Best English Grammar Notes by Top IAS Coaching Center - Tense

1. Best English Notes By Top IAS Coaching Center English grammar sections is important in clearing English language section with a good cutoff. All exams have an average score to clear all sections. English Grammar is a very important section in UPSC and other competitive Examinations. One can score high marks in less time if he/she has a good understanding of Grammar rules and has a rich vocabulary.

2. Best English Notes by Top IAS Coaching Center TENSE Tense is a form of verb which refers to a specific point in the continuous process of time and these specific points are known as past, present and future. • Present tense. • Simple present tense/ Present indefinite tense • Present continuous tense. • Present perfect tense. • Present perfect continuous tense. • Past tense. • Simple past tense/ Past indefinite tense • Past continuous tense. • Past perfect tense. • Past perfect continuous tense. • Future tense. • Simple future tense/ Future indefinite tense • Future continuous tense. • Future perfect tense. • Future perfect continuous tense.

4. Simple present tense/ Present indefinite tense FORMULAE of SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE Sub + V1 + Obj (If the subject is I , we or plural ) (Affirmative sentences) Sub + do not + V1 + Obj (negative sentences) Do + Sub + V1 + Obj ? (interrogative sentences) Sub + V1+ s/es + Obj (If the subject is he, she , it or singular ) (Affirmative sentences) Sub + does not + V1 + Obj (negative sentences) Does + Sub + V1 + Obj ? (interrogative sentences)

5. Find errors if any: • She is dancing everyday. • She is going to London once in every three years. • He is coming here daily. • The earth is revolving around the sun. • A bad workman is always quarrelling with his tools. • A headline in a newspaper,” GST council has set rates for most commodities”. • The sports commentator said, “The ball has gone across the boundary”. • Here has come the taxi ! • There goes she ! • Our PM leaves for Singapore next week. • The movie starts at 6:30 PM. • When do the next train leave for Chennai?

6. Uses of Simple present tense/ Present indefinite tense Following actions are included under this tense - • Habitual Act /Regular actions He comes here daily. She dances. She is dancing everyday. She is going to London once in every three years. b. Universal truth/ Idioms and phrases Plants prepare their own food. The earth revolves around the sun. A bad workman always quarrels with his tools. c. Newspaper headlines/Sports commentary • A headline in a newspaper,” GST council sets rates for most commodities”. • The sports commentator said, “The ball goes across the boundary”.

7. Uses of Simple present tense/ Present indefinite tense Following actions are included under this tense - D. Exclamatory sentences starting with ‘Here’ and ‘There’. • Here comes the taxi ! • There she goes ! E. Used to express planned action of near future which is a part of official programmes or fixed timetable: • Our PM leaves for Singapore next week. • The movie starts at 6:30 PM. • When does the next train leave for Chennai?

8. Find errors if any: • I won’t go out if it will rain. • Let’s wait till he will finish his work. • Can I have some milk before I will go to bed? • Please ring me up as soon as he will arrive.

9. Uses of Simple present tense/ Present indefinite tense Following actions are included under this tense - F. Simple present tense is often used for future time clauses like if, unless, when, while, as, before, after, until, by the time, as soon as. Simple Future tense is not used in such cases. • I won’t go out if it rains. • Let’s wait till he finishes his work. • Can I have some milk before I go to bed? • Please ring me up as soon as he arrives.

10. Simple Past Tense An action which is over is expressed in simple past tense. FORMULAE of SIMPLE PAST TENSE Sub + V2 + Obj (Affirmative sentences) Sub + did not + V1 + Obj (negative sentences) Did + Sub + V1 + Obj ? (interrogative sentences)

11. Find errors if any: • I have completed the work yesterday. • I have seen him two minutes ago. • I had gone to see a doctor the day before yesterday. • She has delivered the order two days ago. • It’s high time you go to bed. • It’s about time you studied. • It’s time to start the work. • It’s time you start the work.

12. Uses of Simple Past tense/ Past indefinite tense Following actions are included under this tense - • If a past time is mentioned in a sentence then the sentence must be in simple past tense and you can’t use present perfect tense or past perfect tense in such sentences. • I completed the work yesterday. • I saw him two minutes ago. • I went to see a doctor the day before yesterday. • She delivered the order two days ago.

