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The present tense is the form of a verb that expresses an action that is happening now or at the time of speaking.Under this Tense there are small parts of the Tense. These are:-(i) The simple present Tense(ii) The present continuous Tense(iii) The present perfect Tense(iv) The present perfect continuous Tense.
(i) The simple present TenseThe main uses of this tense are:-
a) To express state or condition.Examples:-
1. The weather to day is cool (condition)2. She is a good teacher (state)3. I am a doctor (state)4. Today is a sunny day (condition)5. It is very cold in Arusha during winter (condition)
b) To express universal truth.Examples:-
1. The earth rotates on its axis for 24 hours2. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.3. Oil floats on water.4. Spiders have 8 legs.5. Always a cow produces milk
c) To express habitual actionsExamples:-
1. I go to school early every day.2. She always sings nicely3. They visit their uncle every Thursday.4. He usually punishes his pupils quite severely.5. She often dances Rhumba every Sunday.
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d) To make a commentary, especially on the radio where the commentator is perhaps reporting a football match which the listeners cannot see it.
Examples:-……………………. He passes the ball to Kibaden.Kibaden now dribes and then ………………………
e) To introduce quotations.Examples:-1. President Nyerere say: “ Socialism is not racialism”2. Rouseau say: “ Man is born free but every where he is in chains”
In simple present Tense, the third person singular ends in – s or – es.Examples:-
(a) She likes meat(b) He goes to the market every day(c) Jane sings softly.
Again, the words like “do” and “does” are also used in simple present Tense to form questions and negatives.
Examples:-1. Does she go to Church every Sundays?2. Do the pupils read story books every day?3. Juma does not ring the bell every day.4. The boys do not wake up early every day.
NOTE: Do and does as auxiliary verbs are used as indicators to show the simple present tense.For the affirmative (positive) sentence, the indicator of the simple past tense are the forms of “-s” and “es” to the main verbs for the third person singular and the base form of the main verbs for the rest persons.Examples:-
He wakes up early every day. They play volleyball every evening Juma goes to school every day. She writes to her aunt always. We eat rice every Friday night.
Other indicators are the following adverbs. Always, normally, often, usually, ever day etc.
Examples:- She normally dances well. I always go to the cinema every evening. They usually work in the garden every morning
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He always sings attractively.
Halima often cooks nice food. The sun always rises in the east and sets in the west. Always oil floats on water.
More examples on simple present tense.1. Selina r eads a book every time.2. The pupils do their examination often.3. Hidaya goes to school every morning.4. A lion never feeds on grass.5. Violet writes letters to her mother.6. Does Halima sing softly?7. Do you speak English?8. If a piece of iron gets heat, it expands.9. He doesn’t work hard at school.10.Water boils at 1000C
Practice the following sentences.
Change the verbs in the brackets into simple present tense.1. The house girl …………… to the supermarket every weekend (go)2. Usually the sun …………… in the west (sink)3. Halima and Ally …………….. not friend (be)4. Salima cries loudly so …………. Her sister Sharifa (do)5. We sometimes …………… our patient in the hospital (visit)6. Usually the sun ……………. In the west (set)7. My dog is healthy because it ……………. Good food (eat)8. Hamidu …………………. In the garden every day (work)9. Our teacher ………………. Good at language these days (be)10.Rehema ………………… you still alive? (be)11.The mosquito ……………. Us in order to get food (bite)12.Our cow …………………. ten liters of milk every day (produce)13.She ………………. Football on Sundays (play)14.Children always ………………. Playing (like)15.We normally ………………. To school everyday (work)16.Asha usually ……………….. good English (speak)17.Usually, birds ……………….. up to the skies. (fly)18.The formers usually ………….. maize in March every year (plant)19.He seldomly ……………… football in the afternoon. (play)20.The sun always ……………….. in the East (rise)21.A sharp knife usually ………….. meat easily (cut)
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22.Habiba usually …………….. by train, but this weekend she will go by air (travel)23.The sun ………………. From the East and ………… in the west (rise, set)
24.The pupils in our class …………….. always attentive during English lessons (be)25.They normally to school on foot (walk)26.The cat is healthy because it ……………… good food (eat)27.Malaria is …………… by female anopheles mosquito. (cause)28.He sometimes ……………… to watch a film (go)29.Tanzanians ………………… Kiswahili and English (speak)30.Sometimes Juma ………………….. his brother with garden work (help)31.Always Johari ……………….. to school by bicycle (go)32.Seleman’s baby generally …………….. hard when hungry (cry)33.Does Stella ……………… ugali every day? (cook)34.………………. Anna plays everyday? (do)35. It is very difficult to ………………amount Kilimanjaro (climb)36.He usually ………………. Milk on Sunday (drink)37.Every year, the school council ……………… new members (elect)38.Mrs. Baruti usually …………………. To the shamba early in the morning (go)39.Usually we don’t ……………. To school on Saturday (go)40.Water ……………… at O0 degree centigrade (freeze)41.She ………………. Netball every evening (play)42.She ……………….. many things on her head every time (carry)43.Normally Zainabu ………………… back home late (come)44.Mrs Mtui ……………….. her cattle daily (feed)45.They usually ……………… here very late (come)46.He ……………… his wife very much (love)47.Always children ………………… playing hide and seek (like)48.Jenifa ………………… netball every Saturday (play)49.This is meorden cat it …………………. Very fast (run)50.The report is ………………. By Sophia (read)51.These days my young brother …………….. how to read (know)52. I like ……………… ugali with samaki (eat)53.Usually grass is ………………… short to keep mosquitoes away (cut)54.Selina always nocely (dance)55.He usually …………………. Soft bread (bake)
How to answer the questions?Examples:-
1. Q. The school ………………. Very nicely (teach)A. The school teachers very nicely
2. Q. They normally ………………. To church very Sunday (go)A. They normally go to church every Sunday.
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3. Q. Jane always ………………. In the church every evening (sing)A. Jane always sings in the church every evening.
