Learning the 12 Tenses in English Grammar, the beginning of the English learning language and the essential tools to enhance the writing and speaking skills of students, are Present Indefinite Tense, Present Continuous Tense, Present Perfect Tense, Present Perfect Tense, Past Indefinite Tense, Past Continuous Tense, Past Perfect Tense, Past Perfect Continuous Tense, Future Indefinite Tense, Future Continuous Tense, Future Perfect Tense, and Future Perfect Continuous Tense. The 12 tenses in English grammar are necessary tools for narration.
Tenses have always been a matter of discussion among students and teachers for a long time. I still remember the importance of tenses when I was in school and my English teacher used to put more emphasis on tenses. The educated elderly used to ask to translate sentences from Hindi into English. The grammar books were in dual languages so that the students could understand the real values of tenses in English. I am an English teacher and teach tenses to my students in the same way we were taught, as the rural students are unable to understand the text and their tenses while reading their textbooks due to their background.
Thus, the students should learn Tenses in English or Correct Forms of Verbs in English to speak and read error-free English.
General Discussion about 12 Tenses in English Grammar
Do students understand the tenses in English grammar?
I have been teaching English to different classes, but unfortunately, I have found that most of the students are unable to understand the tenses in English. Do you know why the students are unable to understand the tenses in English or the correct forms of the verbs? There are many reasons behind this. Most students in India come from rural areas and can’t understand English because there are always communication gaps when it comes to English and sometimes teachers can’t explain what tenses English due to lack of training.
Do tenses in English create worry among students?
Our English teachers used to put too much emphasis on the 12 tenses in English, and now I am a teacher of English, my emphasis is more on learning the correct forms of verbs to make my students speak and write correct English. It means the tenses and correct forms of verbs are the same, but in the modern way of teaching, the emphasis is more on learning the correct forms of verbs. Thus, the 12 tenses in English, or correct forms of the verbs in English, that help you to speak and write flawless English, are not two different entities, but they are the two faces of the same coin.
Do you know the meaning or definition of the 12 tenses in English grammar?
According to the Cambridge University Dictionary, the word tense is defined as “any of the forms of a verb which show the time at which an action happened” and as per Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, the definition of tense is “any of the forms of a verb that may be used to show the time of the action or state expressed by the verb.”
Examples of Tenses and verbs:
- I play in present tense and I played is in the past tense.
- He plays hockey.
- Do you know the 12 Tenses in English?
- I know the 12 Tenses in English.
- I had finished my work when he reached my home.
- The patient had died before the doctor reached. (The most common and favorite sentence of students).
- I have been teaching English for the last 25 years.
Do tenses or correct forms of verbs matter for learning the English language?
Tenses have always been a matter of discussion among students and teachers for a long time. I still remember the importance of tenses when I was in school and my English teacher used to put more emphasis on tenses. The educated elderly used to ask to translate sentences from Hindi into English. The grammar books were in dual languages so that the students could understand the real values of tenses in English. I am an English teacher and teach tenses to my students in the same way we were taught, as the rural students are unable to understand the text and their tenses while reading their textbooks. In tenses, you have to check the Structure and usage.
The Importance of Tenses for Speakers of English as a Second Language: 12 Tenses in English Grammar
Without the knowledge of 12 tenses in English, it would be impossible for everyone to communicate in the English language, especially for people speaking English as a second language. As we know, the learning of 12 tenses in English grammar is the beginning of the English learning language. Therefore, one must understand that learning tenses is the basis of the English language. Therefore, follow what has been discussed in this article.
Students are frequently perplexed about the tenses, which is understandable. They are always attempting to understand English in their native language. Students in North India first consider the fundamentals of English in Hindi, and they are unable to understand the 12 tenses in English grammar until class 12. As a result, students must grasp the fundamentals of tenses in the simplest way possible.
