Tenses

Present Tense
It is used to express an action in present time, habitual or
usual actions or daily event or universal fact. It is used to
express an action in present time which is usually done on a
regular basis. For example a student says,

I go to school

It is a daily activity of a student to go to school, so such

actions are expressed by present simple tense.
Structure of sentence
Positive Sentence
Subject + Main verb + Object
Subject + 1st form of verb (or base verb) + Object
Note: If the subject in a sentence is he, she, it, singular or proper noun then s
or es is added to the first form of verb or base form in the sentence.

Examples.
I write a letter.
He gets up early in the morning.
Sun rises in east.
Negative Sentences

Subject + auxiliary verb +NOT + Main verb +object

Subject + Do not/Does not + 1st form of verb (or base form) + object

Note: In negative sentence auxiliary verb do or does along with not is used. If
the subject in a sentence is he, she, it, singular or proper noun, then Does not is
used after subject in sentence. If subject is I, we, they, you or plural then Do not
is used after subject in sentence. s or es is not added to main verb in negative
sentence

Examples.
I do not write a letter.
He does not get up early in the morning.
Sun does not rise in east.
Interrogative Sentence

Auxiliary verb + Subject + Main verb + Object

Do/Does + Subject + 1st for of verb (or base verb) + Object

Examples.
Do I write a letter?
Does he get up early in the morning?
Does sun rise in east?

Note: If the subject in a sentence is he, she, it, singular or proper noun the
sentence is started with Auxiliary verb Does. If the subject in a sentence is
I, we, they, you or plural the sentence is started with auxiliary verb Do. s
or es is not added to main verb in Interrogative sentence
More Examples
Positive Sentences
I sing a song.
He drinks water
They read lessons
Birds chirp
John reaches home in time.
Water maintains its surface level.
Negative Sentences
I do not sing a song
He does not drink water
They do not read lessons
Birds do not chirp
John does not reach home in time.
Water does not maintain its surface level.
Interrogative Sentences
Do I sing a song?
Does he drink water?
Do they read lessons?
Do birds chirp?
Does John reach home in time?
Does water maintain its surface level?
Present Continuous Tense
It is used to express a continued or ongoing action at present time. It
expresses an action which is in progress at the time of speaking. For
example, a person says,

I am writing a letter

It means that he is in the process of writing a letter right now. Such actions
which are happening at time of speaking are expressed by present
continuous tense. Present Continuous tense is also called Present
progressive tense.

Rules : Auxiliary verb am or is or are is used in sentence. 1st form of

verb or base verb + ing (present participle) is used as main verb in sentence.
Structure of sentence
Positive Sentence
Subject + auxiliary verb + main verb-ing (Present participle) + object
Subject + am/is/are + (1st form of verb or base verb + ing) + object

If the subject is I then auxiliary verb am is used after subject in sentence.

If the subject is He, She, It, singular or proper name then auxiliary verb is is used after subject in
sentence.
If subject is You, They or plural then auxiliary verb are is used after subject in sentence.
The participle ing is added to the 1st form of verb i.e. going (go) writing (write)

Examples
I am playing cricket.
He is driving a car
They are reading their lessons.
Negative Sentence
Subject + auxiliary verb + not + main verb-ing (Present participle) + object
Subject + am/is/are + not + (1st form of verb + ing) + object
Examples.
I am not playing cricket.
He is not driving a car
They are not reading their lessons.

Rules for using auxiliary verbs (am or is or are) after subject in negative
sentences are same as mentioned in positive.
Interrogative Sentences
Auxiliary verb + Subject + main verb-ing (Present participle) + object
Am/is/are + Subject + (1st form of verb or base verb + ing) + object
For making interrogative sentences, the sentence is started with auxiliary verb rather than putting
auxiliary verb inside the sentence. If the subject is I the sentence starts with auxiliary verb am. If
the subject is He, She, It, singular or proper name the sentence starts with auxiliary verb is. If
subject is You, They or plural the sentence starts with auxiliary verb are.