4. Q. Mr. Jack normally ………………… carefully.A. Mr. Jack normally drives carefully.
5. Q. Juma and I usually ………………. To school every day (walk)A. Juma and I usually walk to school every day.
(ii) THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE. (Present progressive) Tense
In this tense, the words like “is” and “are” are used as auxiliary / helping verbs.‘Is’ is used for singular sentences while ‘are’ is for plural sentences. The main verb in present continuous tense ends in – ing.Examples:-
a) She is singing now.b) They are dancing at present.
Some adverbs like now, at present, at the moment, this time are used too.The main uses of this tense – are:
a) To indicate an activity of some duration which is taking place at this moment?Examples:-
1. He is writing an essay now.2. They are playing football at the moment3. At present the boys are learning French.4. Is she cooking food now?5. You are not doing my work now.
b) To indicate habitual activity that is repetitive, often which annoys the speaker or seems unreasonable to him?Examples:-
1. He is always making a noise2. My car is always breaking down.3. Thomas is always coming to school late4. Are you normally, playing foot ball?5. They are not always playing piano.
c) To indicate a definite arrangement in the near future.Examples:-
1. I am leaving for home tonight (this would almost certainly suggest that I am definitely going home)
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2. He is flying tomorrow (this would almost certainly suggest that he has already got the ticket and other travel documents)
3. Tom is going to the show this morning (this would almost certainly suggest that Tom has already made up his mind to go to the show and is thus definitely going)
In the present continuous tense, the ing- form of the main verb as it is mentioned is always used.
Examples:-1. He is reading a book.2. She is trying to write a story book.3. Musa is washing his clothes.
NOTE:- There are some words which are used as indicators. They indicate the present continuous tense.
These are adverbs of time.Eg. Now, at present, at the moment.
More examples on present continuous tense.Answer the following questions.
1. The playears of samba sports club …………… for a friendly match now. (prepare)
2. Pupils ……………… out side at the moment (play)3. Dr. Malulu …………….. the patient at the moment (treat)4. Jane ……………. Swimming now (be)5. My mother is ……………………. Rice for the family now (cook)6. John is …………………….. on the floor now (sleep)7. The order pupils ………………….. the villagers at present (help)8. Mr. Tibe is …………………… the cows now (feed)9. Ashura ……………… math’s at present (do)10.We …………………earning tenses. (be)11.The farmers ……………….. in the garden now (be)12.Mr. Adam, the headmaster ……………………. A news paper now (read)13.The guests ……………………… for lunch now (prepare)14.James …………………. Near the house with his friends now (play)15.The pupils ………………… their books at the moment (read)16.Our prefects ………………… football now (play)17.John ……………….. going to school now (go)18.The school pupils …………….. football at the moment (play)19.The workmen ………………. In the farm at the moment (work)20.We are ……………….. English lesson at present (learn)
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21.Juma …………………. An interesting story book now (read)22.The pupils …………………… studying hard for the next examination (be)
23.She…………………… a book at the moment (read)24. Is the baby ……………….. ? (sleep)25.They ………………. Some rice now (eat)26.The teachers ………………… the new pupils at the moment (receive)27.We …………… the comedy show on TV now (watch)28.The pupils ……………….. now writing their midterm test (be)29.………………. You writing the home work at the moment? (be)30.………………. I allowed leaving the place now? (be)
Examples on how to answer the questions.1. Q. …………. Mr. Mwakasonda, the head master in his office now? (be)
A. Is Mr. Mwakasonda, the head master in his office now?
2. My Father and Mother …………. news papers at the moment (read)A. My Father and Mother are reading news papers at the moment.
3. Q. Annastella is ……………… songs in the church now. (sing)
A. Annastella is singing songs in the church now.
4. Q. I………………….. playing volleyball now. (be)A. I am playing volleyball now.
5. Q. The pupils ……………….. the classroom at the moment (sweep)A. The pupils are sweeping the classroom at the moment.
(iii) THE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE
This tense has the main uses.a) It tells us that an action has now competed.
Examples:-i. I have finished the work.ii. He has done the sum.
b) It tells us that an action has begun in the past and continued up to the moment. In other words, the tense has relevance to the present time.Examples:-
i. She has lived here for three yearsii. We have stayed in this house for six months.
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c) It tells us that an action has taken place in the past but the time is not given and not definite.Examples:-
i. A have read the book but I do not like it.ii. Have you had supper? No, I haven’t had it yet.
In present perfect the auxiliary/ helping verbs like have/ has are used.‘have’ is for 1st person, second person and third person plural.‘has’ goes with third person singular.
NOTE:- in this tense, the main verb should be in past participle form as it is shown here under.
