Tenses Tenses Rule

Past simple tense Subject + V2 + Object

Subject + was + V1 + ing + Object (Singular)
Past Continuous tense
Subject + were + V1 + ing + Object (Plural)
Present Simple tense Subject + V1 + s/es + Object (Singular) Subject + V1 + Object (Plural)
Present Continuous tense Subject + is/am/are + V1 + ing + object

V1= first form of the verb 

V2= second form of the verb 
V3 = third form of the verb 

We will now discuss each category with different types of tenses, the tenses rule and their
examples.

Types of Tenses
There are three types of tenses.

 Past
 Present
 Future

Past Tense Rules

Past tense is used to describe a past activity or action. It is a form of the verb that defines the
events that have already occurred. Examples

 Reema attended the wedding functions.

 He left before I reached.
 Priya wrote a letter to her friends from camp.

Simple Past Tense Rules

Subject + V2 + Object

Examples:
Rita went to school.
Minty ate food.

Past Continuous Tense Rules

Subject + was + V1 + ing + Object (Singular) Subject + were + V1 + ing + Object (Plural)
Examples:
I was eating pudding.
Sia was writing a letter to the editor.

Present Tense Rules

The present tense is used to describe the current or present being, situation, or event. It is a form
of the verb that defines the events that are currently happening. Examples

 I am going to the office

 She has been part of this group for 4 years now.
 The concert is amazing.

Simple Present Tense Rules

Subject + V1 + s/es + Object (Singular)

Subject + V1 + Object (Plural)

Examples:
The Sun rises in the East.
Rita goes to school.

Present Continuous Tense Rules

Subject + is/am/are + V1 + ing + object

Examples:
I am eating pudding.
Sia is writing a letter to the editor.

Tenses Rules & Application

Sometimes understanding tenses can be confusing, to sort it out & make it easier we have
represented a tabulated version of tenses rules & where they are applied with the help of
examples.

Tenses Application Example

She cooked dinner for everyone last
Past simple tense Past Events
month
Past Continuous Past Events related to the She was cooking dinner for everyone
tense occurrence of other events when she ran out of gas.
Present Simple
Facts & truths She hosts dinner for everyone a lot.
tense
Present Continuous
Current Actions She is cooking dinner for everyone
tense

Tenses Rules Practice Questions

Now you know all about the types & tenses rules. Here are some practice questions to test your
knowledge. 

1. Riya _____ (wants/ wanting)to be a pilot.

2. The dinner ______ (smells/smelling) great.
3. She _______ (has been crying/cried) since last night.
4. I _______ (will be lying, will lie) on the beach with my friends.
5. Give me a call when you ______ (have, had) time.
6. I _______ (spent/spend) all my teenage years at math camp.
7. When we were in the hostel we _____ (made/make) our own breakfast.
8. Sandhya is ________ (running/ran) for student election this semester.
9. He _____ (plays/playing) tennis most of his evening.
10. When you called, I was______ (taking/took) a shower.

Answers

Wants

Smells

Has been crying

Will be lying

Have

Spent

Made

Running

Plays

taking