English Grammar Chart: 12 English Grammar Tenses
Tense can simply be defined as a verb form used to explain the time of happening of an event or incident at the time of speaking. It tells you whether the action is completed, going on, or will happen in the future. Tenses are useful for everyone, whether you’re a student or trying to get into a competitive exam like the IELTS or CGL. Tenses and the right forms of verbs will be very important. This part of the article will look at the rules of 12 tenses and how to use the right forms of verbs. There will be plenty of examples to help you become a strong candidate who can pass all exams.
12 Tense Rules and Structure or Correct Forms of Verbs in Eglish grammar
12 Tenses rules will boost your knowledge of the usage of tenses and will enable you to clear all school, competitive, and government exams. Moreover, tenses are a major part of learning English and students will get the best material on readlearnexcel.com. 12 tenses and usage of correct forms of verbs will let you secure 100% marks in all your exams and thus students need to concentrate on tenses to excel in their careers.
| 12 Tenses in English Grammar | 12 Tenses in English Grammar Structure |
| 1. Present Indefinite Tense | Assertive Sentence: Subject + V1 + Object ;
Example: I speak English Negative Sentence: Subject +do/does+not+ V1 + Object; Example: I do not speak English Interrogative Sentence: Do/does + Subject+V1+O?; Example: Do I know English? Negative Interrogative Sentence: Do/does + Subject+not+V1+O?; Example: Do I not know English? |
| 2. Present Continuous Tense | Assertive Sentence: Subject +is/am/are+ V1+ing + Object;
Example: I am speaking English Negative Sentence: Subject +is/am/are+not+ V1+ing + Object. Example: I am not speaking English Interrogative Sentence: Is/am/are+Subject+V1+ing+O?; Example: Am I speaking English? Negative Interrogative Sentence: Is/am/are+Subject+not+V1+ing+O?; Example: Am I not speaking English? |
| 3. Present Perfect Tense | Assertive Sentence: Subject + has + V3 + Object (Singular);
Example: He has spoken English Example: They have spoken English Negative Sentence: Subject + has/have +not+ V3 + Object (Singular); Example: They have not spoken English Interrogative Sentence: Has/have+Subject+V3+Object? Example:Has he done homework? Negative Interrogative Sentence: Has/have+Subject+not+V3+Object? Example:Have they not done homework? |
| 4. Present Perfect Continuous Tense | Assertive Sentence: Subject + has/have+ been + V1 + ing + Object+since/for;
Example: I have been speaking English for five hours. Example: I have not been speaking English for five hours. Interrogative Sentence: Has/have+ Subject+ been + V1 + ing + Object+since/for?; Example: Have they been speaking English for five hours? Negative Interrogative Sentence: Has/have+ Subject+not+ been + V1 + ing + Object+since/for?; Example: Have they not been speaking English for five hours? |
| 5. Past Indefinite Tense | Assertive Sentence: Subject + V2 + Object ;
Example: I spoke English Example: I did not speak English yesterday. Interrogative Sentence: Did+Subject + V1 + Object? ; Example: Did I speak English yesterday. Negative Interrogative Sentence: Did+Subject +not+ V1 + Object? ; Example: Did I not speak English yesterday? |
| 6. Past Continuous Tense | Assertive Sentence: Subject + was/were + V1+ing + Object ;
Example: Mahesh was writing his question. Example: Mahesh was not writing his question. Interrogative Sentence: Was/were+Subject + V1+ing + Object; Example: Was Mahesh writing his question? Negative Interrogative Sentence: Was/were+Subject + not+V1+ing + Object?; Example: Was Mahesh not writing his question? |
| 7. Past Perfect Tense | Assertive Sentence: Subject + had + V3 + Object ;
Example: He had spoken English. Example: He had not spoken English. Interrogative Sentence: Had + Subject + V3 + Object? ; Example: Had the patient died? Negative Interrogative Sentence: Had + Subject +not+ V3 + Object? ; Example: Had the patient not died? |
| 8. Past Perfect Continuous Tense | Assertive Sentence: Subject + had +been+ V1+ing + Object ;