Present Past participle
Go GoneCook CookedSing SungSweep SweptTake TakenCut CutPut PutWrite WrittenEat Eaten
1. The main verbs in the present perfect tense must be preceded by the auxiliary/ helping verb i.e have, has.
Eg. She has sung two songs.
aux v. m. verb
Hajara and Amida have swept the classroom. aux v. m. verb
2. In a question form, the auxiliary must come first to begin a sentence.Eg.
Have you seen Mr. Jarome? aux v. m. verb
Have you ever been to school? aux v. m. verb
Has Jane already left for London? aux v. m. verb
Have the pupils done their home work? aux v. m. verb
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Has the head master bought any text books?aux v. m. verb
More examples on present perfect tense.1. My family has ……………. In that town for many years (live)2. I ………………… you since 2003 (know)3. She ……………… him since 1999 (know)4. Samba sports club captain …………… the East and central real African
challenge cup (receive)
5. We ……………. Arrived in Nairobi at 10:00 pm (have / has)6. “ Asha, have you …………… your school uniforms? “ Her mother asked (wash)7. My uncle ………………. Me the car he bought (slow)8. The pupils have just ……………… break fast (eat)9. Have you ever ……………… Lake Victoria? (see)10.The learning swimmers have just …………… up to the lake shore (swim)11.James and Rose …………………… done the examination well (have / has)12.The two ships have just …………….. the habour (leave)13.Have you ………..? (eat)14.The pupils have …………… their exercise books (take)15.All the farmers have ……………. Their maize crop (harvest)16.………………. She completed James work? 17.He has …………… your book (take)18.Saada and Hamis have just ……………. To school (go)19.Mwajuma has just ……………… from town (come)20.They ………………… eaten their food. (have just / has just)21.They have already …………… two cups this morning (break)22.Sammy ……………. Never seen a monkey before (have/ has)23.They have …………… a mistake (make)24.Have you …………….. him since January? (see)25.Both the son and the daughter …………….. the presents (have/ has)
Examples on how to answer the questions on present perfect tense.1. Q. They have ……………… their lunch (take)
A. They have taken their lunch.
2. Q. Pili and Rogers haven’t ………….. yet. (get married)A. Pili and Rogers haven’t got married yet
3. Q. How many songs ………….. she sung? (have / has)A. How many songs has she sung?
4. Q. Have you ……………. A letter to your aunt?A. Have you written a letter to your aunt?
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5. Q. ………….. she cooked nice food? (have / has)A. Has she cooked nice food?
(iv) THE PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE.
This tense is used to indicate an activity which has begun in the past but is still going on or has only just finished.Examples:-
a) He has just been disturbing us all the time.b) They have been looking after our cattle.c) He has just been reading story books.
Frequently, the present perfect continuous tense suggests an especially recent activity.Examples.
1. It has just been raining2. The wind has just been blowing3. The boys have just been talking.
A repeated action in the simple present perfect can sometimes be expressed as a continuous action by the present perfect continuous.
I have written two letters since lunch. (present perfect)I have been writing two letters since lunch (present perfect continuous)
They have blamed you to day (present perfectThey have been blaming you today. (Present perfect continuous)
In present perfect continuous tense the verb have/ has is followed by “been” and “ing” form of the main verb.Eg.
They have been singing in the church. aux.v been + m.verb
He has been teaching since morning aux.v been + m.verb
Halima has been working in her garden aux.v been + m.verb
The pupils have been studying hard aux.v been + m.verb
Who has been shouting out side? aux.v been + m.verb
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More examples on present perfect continuous tense.
1. For how long have the children been ………….? (play)2. The men have ………… since this morning (sing)3. The girls …………… been singing since this morning (have/ has)4. They girls ………….. been in Morogoro since 1999 (live)5. I have …………… playing pool table for two hours (be)6. Honoratha has been …………… at Keko Magrumbasi for three years now (live)7. “ We have been …………… for you” my parents told me (wait)8. They have ……………… in this house since 1990 (stay)9. The pupils in our class……………. Learning English since 8:00 o’clock (have/
has)10.We have been ………………… for two hours (sing)11.She ……………. Working all the evening (have / has)12.They have been ………………… their home work since after noon (do)13.She has been …………….. in this house since 1980 (stay)14.Jane ……………….. writing letters since this morning (have/ has)15.The bushmen in Kalahari desert have …………… there for about ten centuries
now (live)16.The girl ……………. Been living in Mwanza for four years (have/ has)17.We have been …………… English since last year (learn)18.Muzne and Zena ……………. Waiting since early in the morning (have/ has)19.The boy ……………….. living in Dar es Salaam for three years 20.They have been ………….. for almost an hour now (work)21.Mr. Jimmy …………….. been teaching in this school for more than ten years.
(have / has)22. I have been ……………… since 2005 (study)23. It has been ……………… behind the house (graze).24.Has she …………….. through the day? (read)25.Have you been …………….. in that pond? (swim)26.We have ………………. Eating our lunch for half an hour (be)27.The women have ……………… since this morning (sing)28.The boy has ………………. Since noon (play)29.They have ……………….. TV for four hours (watch)30.Daud hasn’t been ………….. since morning (work)
More examples on how to answer question on present perfect continuous tense.1. Has he …………. The examination since morning? (do)
Has he been doing the examination since morning?
2. We have been ……………. For two hours now (dance)We have been dancing for two hours now.
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3. John ………….. writing a letter to his brother for almost an hour. (have/ has)John has been writing a letter to his brother for almost an hour.
4. Selina and Fatuma ……………. Been playing since 10 o’clock (have/ has)Selina and Fatuma have been playing since 10 o’clock.
5. They haven’t been ……………. To the teacher from the beginning of the lesson. (listen)
6. They haven’t been listening too the teacher from the beginning of the lesson.
(i) THE SIMPLE PAST TENSEThe simple past tense is used to indicate a past activity which has no connecting with the present. The past activity can occur in the following ways.
1. For a past action when the time is given.Examples:-
a) I saw him last monthb) The boys stored the mad man yesterday.
2. For a past action when the time is asked about.Examples:-
a) When did you see her?b) When did you explain the story to her?
3. For a past action which took place at a definite time even though this time is not mentioned.Examples:-a) The slip was lateb) I bought the bicycle in Kenya.