Examples.
Am I playing cricket?
Is he driving a car?
Are they reading their lessons?
More Examples
Positive Sentences
I am listening to the news
You are washing your clothes
She is riding on horse
They are playing football.
It is raining
Negative Sentence
I am not listening to the news.
You are not washing your clothes.
She is not riding on a horse.
They are not playing football.
It is not raining.
Interrogative Sentences
Am I listening to the news?
Are you washing your clothes?
Is she riding on a horse?
Are they playing football?
Is it raining?
Present Perfect Tense
It is used to expressed an action which happened or completed in
past but usually the action which happened or completed at a short
time before now (near past) not a very long time before now. Specific
time such as two years ago, last week or that day is usually not used
in the sentences of in this tense. It means that this tense expresses
the action whose time when it happened, is not exactly specified but
it sounds to refer to some action that happened or completed in near
past.

Rules: Auxiliary verb has or have is used in sentence. 3rd form of verb
(past participle) is used as main verb in sentence.
Structure of sentence
Positive Sentence
Subject + Auxiliary verb + main verb (past participle) + Subject
Subject + has/have + 3rd form of verb or past participle + subject
If the subject is He, She, It, singular or proper name then auxiliary verb
has is used after subject in sentence.
If subject is You, They or plural then auxiliary verb have is used after
subject in sentence.

Examples
I have eaten meal
She has learnt a lesson
Negative Sentence
Subject + Auxiliary verb + NOT + main verb (past participle) + Subject
Subject + has/have + NOT + 3rd form of verb or past participle +
subject
Rules for using auxiliary verb has or have in negative sentence are same as
mentioned in positive sentence.

Examples
I have not eaten meal.
She has not learnt a lesson.
Interrogative Sentences

Auxiliary verb + Subject + main verb (past participle) + Subject

Has/have + Subject + 3rd form of verb or past participle + subject

Interrogative sentence starts with auxiliary verb. If the subject is He, She, It,
singular or proper name then the sentence starts with auxiliary verb has.
If subject is You, They or plural then the sentence starts with auxiliary verb
have.

Examples
Have I eaten meal?
Has she learnt a lesson?
More Examples.
Positive Sentences
They have bought a new car.
I have started a job
It has rained.
The guests have arrived
John has left for home.
You have told a lie.
Negative Sentences
They have not bought a new car.
I have not started a job
It has not rained.
The guests have not arrived.
John has not left for home.
You have not told a lie.
Negative Sentences
Have they bought a new car?
Have I started a job?
Has it rained?
Have the guests arrived?
Has John left for home?
Have you told a lie?
Present Perfect Continuous tense
It is used to express a continued or ongoing action that started in past and
is continued until now. There will be a time reference, such as since 1980,
for three hours etc from which the action has been started.

He has been reading in this school since 2005

Rules: An auxiliary verb has been or have been is used in sentence. 1st
form of verb (base verb) +ing (present participle) is used as main verb in
sentence. Since or for is used before the time reference in sentence.
Structure of sentence.
Positive Sentence.
Subject + Auxiliary verb + main verb (Present participle) + Object + Time
reference
Subject + has been/have been + (1st form of verb or base verb + ing) + object +
time reference

If the subject is He, She, It, singular or proper name then auxiliary verb has
been is used after subject in sentence.
If subject is You, They or plural then auxiliary verb have been is used after
subject in sentence.

Examples.
He has been watering the plants for two hours.
I have been studying since 3 Oclock
Negative Sentence.

Subject +Not between the Auxiliary verb + main verb (present participle)
+ Object + Time reference
Subject + has not been/have not been + (1st form of verb or base verb +
ing) + object + time reference

To make negative sentence, the word not is written between the auxiliary
verbs, so it becomes like has not been or have not been. The rule for using
auxiliary verb has been or have been in negative sentences is as same as
mentioned above.

Examples.
He has not been watering the plants for two hours.
I have not been studying since 3 Oclock.
Interrogative Sentence.

