Tense:

Tense can be defined as a word form used to indicate the time of occurrence of an incident
concerning the moment of speaking. It indicates the completion or continuance of an activity.
Whether you are a school student or someone preparing for competitive examinations or any
other English proficiency test, good knowledge of Tenses is going to help you score better.
Let us explore different tenses rules and usage with some examples!

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.

Past Perfect Tense Rules

Subject + had + V3 + Object

Examples:

He had taken the token.

I had brushed my teeth.

Past Perfect Continuous Tense Rules

Subject + had been + V1 + ing + Object

Examples:

He had been standing in the rain the whole night.

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.

Present Perfect Tense Rules

Subject + has + V3 + Object (Singular)

Subject + have + V3 + Object (Plural)

Examples:

He has just eaten food.

I have just read the book.

Present Perfect Continuous Tense Rules

Subject + has been + V1 + ing + Object (Singular)

Subject + have been + V1 + ing + Object (Plural)

Examples:

I have been cleaning regularly since Monday.

She has been using the night cream for several months.
Simple Future Tense Rules
Subject + will/shall + V1 + Object

Examples:

I shall go to school tomorrow.

My mother will feed me.

Future Continuous Tense Rules

Subject + will be/shall be + ing + V1 + Object

Examples:

He shall be writing his exam.

We will be going to the zoo.

Future Perfect Tense Rules

Subject + will have/shall have + V3 + Object

Examples:

I shall have started writing by that time.

We will have reached Goa by then.

Future Perfect Continuous Tense Rules

Subject + will have been + V1 + ing + Object

Examples:

By next year we will be graduating.

They shall be serving food in the slum area tomorrow.

Tenses Rules Practice Questions

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

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

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

Answers

 Wants
 Smells
 Has been crying
 Will be lying
 Have
 Spent
 Made
 Running
 Plays
 Taking
Condition:

What Are Conditionals?

In short, conditionals are statements that describe both hypothetical and real scenarios.
They are often referred to as “if clauses” because they often begin the same way.

Here are a few examples:

General truth – If I eat breakfast, I feel good all day.

Future event – If I have a test tomorrow, I will study tonight.

Hypothetical situation – If I had a million dollars, I would buy a boat!

Hypothetical outcome – If I had prepared for the interview, I would have gotten the job.

Note that “if” does not have to be the first word. In fact, while most of them make use of
the word, it is not a requirement to include “if” in a conditional sentence. “When” can also
be used in place of “if” in some cases.

1. The Zero Conditional

The zero conditional expresses something that is considered to be a universal truth or when
one action always follows another.

if (or when) + present tense | present tense

if (or when) + past tense | past tense

 When I did my homework, my teacher was happy.*

 If the temperature reaches zero degrees Celsius, water freezes.
 My mom comforted me when I got scared.*
 If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.

As you might have noticed, the order of clauses is not fixed in the conditional. However, if
you move “if” or “when” to the middle of the sentence, you must remove the comma. This
rule applies to all 4 types.

*Note: The zero conditional is the only type of conditional in which “when” can replace “if.”

2. The First Conditional

The first conditional expresses a future scenario that might occur. Assuming that the
condition is fulfilled, the outcome is likely to happen.

if + present tense | will (may/might/can/could/should) + infinitive

 If I get paid today, I will go shopping. (“Will” implies near certainty about the shopping
trip in case the condition is fulfilled)
 We could go to Paris if we save enough money. (“Could” indicates that the result is
possible.)
 If she knows the truth, she might not be happy. (“Might” implies a degree of uncertainty
about her happiness in case the condition is fulfilled.)
 They can do it if they try. (“Can” indicates that the result is possible.)
 If I see the man, I may say something to him. (“May” implies a degree of uncertainty
about saying something to him in case the condition is fulfilled.)
 He should get a dog if he is lonely. (“Should” indicates that the speaker is giving their
opinion.)

This type refers to general truths, while the first conditional refers to specific situations.
Though “will” is most commonly used in the first conditional, you can also use “may,”
“might,” “can,” “could,” or “should.” However, as outlined above, each of these modal
verbs can change the meaning of the sentence.

3. The Second Conditional

The second conditional can either refer to future hypotheticals that are unlikely to be true
or present situations that are untrue or impossible.

if + past subjunctive | would/might/could + infinitive (simple or continuous)

if + simple past | would/might/could + infinitive (simple or continuous)

 If I were rich, I would travel the world.

 If she were to try harder, she might get better grades.
 They might be able to see it if they were more observant.
 If I met the President, I would be too nervous to speak.
 If he played sports, he might be in better shape.
 He could get the promotion if he knew the right people.

Though the second resembles the first conditional in meaning, their structures are distinct.
Moreover, the first conditional usually refers to future events that are likely to happen,
while the second refers to events that are unlikely to happen (or current impossibilities).
4. The Third Conditional
The third conditional expresses an unreal situation in the past, with reference to the
hypothetical outcome that would result also in the past.

if + past perfect subjunctive | would (could/might) + perfect infinitive

*if + past perfect | would (could/might) + perfect infinitive

 If I had known how you were going to react, I would have kept my mouth shut.
 If you had seen the movie, we could have talked about the ending.
 We might have crossed paths if I had left the house on time.

Both the second and third conditionals can refer to impossible events. However, the second
refers to impossibilities in the present (“If I were you…”), while the third refers to
impossibilities in the past. The situations expressed in the third conditional are impossible
because they already transpired and therefore cannot be changed.

Model Word:
What are model verbs?

Model verbs are also called auxiliary verbs, helping verbs and model auxiliaries.

Model verbs are not complete verbs, and they can only be used with a verb.

Model verbs stay in the base form.

Modals Verbs

 Must - I must go to the store.

 Could - I could come over next week.
 Must Not - The girls must not be late for school.
 May - The girls may stay out late.
 Might - We might have money soon.
 Should - My husband should come home soon.

Model verbs are used to answer can, will, shall, ought to, must, need, may questions in the
short form.
Tag Question:
Transformation of sentences
Linking Word:
কথা বলার সময় বা কোন কিছু লেখার সময় বাক্যগুলোর ভেতর সঙ্গতি বা যৌক্তিক চলমানতা বজায় রাখার জন্য মাঝে মধ্যে
বিভিন্ন ধরনের Word বা Phrase ব্যবহৃত হয়। এ জাতীয় Word বা Phrase কে Linking Word বলে।

Co-ordinating linking word কাকে বলে?

যে সকল linking word দুটি সমজাতীয় word বা Sentence কে যুক্ত করে তাদেরকে Co-ordinating linking word
বলে।

Exm: And, but, or, as well as, nor , for etc.

Sub-ordinating linking word কাকে বলে?

যে সকল linking word একটি principal clause এবং এক বা একাধিক sub- ordinate clause কে সংযুক্ত করে,
তাদেরকে Sub- ordinating linking word বলে। এই linking word গুলো complex sentence এ ব্যবহৃত হয়।

Exm: That, unless, though, as, before etc.

Correlative linking word কাকে বলে?

পরস্পর অচ্ছেদ্যভাবে সম্পর্ক যুক্ত দুটি linking word একটি linking word এ পরিনত হলে তাকে correlative linking
word বলে।

*এরা সর্বদা জোড়ায় জোড়ায় ব্যবহৃত হয়। তথা Sentence এ একটি অংশের ব্যবহার হলে অপর অংশটির ব্যবহার
অবশ্যম্ভাবী হয়ে ওঠে।