This tense is associated with certain adverbs, adverbial group and clauses- like:- yesterday, last week ect.Examples:-
a) They met him yesterday b) I visited her last weekc) They greeted us when we passed them last Tuesday.
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The simple past tense can also be used to express habitual action/ activity in the past where by “used to “ is used being followed by the base from of the main verb.Examples:-
a) I used to speak French when I was at school.b) When she was young, she used to dance Rhumbec) They used to play football on Sundays evening.
In simple past tense, “did” is used as an indicator.It is an auxiliary verb normally used to form questions and negative sentences in the simple past tense.Eg.
Did you see an acroplane yesterday? (question) When did Selina go to Moshi? (question) He did not go to school yesterday. (negative) I did not see him (negative) They did not work hard yesterday (negative)
Other indicators of the simple past tense are words like:- yesterday, last week, last month, last year.Eg.
I met with my friend at the market yesterday. They went to Kilimanjaro last week. We did the graduation last month Last year , the rain didn’t rain sufficiently.
For the affirmative (positive ) sentences, the indicator of the simple past tense is the past tense form of the main verb.Eg.
He came here yesterday song main verb
They sang a nice song main verb
She danced well main verb
Anna spoke diligently main verb
She gave us good advice main verb
Note: If “did” is used, the main verb must be in a base form.Eg.
Did I tell you anything about our school? main verb
She did not take your pen. main verb
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How to answer the questions on simple past tense.1. Jamida always ……….. to bed early because she had to go to school every
morning (go)2. I ……………. An egg for 300 yesterday at the market (buy)3. Last Friday Amina …………. To school very late (come)4. Haruna ………….. a way from the snake (run)5. The girl ……………. Herself with a sharp knife yesterday (cut)6. They used to ……………… their grand parent in every weekends (visit)7. Did you ……………… to him yesterday? (talk)8. Before she ……………… to the cinema, she ……………… ugali ( go, cook)9. Did you ………………. Her questions yesterday? (ask)10.He ………………….. them when they were going to school (see)11.Before he ……………the place, all had gone (reach)12.We …………….. to crow and roll in the forest (use)13.Did you …………….. Anna yesterday? (Meet)14.When I ……………….. the room, the cat had already ……………the milk (enter,
drink)15.The teacher ……………. Us to wash ourselves (tell)16.She …………….. a stone through the window (throw)17.He …………… them to keep quiet (order)18.The teacher ……………. The pupils to come early last week (tell)19.Boys didn’t ……………. Football two weeks ago (play)20.Our school team …………….. the match last week (win)21.He ……………. For Morogoro yesterday (leave)22.The frog ………………. Into the river yesterday (jump)23.Last Christmas my mother ……………. Me a new shirt (buy)24.Who ……………… you talk to yesterday? (do)25.The boy whose father ………….. last week is my uncle (come)26.The formers ……………….. not get good harnest last year. (do)27.The dog ………………. A cat but it …………….. not catch it (chase, do)28. ……………… you talk to him yesterday? (do)29.Before he …………. To the shamba, he cooked ugali (go)30. I ………………….. to the place where Pope John Paul II was born (go)31.Rose ……………….. a song at the choir festival (sing)32.The teacher ……………… his pen on the table some one must have taken it
(leave).33.The oil man was ……………… of theft (accuse)34.Our teacher ………………. Us the progress man has (teach)35.Peter ……………… for his goat but he couldn’t find it (look)36.The policeman chased the thief but he ……………… not catch him (can)37.Mary ……………. A new dress on her wedding day three years a go (wear)38.He ……………….. the ball at me (throw)
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39.The teacher who ……………… us English last year has been transferred. (teach)40.Njiko ……………… your oil mug last week (break)41.Our Excellency president Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete …………. His people to work
hard (advise)42. I …………… him if he can help with my home work, but he said that he couldn’t
(ask)43.When I …………… home, I ……………… that my son had broken a window.
(arrive, discover)44.We used to …………….. hard working pupils. (congratulate)45.…………….. John …………… a letter from his cousin last week? (be, receive)46.The news they ……………. Yesterday …………… good (hear, be)47.When the teacher …………….. in yesterday, we …………… him (come, greet) 48.He ……………… his leg two days ago (break)49.The door ……………… by my brother yesterday (be, open)50.Eight years ago Jamila ………….. five years old (be)51.Tizihwa ………………. A very big house last years old (be)52. I ………………… the first president of our country when I ………….. still very
young (see, be)53.The Taifa stars ……………… the East Africa challenge cup some years ago
(win)54.Hawa …………… the questions which the teacher ………….. on the black board
(answer, write).55.The boys ………….. themselves in the mirror and ………….. they …….. so dusty
yesterday (see, laugh, be)56.David his friend ………… to the zoo last week to see the monkeys (go)57.The visitors ………………. All the food because they …………. Very hungry (eat,
be)58.Last year we …………. In standard six, but now we are in standard seven. (be)59.Ten years ago Johari ………….. ten years old (be)60.Mwasit ……… off the bus when it ………….. crossing the bridge (jump, be)61.………….. Cathy ………… to her sister last week? (write)62.The ………….. a policeman on duty at the police station when we ………… there
yesterday (be arrive)63.Last week, her mother …………. School fees (pay)64.He ……………… to school although it ………….. raining (go, be)65.Mr. and Mrs. John ………….. in the form yesterday (work)66.Doctor Suleiman …………… his patient very well last year (treat)67.Richard …………… at himself in the mirrow yesterday. (look)68.The letter to the district education officer ……………. In English (be, write)69.The boys …………….. not ……………. Football two weeks ago (do, play)70.They …………… elephants when they ………….. the national Park last season
(see, visit)
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71.Where …………. The match ……………. Place last week (do, take)72.Last Saturday Amina …………… at 8:15 p.m (sleep)73.Bakari and his mother …………. Mzee Maganga last Sunday (visit)74.…………. Your niece …………… you a visit two days a go? (do, pay)75.…………. The letter ………….. by the teacher yesterday? (be, post)76.Although he sick he …………. To the church (be, go)77.The farmers …………… very ………….. when they ……… that there ………..
