UNIT 11 : USES OF TENSES I / UNIT 12 : USES OF TENSES II
Q.1. State the difference between ‘time’ and ‘tense’.
Answer- Time refers to the actual moment in which something happens. Tense, on the other hand, is a grammatical form that indicates the time of an action or event. In English, there are 12 tenses, each of which expresses a different time relationship.
For example, the simple present tense is used to express actions that happen regularly or habitually or to state facts. The present continuous tense is used to express actions that are happening right now or that are ongoing.
Or
The difference between ‘time’ and ‘tense’ lies in their meanings and usage. ‘Time’ refers to the general concept of the chronological order and duration of events, while ‘tense’ is a grammatical concept used to indicate the time of an action or event in relation to the present moment. In other words, ‘time’ refers to the broader concept of when something happens, while ‘tense’ is the grammatical tool used to express the specific time frame of action.
Q.2. How are the Simple Present and Present Continuous verb forms formed? Can you give an example of each?
Answer- The Simple Present tense is formed by using the base form of the verb.
For example:- She reads books every day.
The Present Continuous tense is formed by using the present tense of the verb “to be” (am, is, are) and adding the present participle (-ing form) of the main verb.
For example:- They are watching a movie right now.
Or
The simple present tense is formed by adding no ending to the base form of the verb. For example, the verb “to walk” becomes “walk” in the simple present tense.
The present continuous tense is formed by adding the -ing ending to the base form of the verb and using the auxiliary verb “to be”. For example, the verb “to walk” becomes “walking” in the present continuous tense.
Here are some examples of sentences using the simple present and present continuous tenses:
Simple Present: – I walk to school every day.
Present Continuous: – I am walking to school right now.
Q.3. How are the Present Perfect and Simple Past verb forms formed? Can you give an example of each?
Answer- The Present Perfect tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb “have” or “has” followed by the past participle of the main verb. For example:
– We have visited that museum before.
The Simple Past tense is formed by using the past tense form of the verb. For example:
– He walked to the park yesterday.
Or
The present perfect tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb “to have” and the past participle of the verb. For example, the verb “to walk” becomes “walked” in the past participle form.
The simple past tense is formed by adding -ed to the base form of the verb. For example, the verb “to walk” becomes “walked” in the simple past tense.
Here are some examples of sentences using the present perfect and simple past tenses:
Present Perfect: – I have walked to school every day this week.
Simple Past: – I walked to school yesterday.
Q.4. How are the Past Continuous and Simple Past Tense verb forms formed? Can you give an example of each?
Answer- The past continuous tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb “to be” in the past tense and the -ing ending of the verb. For example, the verb “to walk” becomes “walking” in the past continuous tense.
The simple past tense is formed by adding -ed to the base form of the verb. For example, the verb “to walk” becomes “walked” in the simple past tense.
Here are some examples of sentences using the past continuous and simple past tenses:
Past Continuous: – I was walking to school when I saw a dog.
Simple Past: – I walked to school yesterday.
Or
The Past Continuous tense is formed by using the past tense of the verb “to be” (was, were) and adding the present participle (-ing form) of the main verb.
For example: – She was studying when the phone rang.
The Simple Past tense (also called the past simple) is formed by using the past tense form of the verb.
For example: – They played soccer last weekend.
Q.5. How are the present perfect, past perfect, and past perfect continuous verb forms formed? Can you give an example of each?
Answer- The present perfect tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb “have” or “has” followed by the past participle of the main verb. For example:
– I have studied for the test. (“studied” is the past participle of “study”)
The past perfect tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb “had” followed by the past participle of the main verb. For example:
– She had already eaten dinner when I arrived. (“eaten” is the past participle of “eat”)
The past perfect continuous tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb “had been” followed by the present participle (-ing form) of the main verb. For example:
– They had been playing cricket for two hours before it started raining. (“playing” is the present participle of “play”)
Q.6. Write with an example each about the use of ‘past perfect tense’ and ‘past perfect continuous tense’.
Answer– Here are an example each about the use of ‘past perfect tense’ and ‘past perfect continuous tense’:
Past Perfect Tense
The past perfect tense is used to talk about an action that happened before another action in the past. The past perfect tense is formed by using the past participle of the verb and the auxiliary verb had.
Example: – I had already eaten dinner when you called.
In this sentence, the past perfect tense is used to show that the action of eating dinner happened before the action of you calling.