Auxiliary verb + Subject + Auxiliary verb + main verb (present participle) +

object + time reference
Has/have + Subject + been + (1st form of verb or base verb+ing) + object +
time reference
Interrogative sentence starts with auxiliary verb. If the subject is He, She, It,
singular or proper name then the sentence starts with auxiliary verb has
and auxiliary verb been is used after subject
If subject is You, They or plural then the sentence starts with auxiliary verb
have and been is used after subject

Examples.
Has he been watering the plants for two hours?
Have I been studying since 3 Oclock?
More examples.
Positive sentences
It has been raining for three days.
I have been living in America since 2003.
He has been playing cricket for two hours.
They have been watching television since 6
Oclock.
She has been working in this office since 2007.
Negative sentences
It has not been raining for three days.
I have not been living in America since 2003.
He has not been playing cricket for two hours.
They have not been watching television since 6
Oclock.
She has not been working in this office since 2007.
Positive sentences
Has it been raining for three days?
Have I been living in America since 2003?
Has he been playing cricket for two hours.
Have they been watching television since 6 Oclock?
Has she been working in this office since 2007?
Past Simple Tense
It is used to express an action that happened or completed in past,
usually a very little time before speaking, or action which is just
completed. Time of action is not specified in terms of long time ago
or short ago but it make a sense that the action has done a little time
ago. For example, a person says,
I watched a movie
it means the speaker of this sentence watched a movie a little time
ago or little time ago in the same day.

Rules: 2nd form of verb (past simple) is used as main verb in the positive sentences and base form is
used in negative and interrogative sentences.
Structure of sentences
Positive Sentence
Subject + main verb (past simple) + object
Subject + 2nd form of verb (past simple) + object
Examples
I killed a snake
He ate a mango.

Negative sentences
Subject + (auxiliary verb + not) main verb (base form) + object
Subject + did not + 1st form of verb or base form + object

In negative sentence did not is written and the 1st form of verb (base verb) is used instead of using 2nd
form (or past simple verb).

Examples.
I did not kill a snake
He did not eat a mango
Interrogative sentences
Auxiliary verb + subject + main verb (base verb) + object
Did + subject + 1st form of verb (or base verb) + object

Interrogative sentence starts with did and the 1st form of verb (base verb) is used instead
of using 2nd form (or past simple verb).

Examples
Did I kill a snake?
Did he eat a mango?
More Examples
Negative sentences
He gave me a gift
They went to cinema.
She wrote a letter to him.
I made a table.
You answered correctly.
Negative sentences
He did not give me a gift
They did not go to cinema.
She did not write a letter to him.
I did not make a table.
You did not answer correctly.
Interrogative sentences
Did he give me a gift?
Did they go to cinema?
Did she write a letter to him?
Did I make a table?
Did you answer correctly?
Past Continuous tense
It is used to express a continued or ongoing action in past, an ongoing
action which occurred in past and completed at some point in past. It
expresses an ongoing nature of an action in past. For example,

he was laughing.

This sentence shows ongoing action (laughing) of a person which

occurred in past. Past continuous tense is also called past progressive.

Rules: Auxiliary verb was or were is used in sentence. 1st form of verb or base verb + ing
(present participle) is used as main verb in sentence.
Structure of sentence
Structure of sentence
Positive sentences
Subject + auxiliary verb + Main Verb (present participle) + object
Subject + was/were + (1st form of verb or base verb +ing) +object

If the subject is he, she, It, I, singular or proper noun then auxiliary verb was is used. If subject is you, we, they or
plural then auxiliary verb were is used.
Examples.
She was crying yesterday.
They were climbing on a hill.
Negative sentences
Subject + auxiliary verb + NOT + Main verb (present participle) + object
Subject + was/were + NOT + (1st form of verb or base verb +ing) +object

Rules for using auxiliary verb after subject are same as mentioned above.
Examples.
She was not crying yesterday.
They were not climbing on a hill.
Interrogative sentences
Auxiliary verb + Subject + Main verb (present participle) + object
Was/were + Subject + (1st form of verb or base verb +ing) +object