very little rain last month. (be, worry, hear, be)78.Our teacher couldn’t ………….. the thief (see)79.She …………… my book in her school bag last week (hide)80.Yesterday I …………….. Suzan riding he new bicycle (meet)81.Kikwete …………… here last week (come)82.Yesterday the children ………….. thought the day (play)83.The boys ………… their shoes last Saturday (wash)84.A lot of pupils ……………. Money for lunch (contribute)85.The match …………. At 3: 30 yesterday (begin)86.The players …………… as busy as been yesterday during the match (be)87.Fifteen years ago Lisa ………….. still very young (be)88.My father …………… a sleep after eating his lunch yesterday day (feel)89.The sun as he …………….. to the bus stand yesterday …………..(rise)90.Mr. Machemba ………. To Mwanza last week (go)91.Mr. Kiango ……………. His house for two years (build)92.They used to ………….. to school early in the morning (come)93.The policeman ……………… the boy to bring his bicycle (order)94.…………….. you …………….. an aeroplane flying in the sky yesterday? (do, see)95.Mura …………… the story last month (read)96.Last year John …………… fifty years old (be)97.Abdi and Asha …………….. volleyball yesterday (play)98.This is the girl whose mother ………….. to see the head master yesterday
(come) 99.They …………….. on the form through the day yesterday (be)
100. He used to ……… the chicken every evening (count)101. They ……….. to know where I living two years ago (want, be)102. We …………. Ourselves at the party last Sunday (enjoy)103. Neema …………….. a letter to her brother last week (write)104. Ashura …………….. with her friend Rehema two months ago (meet)105. I ………………… busy the day before (be)106. Jane …………… the toilets early in the morning last Friday (clean)107. The teacher …………….. the boys playing football in the classroom yesterday (see)108. The policeman ………….. the thief in the leg yesterday (shoot)109…………… Rajabu ……….. here yesterday? (do. Come)110. Our grandmother …………… in 1920’s (be, born)
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111. The medicine ……………. Not …………. Sufficiently (be, shake)112. Where ………….. the conference take place last year? (do)113. Each of the pupils …………… a permission for a trip last year (be, give)114. We …………. Not any thing at the party yesterday (do, eat)115. The glass ……………… by Jane yesterday (be, break)116. The letter …………….. ten day ago (be, post)117. Why ……………. You …………… into the hotel yesterday? (do, go)118. Jakaya Kikwete ……………. Present of Tanzania in 2005 (be, elect)119. The bread ……………… nicely yesterday (be, bake)120. He …………… to much alcohol yesterday (drink)
Examples on how to answer questions in simple past tense.
1. Q. …………… you …………… the M.V.Victoria yesterday? (do, see)A. Did you see the M.V.Victoria yesterday?
2. Q. The food we …………… yesterday ……………… nice (eat, be)A. The food we ate yesterday was nice.
3. Q. The teacher ………….. a new van last month (buy)A. The teacher bought a new van last month.
4. Q. Juma …………… a brown suit during wedding ceremony yesterday.A. Juma wore a brown suit during wedding ceremony yesterday.
5. Q. The house …………… blue (be, paint)A. the house was painted blue.
(ii) The past continuous Tense
Like the simple past the past continuous has also no connection with the present tense. The main use of this tense are:-
1. To describe an activity which was going on when another one took place?Examples:-
a) I was writing when he came to see me.b) Hhmed was standing when we entered the roomc) They were singing when the bell rang.
2. To indicate that an activity was started but was not finished.Examples:-
a) I was painting the table this morningb) They were packing the things this afternoon.c) He was reading this morning.
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3. To indicate that the two activities were taking place simultaneously (all the same time)
Examples:-a) He was writing while she was readingb) They were jumping while we were runningc) I was washing my clothes while he was cleaning the room.
4. To indicate disapproval by using certain adverbs.Examples:-
a) It was raining continuouslyb) She was always borrowing moneyc) You were always disturbing me.
5. To indicate that an activity was continuous over a certain period.Examples:-
a) I was resting all morningb) The father was harvesting all dayc) The father was shouting all afternoon, yesterday.