Example: He had been speaking English for two hours. Negative Sentence: Subject + had +not+been+ V1+ing + Object Example: He had not been speaking English for two hours. Interrogative Sentence: Had+Subject+been+V1+ing+Object? Example: Had he been speaking English for two hours? Negative Interrogative Sentence: Had+Subject+not+been+V1+ing+Object? Example: Had he not been speaking English for two hours? |
| 9. Future Indefinite Tense | Assertive Sentence: Subject + will/shall + V1 + Object ;
Example: He will speak English. Negative Sentence: Subject + will/shall +not+ V1 + Object. Example: He will not speak English. Interrogative Sentence: Will/shall+Subject+V1+object. Example: Will he speak English? Negative Interrogative Sentence: Will/shall+Subject+V1+object. Example: Will he not speak English? |
| 10. Future Continuous Tense | Assertive Sentence: Subject + will+be + V1 +ing+ Object ;
Example: He will be speaking English. Negative Sentence: Subject + will+not+be + V1 +ing+ Object ; Example: He will not be speaking English. Interrogative Sentence: Will/shall+Subject+be+V1+ing+Object? Example: Will he be spaking English? Negative Interrogative Sentence: Will/shall+Subject+not+be+V1+ing+Object? Example: Will he not be spaking English? |
| 11. Future Perfect Tense | Assertive Sentence: Subject +will+ has/have + V3 + Object ;
Example: He will have spoken English. Negative Sentence: Subject +will+ has/have +not+ V3 + Object ; Example: He will have not spoken English. Interrogative Sentence: Will+Subject+Have+V3+Object? Example: Will he have spoken English? Negative Interrogative Sentence: Will+Subject+Have+not+V3+Object? Example: Will he have not spoken English? |
| 12. Future Perfect Continuous Tense | Assertive Sentence: Subject + will+have +been+ V1 +ing+ Object ;
Example: He will have been speaking English. Example: He will have not been speaking English. Interrogative Sentence: Will+Subject+have/has+been+V1+ing+ Object. Example: Will he has been speaking English for two hours? Negative Interrogative Sentence: Will+Subject+have/has+not+been+V1+ing+ Object. Example: Will he has not been speaking English for two hours? |
V1 = Verb first form
V2 = Verb second form
V3 = Verb third form
12 Tenses in English Grammar: The Beginning of the English Learning Language
The Uses of the Present Tenses or First Form of the Verb
We will now discuss the uses of the Present Tenses or Use of the First form of Verb with examples. The present tense’s use is an important topic in the 12 tenses in English. Students must learn and practice these rules to excel in 12 tenses in English.
1. Uses of Present Indefinite Tense
S+V1+S/ES+O
1. To express a habitual action:
- I go to the temple daily.
- She gets up at 4 a.m. daily.
- Her watch keeps good time.
2. To Express Universal Truth:
- Two and two make four.
- The sun rises in the east.
- Honey is sweet.
- Time favours the brave.
3. Exclamatory sentences beginning with here and there
- Here comes the rain!
- There he goes!
4. In the use of vivid narrative, the substitute for the simple past
- Mahesh now rushes forward and deals a heavy blow to Romy.
- Immediately the Prime Minister hurries to his capital.
5. Present Indefinite tense is to express a future event that is part of a fixed timetable of a mixed program.
- The next flight to Dubai is at 7 am. tomorrow.
- The cricket match starts at 10 o’clock.
- The train for Mumbai leaves at 4.30.
- When does the mall reopen?
6. Present indefinite Tense is used to introduce quotations
- John Keats says,” A thing of beauty is a joy forever
7. Present Indefinite is used In clauses of time and condition:
- I will wait till you finish your homework.
- If it rains we will get wet.
12 Tenses in English Grammar: The Beginning of the English Learning Language
2. Uses of Present Continuous Tense
S+IS/AM/ARE+V1+ING+O
1. Present Continuous Tense is for an action going at the time of speaking:
- She is working (now).
- The girls are playing tennis
2. Present Continuous Tense is for an action that has already been arranged to take place shortly:
- I am going to Mumbai tonight.
- My mom is arriving tomorrow.