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14. Uses of Simple Past tense/ Past indefinite tense Following actions are included under this tense - B. It’s time/It’s high time/It’s about time + V2 If the sentences start with the above mentioned phrase than always use second form of verb in such sentences. • It’s high time you went to bed. • It’s about time you studied. • It’s time you started the work. It’s time/It’s high time/It’s about time + to + V1 If ‘it’s time’ is followed by ‘to’ than first form of verb is used in such sentences. • It’s time to start the work.

15. Fill in the blanks with proper options: • We ____________ football everyday when we were in college. • Used to play • Played • Would play • All of the above. • None of the above.

16. Fill in the blanks with proper options: • We ____________ football everyday when we were in college. • Used to play • Played • Would play • All of the above. • None of the above. Rule: For habitual action in past, simple past tense is used. Also used to + V1 and would + V1 can also be used to show habitual action in past.

17. Simple Future Tense The actions which are not completed yet and which are going to take place in future come under Simple Future Tense. We will come tomorrow. They will study day after tomorrow. FORMULAE of SIMPLE FUTURE TENSE Sub +shall / will + V1 + Obj (Affirmative sentences) Sub + shall / will + not + V1 + Obj (negative sentences) Shall / will + Sub + V1 + Obj ? (interrogative sentences) (Use of shall/will is explained in verb (basics))

18. Simple Future Tense Simple Future Tense is also used to talk about what we think or believe will happen in future. • I think India will win the match. • I am sure Seema will clear her exam. • I expect she will pay heed to my advice. • I believe she will not break my trust. • Probably we will go to the education fair.

19. Present Continuous Tense Incomplete actions or the actions that are going on at this moment come under Present Continuous Tense. I am teaching English now. FORMULAE of PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE Sub +is/am/are + V1 + ing + Obj (affirmative sentences) Sub + is/am/are + not + V1 + ing + Obj (negative sentences) Is/am/are + Sub + V1 + ing + Obj ? (interrogative sentences) Use of IS / AM / ARE Is - HE/SHE/IT/NAME/SINGULAR Am- I Are - YOU/WE/THEY/ALL/PLURAL

20. Find errors if any: • I am currently working on the project. • Presently she works in HCL as an intern. • My father is working in a bank. • I prepare for competitive exam nowadays. • Coastal areas got submerged. • Population increases day by day. • I am going to Mumbai tomorrow. • We are leaving for Canada next week. .

21. Uses of Present Continuous Tense Following actions are included under this tense - • For routine action, simple present tense is used whereas for temporary routine action, present continuous tense is used. • I am currently working on the project. • Presently she is working in HCL as an intern. • My father works in a bank. • I am preparing for competitive exam nowadays. B. Sometimes some events are going on even at the time of speaking, but we cannot see them, they too come under present continuous tense. • Coastal areas are getting submerged. • Population is increasing day by day. C. Present continuous tense is also used for events that will take place in the near future • I am going to Mumbai tomorrow. • We are leaving for Canada next week.

22. Find errors if any: • I am knowing him. • I am loving it. • Trust me, I am believing you word for word. • I am feeling suffocated. • The house is belonging to me. • I am owning a car. • He is preferring tea to coffee. • Children are loving ice cream. • Seeing is believing. • Mosquitoes are capable of seeing at night. • Look! He is smelling the rose. .

23. NOTE We cannot use Present Continuous Tense with stative verbs(Verbs that describe a state of being). Following is the list of stative verbs - 1. Verbs of Perception See, taste, smell, hear, touch, notice, recognize, 2. Verbs of thinking process Think, mean, guess, imagine, mind, know, doubt, remember, prefer, suppose 3. Verbs showing possession Own, have, belong, possess, contain, comprise, consist 4. States of mind/feelings Believe, like, love, hate, pity, despise, dislike, detest, adore want, desire, agree, trust 5. Some other verbs like Seem,appear, affect, resemble, require, look, cost, require, become, hope, refuse

24. EXCEPTIONS: • In gerund and present participle, these verbs are used in ‘ing’ form. • Being ill, I could not come. • Seeing is believing. • Verbs after a preposition can take ‘ing’ form. • Mosquitoes are capable of seeing at night. • When any action i8s expressed in a progressive state, then these words can be used in ‘ing’ form as well. Eg- think, remember, feel, look, appear, smell, etc. • Look! He is smelling the rose. • I am thinking about you. • You are looking good today. • If ‘have’ denotes possession, it is not used in ing form but if it denotes to have fun or eat something then it cn be used in ing form. • I am having a piece of cake. • I am having fun.