The interrogative sentence starts with the auxiliary verb. If the subject is he, she,
It, I, singular or proper noun then the sentence starts with auxiliary verb was. If
subject is you, we, they or plural then the sentence starts with auxiliary verb
were.
Examples.
Was she crying yesterday?
Were they climbing on a hill?
More Examples
Positive sentences
They were laughing at the joker.
He was taking exam last month
You waiting for him yesterday
She was working in a factory.
It was raining yesterday.
Negative sentences
They were not laughing at the joker.
He was not taking exam last month
You were not waiting for him yesterday
She was not working in a factory.
It was not raining yesterday.
Interrogative sentences
Were they laughing at the joker?
Was he taking exam last month?
Were you waiting for him yesterday?
Was she working in a factory?
Was it raining yesterday?
Past perfect tense
It is used to express an action which has occurred in past (usually, a long time ago)
and action which has occurred in past before another action in past. For example,
I had lived in America.
(The sense of time in this sentence refers to a completed action in past and
especially a long time ago)

The students had gone before the teacher came.

(The first part of sentence The student has gone is sentence of past perfect
tense, it says about an action which occurred before another action in past which is
the teacher came. The second part the teacher came is sentence of past simple
tense. So such a sentence which express an action in past before another action in
past comprises two parts where the first part of sentence is past perfect tense)

Rules. Auxiliary verb had is used in sentence. 3rd form of verb (past participle) is
used as main verb in sentence
Structure of sentence.
Positive sentence
Subject + auxiliary verb + main verb (past participle) + object
Subject + had + 3rd form of verb or past participle + object

Examples.
He had taken the exam last year
A thief had stolen my watch.

Negative sentence
Subject + auxiliary verb + NOT + main verb (past participle) + object
Subject + had + not + 3rd form of verb or past participle + object

Not is written after auxiliary verb in negative sentence.

Examples.
He had not taken the exam last year
A thief had not stolen my watch.
Interrogative sentence
Auxiliary verb + subject + main verb (past participle) + object
Had + subject + 3rd form of verb or past participle + object

Interrogative sentence starts with auxiliary verb had

Examples.
Had he taken the exam last year
Had a thief stolen my watch?
More Examples

Positive sentences
They had visited a doctor.
He had slept.
I had finished my work last year.
It had rained heavily last month.
The film had started before we reached cinema.
Negative sentences
They had not visited a doctor.
He had not slept.
I had not finished my work last year.
It had not rained heavily last month.
The film had not started before we reached cinema.
Interrogative sentences
Had they visited a doctor?
Had he slept?
Had I finished my work last year?
Had it rained heavily last month?
Had the film started before we reached cinema.
Past Perfect continuous tense
It is used to express a continued or ongoing action that started in past
and continued until sometime in past. (Remember, an ongoing action
in past which continued till some time in past) There will be a time
reference, such as since 1980, for three hours etc For Example,
He had been studying in this school since 2005
Note: If there is not time reference or sense of time reference, then it is
not Past perfect continuous tense

Rules: An auxiliary verb had been is used in sentence. 1st form of verb (base verb) +ing (present
participle) is used as main verb in sentence. Since or for is used before the time reference in
sentence. If the time reference is exactly known such as 1995, 4 Oclock then since is used before
the time in sentence. If the time reference is not exactly known such as three hours, six years, four
days, then for is used before the time in sentence.
Structure of sentence
Positive Sentence.
Subject + Auxiliary verb + main verb (Present participle) + Object + Time reference
Subject + had been + (1st form of verb or base verb + ing) + object + time reference

Examples.
I had been waiting for him for one hour.
She had been playing chess since 7 Oclock.

Negative Sentence.
Subject +Not between the Auxiliary verbs + main verb (present participle) + Object + Time
reference
Subject + had not been + (1st form of verb or base verb + ing) + object + time reference
To make negative sentence, the word not is added inside auxiliary verb, so it becomes had not
been.
Examples.
I had not been waiting for him for one hour.
She had not been playing chess since 7 Oclock.
Interrogative Sentence

Auxiliary verb+ Subject + Auxiliary verb + main verb (present participle) + object +
time reference
Had + Subject + been + (1st form of verb or base verb+ing) + object + time
reference

