taste
• To report what we have read or heard
• The Times of India reports how the train accident occurred.
 Present Continuous Tense
• To talk about an event that has begun but has not ended at the time of
speaking
She is trying to get through this loss .
• To describe repeated events
Why are you looking here and there?
• To employ a temporary situation
The politicians are distributing blankets to gain votes.
• To describe a temporary state
I am enjoying this ride.
 Present Perfect and Simple Past
Present Perfect (I have done) Simple Past ( I did)
• When something has happened in the past but the time is • When an action happened at a specific
not specified.
• I have done my homework.
time.
• when some kind of connection is suggested between the
• I did my homework yesterday.
past event and the present time
• For situations that existed for a period of
We have planned a party to celebrate your success. time in the past.
• When a situation has lasted for long
• When I was young , I played
It has become so hot since past few years badminton for my school team
• When an action or event has occurred a number of times • The British ruled India for about two
The have committed the mistake thrice. centuries.
• Reporting about someone’s recent discovery, writing,
observation, invention etc.
• To state the time of present situation
Renee has discovered an easier method for • When did you arrive?
multiplication and division of numbers.
• To talk about about things that existed in the past and
• To talk about the state that no longer
continue in the present. exists.
We have known each other for six years. • I knew him when I was in London.
 Some examples

1. Nothing like this has ever happened before.

2. He did not ask about you before.
3. We have had the dishwasher for three years .
4. I had Ferrari for six years.
5. The price of the house has increased dramatically in past few years.
6. Unemployment increased every year after the shut down of old factories
7. Unemployment increased every year until 1995.
8. A great deal has happened since I last spoke to you.
9. We have spent 10000 rupees on food already.
10. We went with Mike last week.
Past continuous (was doing) and
simple past(did)
• To talk about a temporary
situation that existed at or
around a particular time
• I was having dinner when you
called.
• When we talk about two past
events or actions that went on
over at the same time
• He was preparing food while the
baby was crying.
• To talk about a completed past
event.
• She was wearing a blue dress
when she left the house
• When we talk about two or
more past completed events.
• Kamal worked hard when he
studied French.
Present perfect continuous and present perfect
• To talk about something that • (Same). The difference is that here
started in the past and affects the effect of the event is specified.
current situation • I have followed their advice strictly for
• I have been following their advice 4 years and I am a better person now.
strictly. • (Same) except when the number of
• To talk about recurring activity or times of recurrence is specified.
events • Dobby has danced thrice this evening.
• Dobby has been dancing all evening. • When we talk about long lasting or
permanent situations
• To emphasise that a situation has
• I have always admired Da Vinci’s art.
changed over a period of time and
may continue to change • If we talk about a specific change
• Prices have been increasing over a period of time
drastically. • Prices have increased by three percent
in past two years.