25. Past Continuous Tense The actions which were in continuation in past come under Past Continuous tense. She was working on the project when I visited her yesterday. FORMULAE of PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE Sub + was / were + V1 + ing + Obj (Affirmative sentences) Sub + was / were + not + V1 + ing + Obj .(negative sentences) Was / Were + Sub + V1 + ing + Obj ? (interrogative sentences) (Use of shall/will is explained in verb (basics) WAS - HE/SHE/IT/NAME/SINGULAR/I WERE - YOU/WE/THEY/ALL/PLURAL

26. Future Continuous Tense The actions that will be going on in future at some point of time come under Future Continuous Tense. Mike will be running a marathon this Saturday. I will be attending a seminar by this time tomorrow. FORMULAE of FUTURE CONTINUOUS TENSE Sub +shall / will + be + V1 + ing + Obj (Affirmative sentences) Sub + shall / will + not + be + V1 + ing + Obj (negative sentences) Shall / will + Sub + V1 + ing + Obj ? (interrogative sentences)

27. Present Perfect Tense The actions that have recently finished come under Present Perfect Tense. He hasn’t delivered the courier yet. I have completed the work just now. FORMULAE of PRESENT PERFECT TENSE Sub + has/have + V3 + Obj (Affirmative sentences) Sub + has/have + not + V3 + Obj (negative sentences) Has / have + Sub + V3 + Obj ? (interrogative sentences)

28. Uses of Present Perfect Tense Following actions are included under this tense - A. The following adverbs or adverb phrases can also be used in present perfect tense: Just, Never, ever(in questions only), so far, till now, yet(in negative and questions), already, recently, so far, lately, of late, etc He hasn’t delivered the courier yet. I have completed the work just now. NOTE We can write a sentence in both present perfect and simple past tense if the time is not mentioned in the sentence. But if the time of past is mentioned in the sentence than always write that sentence in simple past tense. We have got freedom. (correct) We got freedom. (correct) We got freedom in 1947. (correct) We have got freedom in 1947. (wrong )

29. Find errors if any: • Have you read the Gulliver’s travels”? • Mr. X has gone to Japan. • Gopi ate all the biscuits. I have none now. • I cut my finger. It is bleeding now. • I have been knowing him for a long time. • He has been being ill since last week. • We have been living in this house for five years but we are moving to another house today. .

30. Uses of Present Perfect Tense Following actions are included under this tense - B. To express past actions whose time is not given and not definite. • Have you read the Gulliver’s travels”? • Mr. X has gone to Japan. C. To describe past events when we think more of their effect in the present than of the action itself. • Gopi has eaten all the biscuits. I have none now. • I have cut my finger. It is bleeding now. D. To denote an action beginning at some time in the past and continuing up to the present moment. (often with for and since time clauses) • I have known him for a long time. • He has been ill since last week. • We have lived in this house for five years but we are moving to another house today.

31. Find errors if any: • He didn’t call me since he moved to Australia. • Since he joined that company, he did not go anywhere for outing. .

32. Uses of Present Perfect Tense Following actions are included under this tense - E. When since is followed by Simple Past Tense, Since is preceded by Present Perfect Tense. • He hasn’t called me since he moved to Australia. • Since he joined that company, he has not gone anywhere for outing.