Interrogative sentence starts with auxiliary verb had and auxiliary verb been is
used after subject in sentence.
Examples.
Had I been waiting for him for one hour?
Had she been playing chess 7 Oclock?
More examples.
Positive sentences
I had been living in America since 2003.
He had been playing cricket for two hours.
They had been watching television since 6 Oclock.
She had been working in this office since 2007.
It had been raining for three days.
Negative sentences
I had not been living in America since 2003.
He had not been playing cricket for two hours.
They had not been watching television since 6 Oclock.
She had not been working in this office since 2007.
It had not been raining for three days.
Positive sentences
Had I been living in America since 2003?
Had he been playing cricket for two hours.
Had they been watching television since 6 Oclock?
Had she been working in this office since 2007?
Had it been raining for three days?
Future simple tense
It is used to express an action which has not occurred yet and will
occur after saying or in future. For example,

I will go to zoo tomorrow

in this sentence the person intend for tomorrows visit to zoo. In short,
these sentences express actions which will be done in future.

Rules. Auxiliary verb will is used in sentence. 1st form of verb or base form is used as
main verb in sentence.
Structure of sentence
Positive sentence
Subject + auxiliary verb + main verb + object
Subject + will + (1st form of verb) + object
Examples.
I will buy a computer tomorrow.
They will come here.

Negative sentence
Subject + auxiliary verb+ not + main verb + object
Subject + will +not + (1st form of verb) + object
To make negative sentence not is written after auxiliary verb in sentence.
Examples.
I will not buy a computer tomorrow.
They will not come here.
Interrogative sentence

Auxiliary verb + subject + main verb + object

Will + subject + (1st form of verb) + object

Interrogative sentence starts with auxiliary verb will

Examples.
Will I buy a computer tomorrow?
Will they come here?
More Examples
Positive sentences
He will start a business.
She will send me a letter.
I will give you a pen tomorrow
Students will take exams at the end of semester.
They will buy a new car.
The Pattern of exam will change next year.
Negative sentences
He will not start a business.
She will not send me a letter.
I will not give you a pen tomorrow
Students will not take exams at the end of semester.
They will not buy a new car.
The pattern of exam will not change next year.
Interrogative sentences
Will he start a business?
Will she send me a letter?
Will I give you a pen tomorrow?
Will students take exams at the end of semester?
Will they buy a new car?
Will the Pattern of exam change next year?
Future Continuous tense
It is used to express a continued or an ongoing action in future. For example,

I will be waiting for you tomorrow

it conveys ongoing nature of an action (waiting) which will occur in future.

Rules. Auxiliary verb will be is used in sentence. 1st form of verb + ing
(present participle) is used as main verb in sentence.
Structure of sentence
Positive sentence
Subject + auxiliary verb + main verb (present participle) + object
Subject + will be+ 1st form of verb or base form + ing (present participle) + object
Examples.
I will be waiting for you.
You will be feeling well tomorrow.

Negative sentence
Subject + not between auxiliary verbs+ not + main verb (present participle) + object
Subject + will not be + 1st form of verb or base form+ing (present participle) + object
To make negative sentence not is written between auxiliary verbs will and be in sentence.
Examples.
I will not be waiting for you.
You will not be feeling well tomorrow.
Interrogative sentence

Auxiliary verb + subject + auxiliary verb + main verb (present participle) + object
Will + subject + be+ 1st form of verb or base form+ing (present participle) +
object

Interrogative sentence starts with auxiliary verb will and auxiliary verb be
comes after subject in interrogative sentence
Examples.
Will I be waiting for you?
Will you be feeling well tomorrow?
More Examples
Positive sentences
We will be shifting to a new home next year.
He will be flying a kite.
It will be raining tomorrow.
She will be enjoying her vacations.
He will be expecting honesty from his employees.
She will be delivering a speech to people.
Negative sentences
We will not be shifting to a new home next year.
He will not be flying a kite.
It will not be raining tomorrow.
She will not be enjoying her vacations.
He will not be expecting honesty from his employees.
She will not be delivering a speech to people.
Interrogative sentence
Will we be shifting to a new home next year?
Will he be flying a kite?
Will it be raining tomorrow?
Will she be enjoying her vacations?
Will he be expecting honesty from his employees?
Will she be delivering a speech to people?
Future Perfect tense
It is used to express an action which will occur in future and is thought to
be completed in future. It expresses a sense of completion of an action
which will occur in future. For example,

John will have gone tomorrow

It shows a sense of completion of an action (go) which will occur in future

(tomorrow).

