The Function of Tenses

What is Tense? 

A tense may be defined as that form of a verb which indicates the time and the state of an action or event.

Tense -- Time of an action

• He goes to Delhi. (Present Tense)
• She went to Patna. (Past Tense)
• I shall go there. (Future Tense)

Function of Tenses -- State of an action

• I go to school daily (Habitual function)
• She is writing a letter (Progressive function)

The Present Simple Tense

(Think about this paragraph)

"Yes, I like this supermarket. I think It's very nice. Yes, my wife thinks so, too. We always shop here. We come here every week. We live quite near, so it doesn't take long to get here."

Uses of Present simple tense

• This tense is generally used to denote "habit, custom, repeated action, permanent activity, general truth etc.

these ideas are expressed by the adverbs of frequency such as often, seldom, usually, never, normally, generally, sometimes, frequently etc.

            eg.- We always come here.

                   He often helps me.

                   I seldom get up late.

• Sometimes, this tense is used in negative question with 'Why' to make suggestion.

            eg.- Why don't we get out?

                   Why don't you complete this?

• We can use the present simple for the future when we are talking about a time-table, usually a public one.

            eg.- The train leaves at seven twenty-three tomorrow morning

                   The match starts at half-past seven.

                   The new train starts next week.

• We use the present simple for the future after these linking words of time ........

    " After, As, As soon as, Before, By the time, Until, When, While"

            eg.- I am starting a job in sales after I finish college.

                   As soon as you hear any news, will you let me know?

                   I must get to the bank before it closes.

• We also use present simple for the future after 'If' in conditional sentence. but we can use 'will' in the 'If' clause when we make a request.

            eg.- If we hurry, we will catch the bus.

                   If it doesn't rain, we will be having a picnic.

                  If you will just wait a moment, I will find someone to                        help you.

• We sometimes use the present simple in both clauses where one clause always follows automatically from another.

            eg.- If you heat water, it boils.

                   If you press the switch, the computer comes on.

Forms of Present Simple Tense

Positive Form

In the present simple tense, we use the verb without ending but in the third person singular number, the verb ends in 's' or 'es'

            I/We/You/They/Plural - verb without 's' or 'es'

           He/She/It/Singular      - verb with 's' or 'es'

Rules to use 's' or 'es' in the third person singular number

• After " s, sh, ch, and x " we add 'es' (passes, catches, etc.)
• When a verb ends in a "consonant+y", the 'y' changes to 'ies' (hurries, copies, etc.)  
• We don't change 'y' after a vowel. (stays, enjoys, etc.)
• Some verbs ending in 'o' have 'es'. (goes, does, etc.)

Negative and Question forms

We use a form of 'do' or 'does' in negative and question. we use 'do' and 'don't' except in third person singular number, where we use 'does' and 'doesn't'

        I/We/You/They/Plural - 'do' or 'don't'

       He/She/It/Singular      - 'does' or 'doesn't'

*We don't use 's' or 'es' to the verb in negative and question in third person singular number subject.

The Present Continuous Tense

(Read this paragraph)

"Mark? I am at the station. I am waiting for the train. oh, I can hear it. It's coming now."

Uses of Present continuous tense

• The present continuous means that we are in the middle of an action. This tense is normally used for an action in progress that is temporary in the present at the time of speaking.

            eg.- I am getting the lunch ready.

                   It is raining outside.

                  I am waiting for a train.

• We can also use the present continuous when we are in the middle of something but not actually doing it the moment of speaking.

            eg.- I must get back to the office, we are working on a new project.

                  I am quite busy these days, I am doing a course at collage.

• We can use the present continuous when things are changing over a long period.

            eg.- The earth is slowly getting warmer.

                   The number of cars on the road is increasing.

• It also expresses future action or a definite arrangement in the near future.

            eg.- I am going to cinema tomorrow.

                   I am meeting Nancy at six o'clock.

• The present continuous can have a very similar meaning to 'be going to' we do not use 'will' here.

            eg.- I am going to visit my friend at the weekend.

                   I am going to watch the next program.

Forms of Present Continuou Tense

Positive Form

'be + an -ing form

             I                                      - am

            We/You/They/Plural        - are

            He/She/It/Singular          - is

Rules to use '-ing' form

• When a verb ends in 'ie', it changes to 'ying' (dying, lying).
• Sometimes we double a final consonant. This happens when a one syllable verb ends with one vowel and one consonant (winning, putting) but don't double " y, w, or x " (playing, faxing).
• We also don't double when there are two vowels or two consonants (asking, seeming, shouting).
• We also doubling for words of more than one syllable but only if the last syllable is stressed (preferring)

Negative form

We use 'not' after ' is/am/are' in negative sentence, 

             I                                      - am not

            We/You/They/Plural        - are not

            He/She/It/Singular          - is not

Interrogative form

We use 'is/am/are' before the subject to make it interrogative sentence.

*to be continue.......