33. Past Perfect Tense The actions that exist in past of past come under Past Perfect Tense. When I visited his house yesterday, he had already left for Delhi. FORMULAE of PAST PERFECT TENSE Sub + had + V3 + Obj (Affirmative sentences) Sub + had + not + V3 + Obj (negative sentences) Had + Sub + V3 + Obj ? (interrogative sentences)

34. Find errors if any: • I saw him before he stopped his car. • Before he understood anything, the robber fled. • I met him after I finished my work. • By the time, I reached the theatre, the show started. • When Amar reached his village, he found that the news about him preceded him. • The doctor arrived before the patient died. • The doctor arrived after the patient died. .

35. Uses of Past Perfect Tense Following actions are included under this tense - NOTE: If two actions take place in the past, one after the other, the 1st action will be in Past Perfect Tense and the 2nd action will be in Simple Past Tense. • I had seen him before he stopped his car. • Before he understood anything, the robber had fled. • I met him after I had finished my work. • By the time, I reached the theatre, the show had started. • When Amar reached his village, he found that the news about him had preceded him. • The doctor had arrived before the patient died. • The doctor arrived after the patient had died.

36. FUTURE PERFECT TENSE The actions that will get completed in future come under future perfect tense. We will have completed the syllabus by the end of this month. By the end of this year, I will have worked here for five years. . FORMULAE of FUTURE PERFECT TENSE Sub +shall / will + have + V3 + Obj (Affirmative sentences) Sub + shall / will + have + V3 + Obj (negative sentences) Shall / will + Sub + have + V3+ Obj ? (interrogative sentences)

37. Find errors if any: • By the time I started the work, they returned from the marriage. • By the time I start the work, they will return from the marriage. .

38. Uses of Future Perfect Tense Following actions are included under this tense - NOTE: If two actions take place in the future, one after the other, the 1st action will be in Future Perfect Tense and the 2nd action will be in Simple Present Tense. By the time i started the work, they had returned from the marriage. (simple past) (past perfect) By the time i start the work, they will have return from the marriage. (simple present) (future perfect)

39. PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE This tense is used for an action which began at some time in the past and is still continuing at the present moment. FORMULAE of PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE Sub + has / have + been + V1 + ing + Obj (Affirmative sentences) Sub + has / have + been + V1 + ing + Obj (negative sentences) Has / have + Sub + been + V1 + ing + Obj ? (interrogative sentences) They have been working on this project since monday .

40. Find errors if any: • He has been sleeping since five hours. • They have been playing for 4 O’clock. • He has worked on this project since Monday. • They have been working here for last six months. • They have been working here since the last six months. • I am working at my present job since the day my child was born. • I have been hoping to get good marks for a long time. • I have been knowing him for five years. • My clothes are so wet as I watered the plants. .

41. USES of PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE • This tense is used with since and for time clauses . FOR - PERIOD OF TIME For three hours For two months For five years SINCE- POINT OF TIME • Calendar • Day- Monday, Tuesday • Dates - 29th june • Year - 2018,2006 • Months - May, June, etc. • Occasion - Christmas, Diwali • Clock - 7 O’clock • Stages of life - Childhood, Teenage • Part of the day - Morning, evening, noon For the last/past five years Since last/past five years NOTE: For or since can be used in both perfect and perfect continuous tenses. .

42. USES of PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE 2. This tense is also sometimes used for an action already finished. In such cases the continuity of the activity is emphasized as an explanation of something. My clothes are so wet as I have been watering the plants. .

43. PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE The actions which are finished in past come under past perfect tense. Generally actions that are taken place in past of past come under past perfect tense. FORMULAE of PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE Sub + had + been + V1 + ing + Obj (Affirmative sentences) Sub + had + been + V1 + ing + Obj (negative sentences) Had + Sub + been + V1 + ing + Obj ? (interrogative sentences) I had been calling you since morning.

44. FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE This tense will cover those actions that continues up to a future point in time . I shall have been teaching english for 2 years by the end of this year. FORMULAE of PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE Sub + had + been + V1 + ing + Obj (Affirmative sentences) Sub + had + been + V1 + ing + Obj (negative sentences) Had + Sub + been + V1 + ing + Obj ? (interrogative sentences) NOTE Certain verbs which are mentioned initially in the chapter that can’t be used in -ing form are also not used in perfect continuous tenses

45. Find errors if any: • If you start this work, he will have informed me. • If you started this work, he will have informed me. • If you had started this work, he will have informed me. • I wish I was a bird. • If he was the PM, he would work for the welfare of society. • If she were me, she wouldn’t tolerate it. • Would that he was in my shoes, he would understand me. .