Rules. Auxiliary verb will have is used in sentence. 3rd form of verb or past participle form of verb
is used as main verb in sentence.
Structure of sentence
Positive sentence
Subject + auxiliary verb + main verb (past participle) + object
Subject + will have + 3rd form of verb or past participle + object

Examples
She will have finished the work by Wednesday.
I will have left for home by the time he gets up.
You will have started a job.

Negative sentence
Subject + Not between auxiliary verbs + main verb (past participle) + object
Subject + will not have + 3rd form of verb or past participle + object

Examples
She will have finished the work by Wednesday.
I will have left for home by the time he gets up.
You will not have started a job.
Interrogative sentence
Auxiliary verb + Subject + auxiliary verb + main verb (past participle) +
object
Will + Subject +have + 3rd form of verb or past participle + object

Examples
Will she have finished the work by Wednesday?
Will I have left for home by the time he gets up?
Will you have started a job?
More Examples
Positive sentences
He will have finished his work.
You will have made a new chair.
She will have decorated her home.
I will have bought a computer.
They will have shifted to a new home.
Students will have passed the examination.
Negative sentences
He will not have finished his work.
You will not have made a new chair.
She will not have decorated her home.
I will not have bought a computer.
They will not have shifted to a new home.
Students will not have passed the examination.
Interrogative sentences
Will he have finished his work?
Will you have made a new chair?
Will she have decorated her home?
Will I have bought a computer?
Will they have shifted to a new home?
Will students have passed the examination?
Future Perfect Continuous tense
It is used to express a continued or ongoing action that will start in future
and is thought to be continued till sometime in future. (Remember, an
ongoing action in future which will continue till some time in future). There
will be a time reference, such as since 1980, for three hours For example,

He will have been studying in this school from 2018

Note: If there is not time reference or sense of time reference then it is not
future perfect continuous tense
Rules: An auxiliary verb will have been is used in sentence. 1st form of verb (base verb) +ing
(present participle) is used as main verb in sentence. Since or for is used before the time
reference in sentence. If the time reference is exactly known such as 1995, 4 Oclock then since is
used before the time in sentence. If the time reference is not exactly known such as three hours, six
years, four days, then for is used before the time in sentence.
Structure
Positive Sentence.
of sentence
Subject + Auxiliary verb + main verb (Present participle) + Object + Time reference
Subject + will have been + (1st form of verb or base verb + ing) + object + time reference
Examples.
I will have been waiting for him for one hour.
She will have been playing football since 2015.

Negative Sentence.
Subject +Not inside Auxiliary verbs + main verb (present participle) + Object + Time reference
Subject + will not have been + (1st form of verb or base verb + ing) + object + Time reference
To make negative sentence, the word not is added inside auxiliary verb, so it becomes will not have been.

Examples.
I will not have been waiting for him for one hour.
She will not have been playing football since 2015.
 Interrogative Sentence
Auxiliary verb + Subject + auxiliary verb + main verb (present participle) + object + time
reference
Will + Subject + have been + (1st form of verb or base verb+ing) + object + time

Interrogative sentence starts with auxiliary verb will and auxiliary verb have been is used after
subject in sentence.

Examples.
Will I have been waiting for him for one hour?
Will she have been playing football since 2015?
More examples.
Positive sentences
I will have been living in America since 2003.
He will have been playing cricket for two hours.
They will have been watching television since 6 Oclock.
She will been working in this office since 2007.
It will have been raining for three days.
Negative sentences
I will not have been living in America since 2003.
He will not have been playing cricket for two hours.
They will not have been watching television since 6
Oclock?
She will have been working in this office since 2007.
It will not have been raining for three days.
Positive sentences
Will I have been living in America since 2003?
Will he have been playing cricket for two hours.
Will they have been watching television since 6 Oclock?
Will she have been working in this office since 2007?
Will it have been raining for three days?