Tense is a grammatical term in English language which means a form of the verb that is used in a sentence to denote the action and time when it takes place, i.e. in the past, in the present or in the future.

For Example: – 

Walks (Present tense) [verb+s], 

Walked (Past tense) [verb+ed], 

will/shall walk (Future tense) [will/shall+verb]

Tenses Rules

In English grammar there are mainly three types of tenses a) Present Tense, b) Past Tense, and c) Future Tense. Each of these tenses is further divided into four subcategories.

Types of Tenses and their Rules

a) Present Tense:-

The present tense is a grammatical term used for verbs to describe an ongoing, present or current action. The present tense is sub-divided into 4 types-

  • Simple Present Tense or Present Indefinite Tense
  • Present Perfect Tense
  • Present Continuous Tense
  • Present Perfect Continuous Tense

  • Simple Present Tense rules or Present Indefinite Tense rules:-

There are different tense rules for each and every different tense –

  • Subject + V1 (first form of the verb) + Object (Singular)
  • Subject + V1 (first form of the verb) + Object (plural)

Example – The Earth revolves around the Sun.

  • Present Perfect Tense rules:-

There are different tense rules for each and every different tense –

  • Subject + has+ V3 (third form of the verb) + Object (Singular)
  • Subject +have + V3 (third form of the verb) + Object ( Plural)

Example – She has understood the sums.

  • Present Continuous Tense Rules:-

There are different tense rules for each and every different tense –

  • Subject + is/am/are + V1 (first form of the verb) + ing + Object

Examples – I am going to my friend’s house.

  • Present Perfect Continuous Tense Rules:-

There are different tense rules for each and every different tense –

  • Subject + has been + V1 (first form of the verb) + ing + Object (Singular)
  • Subject + have been + V1 (first form of the verb) +ing + Object (Plural)

Examples – I have been trying to solve this sum for 30 minutes.

b) Past Tense –

 Past tense is a grammatical term used for verbs to describe the action or the situation that occurred in the past; maybe a long time ago or somewhat recently. Past tense is sub-divided into 4 types:-

  • Simple Past Tense
  • Past Perfect Tense
  • Past Continuous Tense
  • Past Perfect Continuous Tense

  • Simple Past Tense Rules:-

There are different tense rules for each and every different tense –

  • Subject + V2 (second form of the verb) + Object

Example – I went to Darjeeling last month.

  • Past Perfect Tense Rules:-

There are different tense rules for each and every different tense –

  • Subject + had + V3 (third form of the verb) + Object

Example – She had left the home before we reached there.

  • Past Perfect Continuous Tense Rules:-

There are different tense rules for each and every different tense –

  • Subject + had been + V1 (first form of the verb) +ing + Object

Example – She had been cooking since morning.

  • Past Continuous Tense Rules:-

There are different tense rules for each and every different tense –

  • Subject + was + V1 (first form of the verb) + Object (Singular)
  • Subject + were + V1 (first form of the verb) + Object (Plural)

Example – They were celebrating Rohan’s birthday

c) Future Tense –

The future tense is a grammatical term used for verbs to describe the action or the situation that will occur in the future or that is going to occur after some time. The future tense is sub-divided into 4 types:-

  • Simple Future Tense
  • Future Perfect Tense
  • Future Continuous Tense 
  • Future Perfect Continuous Tense

  • Simple Future Tense Rules:-

      There are different tense rules for each and every different tense –

  • Subject + will be / shall be + V1 (first form of the verb) + Object

Examples – I hope you will do your best in the upcoming exam.

  • Future Perfect Tense Rules:-

  There are different tense rules for each and every different tense –

  • Subject + will have / shall have + V3 (third form of the verb) + Object

Example – She will have taken all your money.

  • Future Continuous Tense Rules:-

        There are different tense rules for each and every different tense –

  • Subject + will be / shall be + ing + V1 (first form of the verb) + Object

Example – I will be arriving by 8’O clock tomorrow.

  • Future Perfect Continuous Tense Rules:-

        There are different tense rules for each and every different tense –

  • Subject + will have been + V1 (first form of the verb) + Object

Example – I will not have been working here from next month.

Conclusion

Tense is a grammatical term in the English language which means a form of a verb that is used in a sentence to denote the action and when that takes place. There are three broad divisions of tenses (Past, Present and Future) including four subcategories (Simple, Continuous, Perfect and Perfect Continuous) of each tense. It is essential to learn about their structure and the proper forms of verbs to use the tense correctly.