TENSES
Tenses denote the time of action. They show when the work is done. They are:
(1) Present Tense
(2) Past Tense
(3) Future Tense
They are further divided into:
(1) Simple Present- It is used to denote scientific facts, universal truths and work
done on daily basis.
ASSERTIVE RULE --- sub + V1 + s/es + object
Example – She writes a letter.
NEGATIVE RULE --- sub + does not + v1 + s/es + object
Example – She does not write a letter.
INTERROGATIVE RULE --- Does + sub + v1 + s/es + object
Example – Does she write a letter?
INTERROGATIVE NEGATIVE ASSERTIVE --- Does + sub + not + v1 + s/es + object
=+ Example – Does she not write a letter?
(2) Present Continuous– It is used to express an action taking place at the time
of speaking.
ASSERTIVE RULE --- sub + is/am/are + v1 + ing + object
Example – she is writing a letter.
NEGATIVE RULE --- sub + is/am/are + not + v1 + ing + object
Example – She is not writing a letter.
INTERROGATIVE RULE --- is/am/are + sub + v1 + ing + object
Example – Is she writing a letter?
INTERROGATIVE NEGATIVE RULE --- is/am/are + sub + not + v1 + ing + object
, Example – Is she not writing a letter?
(3) Present Perfect– It is used to show an action that started in the past and has
just finished.
ASSERTIVE RULE --- sub + has/have + v3 + object
Example- She has written a letter.
NEGATIVE RULE --- sub + has/have + not + v3 + object
Example – She has not written a letter.
INTERROGATIVE RULE --- has/have + sub + v3 + object
Example- Has she written a letter?
INTERROGATIVE NEGATIVE RULE ---has/have + sub + not + v3 + object
Example– Has she not written a letter?
(4) Present Perfect Continuous– This tense shows the action which started in
the past and is still continuing.
ASSERTIVE RULE --- sub + has/have + been + v1 + ing + object
Example – She has been writing a letter.
NEGATIVE RULE --- sub + has/have + not been + v1 + ing + object
Example– She has not been writing a letter.
INTERROGATIVE RULE ---has/have + sub + been + v1 + ing + object
Example – Has she been writing a letter?
INTERROGATIVE NEGATIVE RULE --- has/have + she + not + been + v1 + ing + object
Example – Has she not been writing a letter?
Tenses denote the time of action. They show when the work is done. They are:
(1) Present Tense
(2) Past Tense
(3) Future Tense
They are further divided into:
(1) Simple Present- It is used to denote scientific facts, universal truths and work
done on daily basis.
ASSERTIVE RULE --- sub + V1 + s/es + object
Example – She writes a letter.
NEGATIVE RULE --- sub + does not + v1 + s/es + object
Example – She does not write a letter.
INTERROGATIVE RULE --- Does + sub + v1 + s/es + object
Example – Does she write a letter?
INTERROGATIVE NEGATIVE ASSERTIVE --- Does + sub + not + v1 + s/es + object
=+ Example – Does she not write a letter?
(2) Present Continuous– It is used to express an action taking place at the time
of speaking.
ASSERTIVE RULE --- sub + is/am/are + v1 + ing + object
Example – she is writing a letter.
NEGATIVE RULE --- sub + is/am/are + not + v1 + ing + object
Example – She is not writing a letter.
INTERROGATIVE RULE --- is/am/are + sub + v1 + ing + object
Example – Is she writing a letter?
INTERROGATIVE NEGATIVE RULE --- is/am/are + sub + not + v1 + ing + object
, Example – Is she not writing a letter?
(3) Present Perfect– It is used to show an action that started in the past and has
just finished.
ASSERTIVE RULE --- sub + has/have + v3 + object
Example- She has written a letter.
NEGATIVE RULE --- sub + has/have + not + v3 + object
Example – She has not written a letter.
INTERROGATIVE RULE --- has/have + sub + v3 + object
Example- Has she written a letter?
INTERROGATIVE NEGATIVE RULE ---has/have + sub + not + v3 + object
Example– Has she not written a letter?
(4) Present Perfect Continuous– This tense shows the action which started in
the past and is still continuing.
ASSERTIVE RULE --- sub + has/have + been + v1 + ing + object
Example – She has been writing a letter.
NEGATIVE RULE --- sub + has/have + not been + v1 + ing + object
Example– She has not been writing a letter.
INTERROGATIVE RULE ---has/have + sub + been + v1 + ing + object
Example – Has she been writing a letter?
INTERROGATIVE NEGATIVE RULE --- has/have + she + not + been + v1 + ing + object
Example – Has she not been writing a letter?
