By group no. - 1 What are Tenses ? Objective of Tenses In grammar, tense is a category that expresses time reference. Tenses are usually manifested by the use of specific forms of verbs, particularly in their conjugation patterns. Basic tenses found in English include Past Present Future Why tenses is important ? English language has become the dominant language around the world. Since it is also important as a global language of business, it is necessary to develop the effective communication skills of English language. The concept of English verb tenses is very important in establishing effective communication. Hence, if you want to maintain both ways of communication better, that is, speaking and writing, you need to gain mastery over English tenses, because basic tenses of English language will aid you immensely in gaining effective communication skills. Types of Tenses Tenses Past Future Present Past Tense It is a grammatical tense which depicts an action or situation in the past. Examples: She went to the market yesterday. She had eaten her food. She was completing her work. Past tense has three rules categories :- Simple past tense Past continuous tense Past perfect tense Rules for simple past tense Subject + Verb + 'ed' Example : She worked I skipped Rules : For negative and interrogative form of all verbs in the simple past, always use 'did'. Examples: She did not attend the meeting. Did she come to the office? Simple Past Tense The simple past tense is used to talk about a completed action in a time before now. Example : He lived in figi in She played the piano when she was a child. We crossed the channel yesterday. Note : Always use first form of the verb with 'did'. Examples : She did not finish her work. Did they inform you ? Present Tense the present tense is a grammatical tense which locates a situation or event in the current or present time. Examples: our holidays start on march 26,2015, They watch television regularly. She eats fruits in the breakfast. Simple present tense I. To express habits, general truths, repeated actions,emotions etc. Example He drinks tea at breakfast.(habit) Water freezer at zero degree. (general truth) They drive to Monaco every weekend. (repeated action) I.To give instructions or directions Example Open the packet, and pour the contents into hot water You walk two hundred meters,then you turn left. I. To express fixed arrangements, present or future. Example his mother arrives tomorrow. your exam starts at 9:00 am. Simple Future Tense The simple future tense is grammatical tense used to refer a time later then noun and express facts or certainty. To predict future tense. Examples: It will rain tomorrow. We shall not come tomorrow. Forming simple future tense Subject + will/shall + verb Examples: They will eat the food. He will play basket ball. Rules: 'Will' is preferred to 'shall'.Shall is used to make offer, Suggestion or to ask for advise. Examples: Shall I open the window? Shall we go to the cinema tonight? Activity John Cabot to America in 1498.(sail) I .... to the cinema yesterday.(go) You . help him later.(will/shall) He ... tea at breakfast.(drink) His mother ..... tomorrow.(arrive) Water ... at zero degrees.(freeze) I .. call you when I arrive.(will/shall) Shall we go to the cinema tonight? (will/shall)