The following verbs are not normally used in ContinuousTense:
see, smell, hear, notice, recognize appear, look. seem, want, wish, desire, hate, hope.
Wrong: These oranges are testing sour. He is seeming sad. He is having a mobile.
Right: These oranges taste sour. He seems sad. He has a mobile.
12 Tenses in English Grammar: The Beginning of the English Learning Language
3. Uses of Present Perfect Tense
S+HAS/HAVE+V3+O
1. The Presents Perfect Tense indicates completed action in the immediate past (just):
- The train has just left.
- The clock has just struck five.
- The President has just arrived.
2. The Present Perfect Tense is used to express past actions whose time is not definite or not given.
- Have you read “HHamlet?
- I have never seen him angry.
- I have been to Germany.
3. The Present Perfect Tense is used to denote an action that started in past and continued in present.
- I have known him for a long time.
- He has been here for a long time.
- She has been ill since last night.
- We haven’t met him for several years.
Important: The Present Perfect is never used with adverbs of past time.
Wrong: She has gone to Delhi yesterday.
Right: She went to Delhi yesterday.
12 Tenses in English Grammar: The Beginning of the English Learning Language
4. Uses of Present Perfect Continuous Tense
S+HAS/HAVE+BEEN+V1+ING+O+SINCE/FOR
1. Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used when the action started in the past and still the action is continuing.
- She has been reading for five hours. ( and she is still reading).
- I have been teaching English for the past 25 years. ( I am still teaching).
- They have been dancing for two hours. ( still dancing).
ReadLearnExcel English Grammar:
- 12 Tenses in English Grammar: The Beginning of the English Learning Language
- English Grammar: Active and Passive Voices with Examples of 12 Tenses
- Direct and Indirect Speech: Steps & Rules to Change Narration
- Modal Auxiliaries for all Classes: PDF
- Articles in English: The Beginning of Learning English Grammar PDF
- Articles in English: The Beginning of Learning English Grammar
12 Tenses in English Grammar: The Beginning of the English Learning Language
Uses of Past Tenses
1. Uses of Past Indefinite Tense
S+V2+O
1. The Past IndefiniteTense is used when the action is completed in the past. It is generally used with adverb phrases of oast time:
Examples:
She left home yesterday.
I went to meet him last night.
I received his message a few weeks ago.
2. Occasionally it is used without a verb of time and in such cases the time is implied.
Examples:
Riya learned german in Frankfurt.
She ddidn’tsleep well.
3. Past Indefinite is used for our past habits:
She did yoga many times a day.
I always carried a mobile.
12 Tenses in English Grammar: The Beginning of the English Learning Language
2. Uses of Past Continuous Tense
S+WAS/WERE+V1+ING+O
The Past Continuous Tense is used to denote the action was going on n the past, the time of action may be there or not.
Examples:
I was writing content all night.
It was raining heavily.
She was reading when I reached her home.
Note: There is a combination of Past Continuous and Past Indefinite is used.
12 Tenses in English Grammar: The Beginning of the English Learning Language
3. Uses of Past Perfect Tense
S+HAD+V3+O
Past Perfect Tense tells us about the completion of an action in the past.
The patient had died before the doctor reached.
The train had left before I reached the station.
I had finished my homework before the teacher started checking the homework.
12 Tenses in English Grammar: The Beginning of the English Learning Language
4. Uses of Past Perfect Continuous Tense
Past Perfect Continuous Tense tells us about an action that began before a decided time and continued up to the point.
S+HAD+BEEN+V1+ING+O+SINCE/FOR ( SINCE: FOR FIXED TIME AND NO FFIXEDTIME)
I had been waiting for you for two hours.
She had been working in this school for the last five years.
12 Tenses in English Grammar: The Beginning of the English Learning Language
Uses of The Future Tense
When we talk about the future, The Future Tense is used.
1. Uses of Future Indefinite Tense
S+WILL/SHALL+VI+O
1. When things can’t be controlled, Future Indefinite Tense is used.
She will be retired on September 30, 2022.