NOTE:- The indicators of this tense are: “was”, “were” as auxiliary verbs, and the “ing” form of the main verb.Eg:-
She was not singing aux v. m. verb
They were playing football aux v. m. verb
Were the pupils studying when the teacher came? aux v. m. verb
Was she cooking rice yesterday? aux v. m. verb
Was the rain raining when the bell rang yesterday? aux v. m. verb
A was not playing when the teacher called me. aux v. m. verb
More examples on past continuous tense.1. When they arrived at home, their father …………. A cow (be, milk)2. Baraka was …………… to school when he saw the snake along the road . (go)3. I was ………… to school when it raining (go, start)
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4. Irene …………. To school yesterday (be, go)5. She ………….. them when they …………… going to school (see, be)6. While the girls …………… the boys were playing (be, cook)7. While they were ……………. To Dodoma, the …………… many buses. (drive,
pass)8. Mariam and I …………….. in the field when the visitor arrived (be, work)9. She ……………. Loudly while she was running (be, cry)10.My mother was …………… when I at home (cook, arrive)11.She ……………. Cooking when her mother ………… the room (be, enter) 12.………………. The girl ………….. when the visitors arrived? (be dance)13.We ……………. Writing when the head teacher entered (be)14.When Maganga …………….. Masalu ran away (be, cry, run)15. I was …………….. a book when my teacher ………….. (read, come)16.Maurine ……………… for her lost ring all the day yesterday (be, look)17.The cat …………….. by the was ……………. It self (be, sit), clean)18.She …………….. heavily while she …………… , (breathe, be, run)19.John and I …………. Playing football when the bell …………… yesterday (be,
ring)20.The pupils were ……………. When the ……………… (make, enter)21.Selina and Rwechungura ……………. Volleyball yesterday (be, play)22.They ………………. On the farm yesterday evening (be, work)23.The pupils were …………… a song before they …………… lessons (sing, start)24.We …………… the comedy shows a TV yesterday when he …………… (be,
watch, come)25.When I ……………… to school yesterday I …………. a snake (be, walk, see)
How to answer questions on past continuous tense.1. Q. When she …………. Jane was playing (be, cook)
A. When she was cooking, Jane was playing.
2. Q. He was singing while I …………… reading (be, read)A. He was singing while I was reading.
3. Q. ……………. Tatu studying when the teacher …………..? (be, enter)A. Was Tatu studying when the teacher entered?
4. Q. Were the pupils …………… when the bell …………… yesterday? A. Were the pupils working when the bell rang?
5. Q. Halima was dancing while Selina was …………….. (sing)A. Halima was dancing while Selina was singing.
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(iii) THE PAST PERFECT TENSEPast perfect describes an activity completed at some point in the past before another one was begun.Examples:-
a) I had the story book before he come.b) They had completed the work before it started to rainc) After she had come from school, I ate my lunch.
This tense is formed with had and the past participle of the main verb. It is there fore the same for all persons. (“had” is used by all persons) it is used as an auxiliary verb.Examples:-
a) I had worked everydayb) He had visited the placec) They had not helped the beggard) You had blamed her for nothinge) We had sung a nice song.
(iv) The past perfect continuous tense.This tense is used to indicate an activity which occurred in the past before another activity took place and that original activity continued for sometime or stopped before the new activity.Example:-
a) It had been raining before you cameb) They had been visiting me for many years before she came.c) In 1945, my uncle had been living in Arusha for three years.
The past perfect continuous tense can be used to show a repeated action.Examples:-
a) He had tried to advice her on the projectb) He had been trying to advise her on the project.
In example: (a) The action may have occurred only once. In example(b) The use of the continuous tense shows that the action was repeated
several times.More examples on past perfect tense.
1. When I arrived home, I ………… that my son had the window (discover, break)2. She would have ………….. the exam if she had ………….. hard (pass, work)3. They had already …………. When the bell rang (arrive)4. They had the work before it started raining ( complete)5. After they had thanked the general Manager in his office they ………. (leave)6. Thereza had …………. For an hour before we ………….. (work, arrive)7. He …………… finished the exercise when the bell (have, ring)
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8. When you arrived, she had already ………….. away (go)9. Before he had …………… I was washing my uniforms (come)10.After he had ………….. the window he …………… a way (break, run)11.After we had dinner, we ………….. out for a walk (go)12.……………. a crowd of men after I had ………….. at the station (see, arrive)13.The football match had come to an end before I ……………………. The ground.
(reach)14.Before he arrived, I had …………… the house (leave)15.Before I ……………….. here, I had ……………. Twice visited my uncle (come,
visit)16.After I had …………… my work I ………….. to town (finish, go)17.The fine had …………. Put out before the fine men …………… at the event (be,
arrive)18.The teacher ……………. Angry because the boys had not ………… their
responsibilities (be, learn)19.After he had …………… reading the book, he …………… to the swimming poor
(finish, go)20.Before it …………… to rain, I had reached home (begin)21.After he had …………… the sad news, he …………….. to cry (learn, begin)22.After the game had ……………, the crowd ……………. The stadium (end, leave)23.He had waited for half an hour before the teacher ………… them to leave the
place (tell)24.The bell had already …………. When we ………….. at school (ring, arrive)25. I had not yet …………… writing my letter when I …………. The bell. (finish, hear)26.Before Napoleon ……………… Russia, he had already ……….. many soldiers
(leave, loose)27.The moon had just ……………… when it …………… to train (rise, begin)28.The teacher had just …………… the room when the boys.29.He had not yet recovered from illness when he ………… to school (return)30.Had he ……………. To the cinema before he …………… with you last week?
(be, go)31.Had you ever …………… poetry in English before this week? (read)32.Had you …………….. your work well before you ………….. the class room?
(prepare, enter)33.Had it already …………… before you …………. Your home? (rain, reach)34.Had the lesson just ……………. When you entered the room? (begin)35.Had you not yet finished your dinner when your brother ……….. ? (return)36.He had just …………… to bad when he …………… a nock at the door. (go, hear)37. I ……………… a big ship last week I had never ………….. one before (see, see)38.The headmaster had …………. To let me leave the school as I ………… absent
for two days before (effuse, be)39.Yesterday I ……………. A new watch as my old on had been ………….. (buy,
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40.Had you just …………….. up when the sun …………….. (get, rise)
How to answer questions on past perfect tense.1. The city had …………… taken before help ………….. (be, arrive)
The city had been taken before before help arrived.2. American had not yet been …………….. when Ferdinand became king of spain
(discover)American had not yet been discovered when Ferdinand became King of Spain.