Past Perfect Continuous Tense
The past perfect continuous tense is used to talk about an action that was happening for a period of time before another action in the past. The past perfect continuous tense is formed by using the past participle of the verb, the auxiliary verb had, and the continuous form of the verb been.
Example: – I had been working on my project for hours when I finally finished it.
In this sentence, the past perfect continuous tense is used to show that the action of working on the project was happening for a period of time before the action of finishing it.
Q.7. What is the difference in meaning expressed by the tenses of the verb in the following pairs of sentences?
(i) (a) He will come tomorrow.
(b) He shall come tomorrow.
Answer- The difference between “will” and “shall” is a matter of formality and emphasis. In modern English, “will” is commonly used for expressing the future, while “shall” is used less frequently and often indicates a stronger intention or obligation. However, the meaning in these sentences is essentially the same.
(ii) (a) I shall buy a car.
(b) I will buy a car.
Answer- Here, the difference between “shall” and “will” is also a matter of formality and emphasis. “Shall” is more commonly used with the first-person pronoun “I” in formal contexts or to indicate a strong determination. “Will” is used more generally for expressing a future action.
Q.8. Discuss future time expressions with relevant examples.
Answer- Future time expressions are words or phrases used to indicate actions or events that will happen in the future. These expressions help us to convey the timing of future occurrences. Here are some common future time expressions along with relevant examples:
1. Tomorrow: I will meet my friend tomorrow.
2. Next week/month/year: She is going on vacation next week.
3. In the future: We will have flying cars in the future.
4. Soon: The concert will start soon.
5. Later: He will finish his homework later.
6. Eventually: They will reach their destination eventually.
7. By the end of: I will have completed the project by the end of the month.
8. In a few hours/days/weeks: They will arrive in a few hours.
9. Next weekend: We are planning a picnic next weekend.
10. Someday: I hope to travel the world someday.
These expressions help to clarify the timing of future events and actions, allowing us to communicate our plans and expectations effectively.
or
Future time expressions are words or phrases that are used to talk about things that will happen in the future. Some common future time expressions include:
- Tomorrow: This expression refers to the day after today. For example, you might say “I have a dentist appointment tomorrow.”
- Next week: This expression refers to the week after the current week. For example, you might say “I’m going on vacation next week.”
- In a month: This expression refers to a month from now. For example, you might say “I’ll be starting my new job in a month.”
- In a year: This expression refers to a year from now. For example, you might say “I’m planning to graduate from college in a year.”
- Soon: This expression refers to a time in the near future, but it is not specific. For example, you might say “I’ll be there soon.”
- Later: This expression refers to a time in the future that is after the present moment. For example, you might say “I’ll finish this report later.”
- Someday: This expression refers to an unspecified time in the future. For example, you might say “I’ve always wanted to travel to Europe someday.”
- One day: This expression is similar to “someday,” but it is more specific. For example, you might say “One day, I’m going to be a doctor.”
Future time expressions can be used with any tense, but they are most commonly used with the simple future tense. The simple future tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb “will” and the base form of the verb. For example, the verb “to go” becomes “will go” in the simple future tense.
Q.9. Correct the verb forms in the following sentences:
- The ship has sank with all hands on board.
Answer– The ship has sunk with all hands on board.
- Research has showed that cycling is good for health.
Answer– Research has shown that cycling is good for health.
- Bullfighting is going on in Spain for centuries.
Answer– Bullfighting has been going on in Spain for centuries.
- He was hung to death.
Answer– He was hanged to death.
- Trees are growing more quickly in summer than in winter.
Answer– Trees grow more quickly in summer than in winter.
- Banks lent money to make a profit.
Answer– Banks lend money to make a profit.
- I have drank from glasses of water.
Answer– I have drunk glasses of water.
Q.10. Rewrite the following sentences using the verbs given in brackets in their correct tense form:
(a) I ……………….. (suffer) from fever for three days.
Answer– I have been suffering from fever for three days.
(b) When Deepa and Rhea came to our house, I ……………….. (watch) the television.
Answer– When Deepa and Rhea came to our house, I was watching the television.
(c) He ……………….. (stay) here until the work is completed.
Answer– He will stay here until the work is completed.
(d) If he ……………….. (come) to me I would have helped him.
Answer– If he had come to me, I would have helped him.
(e) The boy jumped off the train while it ……………….. (move).
Answer– The boy jumped off the train while it was moving.