It will be teachers’ day on September 5, 2022.
We will know our half-yearly result on October 5, 2022.
2. This tense is used when we believe the action will happen in the future.
I think I will get 97. 5 marks.
It seems that it will rain.
12 Tenses in English Grammar: The Beginning of the English Learning Language
2. Uses of Future Continuous Tense
S+WILL/SHALL+BE+V1+ING+O
This is used when action will be in progress in future.
I think it will be very hot when we start.
I will be staying in Delhi till Monday.
12 Tenses in English Grammar: The Beginning of the English Learning Language
3. Uses of Future Perfect Tense
S+WILL/SHALL+HAVE+V3+O
She will have finished her homework by 10 a.m.
He will have joined us before we go to Airport.
12 Tenses in English Grammar: The Beginning of the English Learning Language
4. Uses of Future Perfect ContinuousTense
S+WILL/SHALL+HAVE+BEEN+V1+ING+O+SINCE/FOR.
Future Perfect ContinuousTense is used for an action that will be in progress in the future and will end in the future.
I shall have been working for two hours.
I shall have been teaching English for twenty-five years next June.
12 Tenses in English Grammar: The Beginning of the English Learning Language
20 MCQs on Theory of Tenses for CUET English 2025
Section 1: Basic Tense Theory (Questions 1-5)
- Which tense is used to describe an action that is happening at the moment of speaking?
a) Present Perfect
b) Present Continuous
c) Past Simple
d) Future Perfect
Answer: b
Explanation: The present continuous tense (e.g., “I am writing”) is used for actions occurring right now. - What is the primary function of the past perfect tense?
a) To describe a future action
b) To indicate an action completed before another past action
c) To show a habitual action
d) To express a general truth
Answer: b
Explanation: The past perfect (e.g., “had finished”) shows an action that occurred before another past event. - Which tense is formed using “will have + past participle” and indicates a completed action before a future point?
a) Future Continuous
b) Future Perfect
c) Present Perfect
d) Past Perfect
Answer: b
Explanation: The future perfect (e.g., “will have completed”) is used for actions completed before a specific future time. - The present perfect tense is used to show a connection between the past and the present. What time expression typically accompanies it?
a) Yesterday
b) Since
c) Tomorrow
d) Last week
Answer: b
Explanation: “Since” (e.g., “has lived since 2010”) indicates a starting point linking past to present. - Which tense is used to describe a hypothetical situation in the present?
a) Present Simple
b) Past Simple (Subjunctive)
c) Future Simple
d) Past Perfect
Answer: b
Explanation: The past simple (e.g., “were” in “If I were rich”) is used in second conditional sentences for unreal present scenarios.
Section 2: Sequence of Tenses (Questions 6-10)
- In reported speech, if the reporting verb is in the past tense, which tense does the verb in the reported clause typically shift to?
a) Present tense
b) Past tense
c) Future tense
d) Present perfect tense
Answer: b
Explanation: In reported speech (e.g., “She said she was tired”), the tense shifts back (e.g., “is” to “was”) after a past reporting verb. - If someone says, “I will call you,” and it is reported as “He said he ___ me,” which tense is correct?
a) will call
b) would call
c) calls
d) called
Answer: b
Explanation: “Would call” shifts “will call” to the past in reported speech after “said.” - Which tense is used in the subordinate clause when the main clause is in the past perfect?
a) Present Simple
b) Past Simple or Past Perfect
c) Future Simple
d) Present Continuous
Answer: b
Explanation: The past simple or past perfect (e.g., “had left” or “left” after “had known”) aligns with the past perfect context. - In the sentence “She wished she ___ the opportunity,” which tense is theoretically appropriate?
a) has
b) had
c) will have
d) is having
Answer: b
Explanation: “Had” (past subjunctive) is used after “wished” to express an unreal past desire. - When reporting “I have just finished,” as “He said he ___ just finished,” which tense is correct?
a) has
b) had
c) will have
d) is
Answer: b
Explanation: “Had” shifts “has” to the past perfect in reported speech after “said.”