3. My brother …………… me that he had never ………… so hard before (tell, work)My brother told me that he had never worked so had before.
4. Had you ever ………… to the seaside before you …………. With me yesterday? (be, go)Had you ever been to the seaside before you went with me yesterday?
5. After had ………….. his story, the boys ………… their hands (tell, clap)After he had told his story, the boy clapped their hands.
More examples on past perfect continuous tense.1. It had ………………. since morning (be, rain)2. They had …………me before they ……………. Back home. (be, visit, go)3. Jane had been ……………. for two hours (sing)4. Had he been playing cards before we …………….. there? (arrive)5. You had been ………….. since your youth (sing)6. She had ……………. In Nairobi for ten years (be, live)7. He had been ………….. milk for half an hour (take)8. Selina had been ……………. Before the light ………… out (read, go)9. Said had …………. trying to give the real information (be)10.The sun had …………. Before it ………….. (be, shine, rain)11.He was exhausted because he had ………….. had …………. For a long time (be,
drive)12. It had …………… before you came (be, rain)13.They had …………… me for many years before she came (be, visit)14. In 1980, my uncle had ……………. In Arusha for three years (be, live)15. It had …………….. for several times before dawn (be, bark)16.For two years, the school team had been ………….. in football matcher (lead)17.Julius had …………….. studying hard before the annual examination (be, study)18.They had ……………… been ………… for two hours before leaving for Lonond
(wait)19.The pupils had …………… before the teacher came. (be, shout)20. I had been ……………….. him since early in the morning (call)21.The teacher had been ……………. for 3 hours before rain (teach)22.Juma had ……………. the house before his wedding, ceremony (be, paint)23.When it was raining, Selina had already …………………..
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24.When the rain ……………… the formers had been cultivating their farms for two months ago. (start) - When the rain started, the formers had been cultivating for two months ago
25.The ball had been ……………. several times before lunch.
How to answer questions on past perfect continuous tense.1. They had been …………… the class room before the teacher came. (sweep)
They had been sweeping the classroom before the teacher came.2. He had ………….. writing to her mother before he for abroad (be, leave)
He had been writing to her mother before he left for abroad.3. She had ……………. for several hours before the visitors came. (be, cook)
She had been cooking for several hours before the visitors came.4. The farmers had been ………………. their farms before raining (cultivate)
The farmers had been cultivating their forms before raining 5. When the bus ……………. the passengers had been ……………. For two hours.
(arrive, wait)
(i) THE SIMPLE FUTURE.This tense is used to refer to an activity that will take place soon or latter on. Actually, there are a number of ways of expressing this futurity as shown below.1. By using certain auxiliaries.
Examples:-a) I shall go there next weekb) He will arrive here to dayc) I may meet him tomorrow
2. By using be going + infinitive.Examples:-
a) I am going to see him tomorrow.b) They are going to arrive here after half an hourc) We are going to visit them very soon.
(ii) THE FUTURE CONTINUOUSThe main uses of this tense are as follows:-
1. To describe an activity in progress at some future time.Examples:-
a) Shall be suing you tomorrow.b) They will be waiting for us here for half an hour.
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2. To indicate that an activity has been planned for the futureExamples:-
a) We shall be doing the tests tomorrow.b) The prime Minister will visit Ujamaa villages next week.
This tense is very similar to the present continuous, but differs from it in the following points.
The present continuous tense suggests an action which will occur in the normal course of events. It is there fore less definite and more casual than the present continuous.Let us see these examples:-
I am seeing Juma tomorrow I will be seeing Juma tomorrow.
The first suggests that Juma or the speaker has deliberately arranged the meeting, but the second suggests that Juma and the speaker will meet in the ordinary course of events .The structure of future continuous is shall/ will + be + ing of the main berb.
(iii) THE FUTURE PERFECTThis tense is used for an action which at a given future time will be in the past. It is always used with a time expression.Examples:-
a) I shall have read those story books by tomorrow.b) They will have swept the room by six o’clock.
The structure of future perfect tense is shall / will + have + past participle of the main verb.Shall or willIn English the future is shown chiefly by the use of the forms shall and will, and the use of the present continuous tense to indicate the future.
1. For any sentence which shows only the future, the form to use is “shall” for first person both singular and plural. For the rest person’s second and third persons, “will” is used.
Examples:-1. I shall write another grammar book soon.2. We shall work in our garden tomorrow3. You will visit Tanga next week4. I shall visit Tanga next week5. They will work in our garden tomorrow6. He will write another grammar book soon7. She will visit Tanga next week.
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2. For determination, promise, prohibition and commend “will” is used for the first person both singular and plural.For the second and third persons use “shall” to show determination, promise, prohibition and command.Examples:-
1. I will build a good house (determination)2. We will build a good house (determination)3. You shall do your home work (command)4. I will follow your advice (promise)5. We will come immediately inspite of fatigue (determination)6. She shall do your home work (command)7. He shall not enter my house (prohibition)
3. Use of shall and will + ing Look at the following examples:
1. I shall be working in my shamba this time next week.2. You will be enjoying the cool climate of Lushoto next month3. We shall be visiting our parents in two days time.
The continuous form of the future tense shows the action which will be happening in a period in the future.
