Tense

           English Grammar For Practice

Practice with Numerous examples, exercises with solutions for ICSE/CBSE students

                                                                     

TENSE

Tense is the time described by a verb.There are three types of basic tense

•  PRESENT
•  PAST
•  FUTURE

 The broader classification of  each tense is given below with suitable examples to make understand how these tense works. Right now we will discuss about Present Tense only.

           Present Simple

This form of tense is used to describe situations or things  that exists now.Below are the examples of Present simple.
1. It takes a lot of time to invent a vaccine for any disease.
2. She plays sitar very well.
3. My hair grows more quickly.
Rule 
We can use present simple also in cases of habits like
1. I work for nearly seven hours a day.
2. Every Monday I go to the temple for prayer.

Present Continuous

This form of tense is applied to a situation when the action or event have started but not ended and is continuing at present. Below are the examples of  Present Continuous Tense:

1. Sita is playing in the garden now.
2. She is spending quality time with her family at present.
3. Mr.Bose is teaching Maths in Kendriya Vidyalaya Ichapore. 

                                  
 Tense Practice Series 1
Fill in the gaps using simple present or present continuous form of the word given in the bracket.

1. I am a bit nervous as I  _______(loose) weight day by day.
2. It is a wonderful moment and I _______(cherish)it every moment.
3. It _____(cost)us to much to afford a four wheeler.
4. People  _____(prefer)to use recycled paper.
5. My brother________(have) a routine check up.

Answers
1. am losing
2. am cherishing
3. costs
4. prefers
5. is having
                        

Present Perfect

When we talk about this form tense, it suggests some kind of connection between what happened in past ,and the present time. The things that had happened in the past will have a relation with the situation at present.Below are the examples:

Examples of Present Perfect

1. I have invested a lot of money in the game so that I may get a good return from it.
2. We can't go with the plans as few people have given their consent in this matter.
3. Research has shown the way to end the pandemic very soon.

When we talk about some actions or events repeated  number of times from past to present...
They have been to London ten times. 

Few Examples on Present Perfect
1. She has never seen such a player.
2. The price of the vegetables has risen so high these days.
3. I have been to Beijing two months ago.
4. We have stayed with our maternal aunts few days back.
5. Few of the members of the family has survived  from the fatal injuries.
6. The bank has agreed to grant a loan after fifteen days.
7. I have never followed my teacher's instructions throughout my school life.  

Present Perfect Continuous

Rule 1: This form of tense is for situations which has started in past and has been in progress for a period until now.

         I have been staying in Mumbai for over a decade.
         The course has been running every year since 1989.

Rule2: It is sometimes used, when we ask some question with How long?         
        

          How long have you been standing here?
          How long have you been staying in Kolkata ?    

Rule3: It is also used in case of recent activity or situation and focuses on its present results.
          

           It has been raining heavily all night.
          
Fill in each of the numbered blanks with correct form of the words given in brackets:
Free Practice

The story is told of a man in China who___0(raise) horses for a _____1(live).When one of his prized horses  was lost, the neighbours _______2(gather) at his home to mourn the great loss.After they _______3(express) their concern, the man said,"How do I know whether what happened is bad or good?God _______4(know) what is best."A couple of days later the runaway horse returned with several wild horses_____5 (follow) close behind. The same acquaintances came again to his house, this time to celebrate his good fortune."but how do I know whether it is good or bad?" said the man."God knows what is better,"the old gentleman told them.That very afternoon the horse kicked the owner's son and broke the young man's leg.Once more the crowd assembled, now ______6(express) their sorrow over the incident."But how do I know if this is bad or good?"."God knows what is best,"the neighbour said again.Well ,only a few days later,war broke out/ The man's son, however,________7(exempt) from military service because of his ________8(break) leg.

Answers
0. raised
1. living
2. gathered
3. expressed
4. knows
5. following
6. expressing
7. was exempted
8. broken