Section 3: Conditional Sentences (Questions 11-15)
- Which tense is used in the “if” clause of a first conditional sentence?
a) Past Perfect
b) Present Simple
c) Future Simple
d) Present Continuous
Answer: b
Explanation: The present simple (e.g., “If it rains”) is used in the “if” clause of a first conditional for real future possibilities. - In a second conditional sentence, what tense is used to describe an unreal present situation?
a) Present Perfect
b) Past Simple
c) Future Continuous
d) Past Perfect
Answer: b
Explanation: The past simple (e.g., “were” in “If I were you”) indicates an unreal present condition. - Which tense combination is correct for a third conditional sentence?
a) If + Present Simple, would + base verb
b) If + Past Perfect, would have + past participle
c) If + Past Simple, will + base verb
d) If + Future Simple, would + base verb
Answer: b
Explanation: The third conditional uses “if + had done, would have done” for unreal past situations. - What tense is used in the main clause of a mixed conditional referring to a past action affecting the present?
a) Would + base verb
b) Would have + past participle
c) Will + base verb
d) Had + past participle
Answer: a
Explanation: “Would + base verb” (e.g., “would be”) reflects a present result of a past condition (e.g., “had studied”). - In the sentence “Had I known, I ___ helped,” which tense follows the inversion?
a) will have
b) would have
c) had
d) would
Answer: b
Explanation: In an inverted third conditional (“Had I known”), “would have helped” completes the unreal past scenario.
Section 4: Perfect and Continuous Tenses (Questions 16-20)
- Which tense is used to show an action that began in the past and continues to the present?
a) Past Continuous
b) Present Perfect Continuous
c) Future Perfect
d) Past Perfect
Answer: b
Explanation: The present perfect continuous (e.g., “has been working”) indicates an ongoing action from the past to now. - What is the function of the past perfect continuous tense?
a) To describe a future action
b) To show an ongoing action before another past event
c) To indicate a general truth
d) To express a completed future action
Answer: b
Explanation: The past perfect continuous (e.g., “had been running”) shows continuity up to a past point. - Which tense is formed with “will have been + present participle” and describes an ongoing action up to a future point?
a) Future Continuous
b) Future Perfect Continuous
c) Present Perfect Continuous
d) Past Perfect Continuous
Answer: b
Explanation: The future perfect continuous (e.g., “will have been studying”) is used for ongoing future actions. - When is the present perfect tense inappropriate?
a) For actions completed at a specific past time
b) For experiences up to the present
c) For actions continuing from the past
d) For repeated actions
Answer: a
Explanation: The present perfect avoids specific past times (e.g., “yesterday”); use past simple instead. - Which tense combines with “since” to indicate the duration of an action from a past point?
a) Present Simple
b) Present Perfect Continuous
c) Past Simple
d) Future Simple
Answer: b
Explanation: “Since” (e.g., “has been living since 2010”) pairs with present perfect continuous for duration.
50 Challenging MCQs on Tenses/Verbs for CUET English 2025
Section 1: Basic Tense Identification (Questions 1-10) Edited on April 25, 2025
- By the time the meeting starts, the team ___ the presentation.
a) will prepare
b) will have prepared
c) has prepared
d) had prepared
Answer: b
Explanation: “By the time” indicates a future action completed before another future event, requiring the future perfect tense (“will have prepared”). - She ___ in the garden when it started to rain.
a) works
b) was working
c) has worked
d) worked
Answer: b
Explanation: The past continuous (“was working”) is used to describe an ongoing action interrupted by another past event (“started to rain”). - If I ___ harder, I would have passed the exam.
a) study
b) studied
c) had studied
d) would study
Answer: c
Explanation: This is a third conditional sentence referring to a past unreal situation, requiring the past perfect (“had studied”). - The train ___ before we reached the station.
a) leaves
b) left
c) had left
d) has left
Answer: c
Explanation: The past perfect (“had left”) is used because the train’s departure happened before the action of reaching the station. - They ___ to the concert every year since 2015.