46. THE ZERO CONDITIONAL: The zero conditional is used for when the time being referred to is now or always and the situation is real and possible. The zero conditional is often used to refer to general truths. The tense in both parts of the sentence is the simple present. In zero conditional sentences, the word "if" can usually be replaced by the word "when" without changing the meaning. Example: • If you heat ice, it melts. • If it rains, the grass gets wet.

47. THE ZERO CONDITIONAL: The zero conditional is used for when the time being referred to is now or always and the situation is real and possible. The zero conditional is often used to refer to general truths. The tense in both parts of the sentence is the simple present. In zero conditional sentences, the word "if" can usually be replaced by the word "when" without changing the meaning. Example: • If you heat ice, it melts. • If it rains, the grass gets wet. • If you freeze water, it becomes solid. • Plants die if they don't get enough water. • If my husband has a cold, I usually catch it. • If public transport is efficient, people stop using their cars. • If you mix red and blue, you get purple. • If Bill calls, tell him to meet me at the cinema. • Ask Pete if you're not sure what to do. • If you want to come, call me before 5:00. The zero conditional is also often used to give instructions, using the imperative in the main clause.

48. TYPE 1 CONDITIONAL The type 1 conditional is used to refer to the present or future where the situation is real. The type 1 conditional refers to a possible condition and its probable result. In these sentences the if clause is in the simple present, and the main clause is in the simple future. EXAMPLES • If it rains, you will get wet. • You will get wet if it rains. • If Sally is late again I will be mad. • I will be mad if Sally is late again. • If you don't hurry, you will miss the bus. • You will miss the bus if you don't hurry. • If you don't drop the gun, I'll shoot! In type 1 conditional sentences, you can also use modals in the main clause instead of the future tense to express the degree of certainty, permission, or a recommendation about the outcome. EXAMPLES • If you drop that glass, it might break. • I may finish that letter if I have time. • If he calls you, you should go. • If you buy my school supplies for me, I will be able to go to the park.

49. TYPE 2 CONDITIONAL The type 2 conditional is used to refer to a time that is now or any time, and a situation that is unreal. These sentences are not based on fact. The type 2 conditional is used to refer to a hypothetical condition and its probable result. In type 2 conditional sentences, the if clause uses the simple past, and the main clause uses the present conditional. EXAMPLES • If it rained, you would get wet. • You would get wet if it rained. • If you went to bed earlier you wouldn't be so tired. • You wouldn't be so tired if you went to bed earlier. • If she fell, she would hurt herself. • She would hurt herself if she fell. • If I were taller, I would buy this dress. • If I were 20, I would travel the world. In type 2 conditional sentences, you can also use modals in the main clause instead of "would" to express the degree of certainty, permission, or a recommendation about the outcome. EXAMPLES • We might buy a larger house if we had more money • He could go to the concert if you gave him your ticket. • If he called me, I wouldn't hear.

50. TYPE 3 CONDITIONAL The type 3 conditional is used to refer to a time that is in the past, and a situation that is contrary to reality. The facts they are based on are the opposite of what is expressed. The type 3 conditional is used to refer to an unreal past condition and its probable past result. In type 3 conditional sentences, the if clause uses the past perfect, and the main clause uses the perfect conditional. EXAMPLES • If it had rained, you would have gotten wet. • You would have gotten wet if it had rained. • You would have passed your exam if you had worked harder. • If you had worked harder, you would have passed your exam. • I would have believed you if you hadn't lied to me before. • If you hadn't lied to me before, I would have believed you. In type 3 conditional sentences, you can also use modals in the main clause instead of "would" to express the degree of certainty, permission, or a recommendation about the outcome. EXAMPLES • If I had worked harder I might have passed the exam. • You could have been on time if you had caught the bus. • If he called you, you could go. • If you bought my school supplies for me, I might be able to go to the park.