More examples on simple future tense.1. I …………… give you the money for buying a new pair of shoes (shall/ will)2. He …………… be here in two hours to come (shall/will)3. You …………….. go to Ngorongoro National Park tomorrow (shall / will)4. Our examinations …………… begin next month (shall / will)5. ………………. You go with me to the cinema tomorrow? (shall / will)6. I shall ………….. to see you later (come)7. We shall …………. For our homes at three o’clock the day after tomorrow (leave)8. They …………… finish their work soon (shall / will)9. You ……………. Feel better after some hours (shall / will)10.He …………….. come back next week (shall / will)11.We……………. Have our dinner at Ndassa hotel this evening (shall / will)12.When …………….. your father return home? (shall / will)13.……………… he be ready to leave in a few minutes? (shall / will)14.How many days with the meeting …………. Place (will take)15. I …………….. give you what I owe you in a day or two (shall / will)16.Will he be ready to …………… in a few minutes (leave)17.When ……………. You going to finish your work (shall / will)18.When …………… you going to visit your uncle (be)19.What are you ………….. to do this after noon? (go)
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20.………….. we going to play any move matches this season (be)21.Are you …………… to England next month? (go)22. Is your master going to give you?23.Where ………….. you going to spend the holiday that begins on Saturday (be)24.Who is ………….. to visit the school in a day or two? (go)25.………….. it going to rain this evening? (be)
How to answer questions on simple future tense.1. Q. When …….. you be able to repay the money? (shall / will)
A. When will you be able to repay the money?
2. Q. She ……… cook nice food tomorrow(shall / will) A. She will cook nice food tomorrow
3. Q. When …………. The gardener going to water the flowers? (be)A. When is the gardener going to water the flowers?
4. Q. ………….. they going to Mwanza to see Lake Victoria? (be)A. Are they going to Mwanza to see Lake Victoria?
5. Q. I ………….. see you tomorrow evening (shall / will)A. I shall see you tomorrow evening.
More examples on future continuous tense.1. You will be ……………. Feeling hungry after all that exercises, I expect (fee)2. She will be …………….. this time tomorrow (dance)3. I wonder if it ………….. still be raining this afternoon (shall / will)4. They ……………. Be coming to the wedding ceremony (shall / will)5. Will she be …………… lunch at river mark hotel this (have)6. ……………. I be singing in the church tomorrow? (shall / will)7. Will she be …………….. this tomorrow? (cook)8. ……………. You be bringing Juma with you? (shall / will)9. They ……………… be coming to the meeting (shall / will)10.………………. You be doing the test tomorrow? (shall / will)11.……………… I be singing in the church tomorrow (shall / will)12.We ……………….. be landing at KIA after half an hour (shall / will)13.……………. Be Jane having her lunch at River mark hotel this afternoon? (shall /
will)14. I ……………….. be waiting for them for an hour (shall / will)15.She …………….. be seeing you tomorrow (shall / will)16.He ……………. Be playing volleyball all day tomorrow (shall / will)17.Salum ……….. be sweeping the classroom tomorrow morning (shall / will)
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18.Tanzania ……………….. be producing a lot of gold in the world two years to come (shall / will)
19.The pupils ………….. be taking lunch after two hours now (shall / will)20.The head master …………….. be addressing the school this time tomorrow (shall
/ will)21.They will be …………… in the dinning hall tomorrow (dance)22.After half an hour we shall be …………… at KIA (land)23.He will be ………….. a letter to his brother this time tomorrow (write)24.……………….. she be eating this time tomorrow (shall / will)25.Will he be …………… his car tomorrow? (drive)
How to answer the questions on future continuous tense.1. Q. …………. They be swimming tomorrow? (shall / will)
A. Will they be swimming tomorrow?2. Q. We ………….. be visiting you by tomorrow. (shall / will)
A. We shall be visiting you by tomorrow.3. Q. He will be …………… tomorrow morning (teach)
A. He will be teaching tomorrow morning4. Q. I ……………be watching TV tomorrow evening (shall / will)
A. I shall be watching TV tomorrow evening.5. Q. ……………… you be building your house this evening? (shall / will)
A. Will you be building your house this evening?
More examples on future perfect.1. She will have …………….. a letter to her uncle (write)2. I shall have …………….. lunch (take)3. You ……………. Have rung the bell (shall / will)4. They will have …………… supper (eat)5. She ……………… have sung two songs (shall / will)6. We ……………. Have driven to Dar es Salaam (shall / will)7. By the middle of next month, we shall have ………….. all the work assigned to us
(finish)8. By the time he comes here, you (leave) for home.9. Doto (get married) by the time I complete my studies.10. I think her (finish) my dress by this afternoon.11.The tourists (visit) the summer, by this afternoon.12.Before it rains in the summer, the farmers (till) the land13.We (submit) a report to the police before the trial begins.14.They (bind) the books in time for publication15.My aunt (begin) her leave by April.16. I hope the train (arrive) by the time we reach the station.17.By next Wednesday they (begin) their holidays
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18.By the time of elections, opinion will (swing) in favour of the candidate.19.The congregation (kneel) to pray before the minister arrives 20. I hop you (not forget) all this by tomorrow21.When ………. You have finished your work (shall / will)22.When will the results of the examination have ……………… (happen)23.When …………….. your brother have ……………. From Europe? (shall / will,
return)24.……………….. we have worked in our garden tomorrow (shall / will)25.Will they have …………. English lesson by eleven o’clock? (finish)
How to answer the questions on future perfect tense 1. Q. Our employer (finish) his leave by June.
A. Our employer will have finished his leave by June.
2. Q. By next December, she (write) her third letter.A. By next December, she will have written her third letter.
3. Q. ………… you have visited us by next week? (shall / will)A. Will you have visited us by next week?
4. Q. …………. I have ……….. to Morogoro by tomorrow? (shall / will, drive)A. Shall I have driven to Morogoro by tomorrow?
5. Q. He (cook) the food by sunrise.A. He will have cooked the food by sunrise.
End.
Prepared by :-
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