a) go
b) have gone
c) went
d) are going
Answer: b
Explanation: “Since 2015” indicates a repeated action from the past to the present, requiring the present perfect (“have gone”). - I ___ my homework when my friend called me.
a) finish
b) finished
c) was finishing
d) had finished
Answer: c
Explanation: The past continuous (“was finishing”) describes an ongoing action interrupted by another past event (“called”). - By next month, she ___ her project for three years.
a) will work
b) will have been working
c) has worked
d) worked
Answer: b
Explanation: The future perfect continuous (“will have been working”) is used to describe a continuous action up to a future point. - He ___ to the gym every day, but now he doesn’t.
a) goes
b) used to go
c) has gone
d) is going
Answer: b
Explanation: “Used to go” indicates a past habit that no longer occurs. - If she ___ earlier, she wouldn’t have missed the bus.
a) left
b) leaves
c) had left
d) has left
Answer: c
Explanation: A third conditional sentence requires the past perfect (“had left”) for an unreal past scenario. - The teacher ___ the lesson when the bell rang.
a) explains
b) was explaining
c) explained
d) has explained
Answer: b
Explanation: The past continuous (“was explaining”) describes an ongoing action interrupted by another past event (“rang”).
Section 2: Sequence of Tenses (Questions 11-20)
- She said that she ___ the book the previous day.
a) reads
b) read
c) had read
d) has read
Answer: c
Explanation: In reported speech, the past perfect (“had read”) is used because the action (“read”) occurred before “said” (past tense). - He told me that he ___ for the exam all week.
a) studies
b) had been studying
c) was studying
d) has studied
Answer: b
Explanation: The past perfect continuous (“had been studying”) reflects an ongoing action before the reporting verb “told” (past tense). - I knew that they ___ to the party if they had time.
a) will come
b) would come
c) come
d) had come
Answer: b
Explanation: In a past context (“knew”), the conditional “would come” is used for a hypothetical future action. - She asked if I ___ her project the next day.
a) will finish
b) would finish
c) finish
d) had finished
Answer: b
Explanation: In reported speech with a past verb (“asked”), “would finish” is used to shift “will finish” to the past. - They believed that the team ___ the match by then.
a) wins
b) had won
c) will win
d) has won
Answer: b
Explanation: The past perfect (“had won”) is used because the action (“won”) occurred before the believing (past tense). - He said that he ___ the report by the end of the day.
a) will finish
b) would finish
c) finishes
d) had finished
Answer: b
Explanation: “Would finish” shifts “will finish” to the past in reported speech after “said.” - I thought she ___ the assignment before the deadline.
a) completes
b) had completed
c) will complete
d) completed
Answer: b
Explanation: The past perfect (“had completed”) indicates an action completed before the thinking (past tense). - She promised that she ___ late again.
a) isn’t
b) won’t be
c) wouldn’t be
d) hasn’t been
Answer: c
Explanation: In reported speech after “promised” (past), “wouldn’t be” shifts “won’t be” to the past. - They wondered if the train ___ on time.
a) arrives
b) will arrive
c) would arrive
d) had arrived
Answer: c
Explanation: “Would arrive” shifts “will arrive” to the past after “wondered” (past tense). - He explained that the project ___ by the team last month.
a) was completed
b) is completed
c) has been completed
d) will be completed
Answer: a
Explanation: The past simple (“was completed”) aligns with the past context of “explained” and “last month.”
Section 3: Mixed Tenses in Conditional Sentences (Questions 21-30)
- If I ___ the rules, I wouldn’t be in trouble now.
a) know
b) knew
c) had known
d) will know
Answer: c
Explanation: The third conditional (“had known”) is used for a past unreal situation affecting the present (“wouldn’t be”). - If she ___ tomorrow, I will call her.
a) arrives
b) will arrive
c) arrived
d) had arrived
Answer: a
Explanation: In a first conditional, the present simple (“arrives”) is used in the “if” clause for a future possibility. - Had I ___ earlier, I would have caught the train.
a) leave
b) left
c) leaving
d) had left
Answer: b
Explanation: In an inverted third conditional, “had I left” is correct, but the options require “left” after “had I.” - If we ___ the project now, we will finish by evening.
a) start
b) started
c) had started
d) will start
Answer: a
Explanation: The first conditional uses present simple (“start”) in the “if” clause for a future outcome (“will finish”). - If they ___ harder, they might win the match.
a) play
b) played
c) had played
d) will play
Answer: b
Explanation: The second conditional (“played”) is used for an unreal present situation with a possible outcome (“might win”). - If I ___ you, I would apologize immediately.
a) am
b) were
c) had been
d) will be
Answer: b
Explanation: The second conditional uses “were” for an unreal present scenario (“would apologize”). - Had she ___ the email, she would have responded.
a) see
b) seen
c) seeing
d) had seen
Answer: b
Explanation: In an inverted third conditional, “had she seen” is correct, but the options require “seen” after “had she.” - If he ___ more, he will improve his skills.
a) practices
b) practiced
c) had practiced
d) will practice
Answer: a
Explanation: The first conditional uses present simple (“practices”) for a future outcome (“will improve”). - If we ___ earlier, we wouldn’t have been late.
a) leave
b) left
c) had left
d) will leave
Answer: c
Explanation: The third conditional (“had left”) describes a past unreal situation (“wouldn’t have been”). - If I ___ the chance, I would have traveled abroad.
a) have
b) had
c) had had
d) will have
Answer: c
Explanation: The third conditional requires “had had” for a past unreal condition (“would have traveled”).
Section 4: Advanced Tense Usage (Questions 31-40)
- By the time we arrive, they ___ for two hours.
a) will wait
b) will have been waiting
c) waited
d) have waited
Answer: b
Explanation: The future perfect continuous (“will have been waiting”) shows a continuous action up to a future point. - She ___ to the new city since last year.
a) moved
b) has moved
c) had moved
d) moves
Answer: b
Explanation: “Since last year” requires the present perfect (“has moved”) for an action continuing to the present. - He ___ the piano when I entered the room.
a) plays
b) was playing
c) played
d) has played
Answer: b
Explanation: The past continuous (“was playing”) describes an ongoing action at the time of another event (“entered”). - I ___ this book for a month by tomorrow.
a) will read
b) will have been reading
c) read
d) have read
Answer: b
Explanation: The future perfect continuous (“will have been reading”) indicates a continuous action up to a future point. - They ___ in the park every evening last summer.
a) play
b) played
c) were playing
d) had played
Answer: b
Explanation: The past simple (“played”) is used for a repeated action in the past (“last summer”). - By 2026, she ___ as a teacher for ten years.
a) will work
b) will have been working
c) worked
d) has worked
Answer: b
Explanation: The future perfect continuous (“will have been working”) shows a continuous action up to a future point. - He ___ to the meeting if he had known about it.
a) will come
b) would come
c) would have come
d) comes
Answer: c
Explanation: The third conditional (“would have come”) is used for a past unreal scenario (“had known”). - She ___ the report by the time the boss arrives.
a) finishes
b) will finish
c) will have finished
d) finished
Answer: c
Explanation: The future perfect (“will have finished”) indicates an action completed before a future event (“arrives”). - I ___ my friend since we graduated from college.
a) didn’t see
b) haven’t seen
c) don’t see
d) hadn’t seen
Answer: b
Explanation: The present perfect (“haven’t seen”) is used for an action from the past to the present (“since we graduated”). - They ___ for the bus when it started to rain.
a) wait
b) were waiting
c) waited
d) have waited
Answer: b
Explanation: The past continuous (“were waiting”) describes an ongoing action interrupted by another event (“started to rain”).
Section 5: Verbs and Tense Consistency (Questions 41-50)
- She ___ her homework before she went to bed.
a) finishes
b) finished
c) had finished
d) has finished
Answer: c
Explanation: The past perfect (“had finished”) is used because the action (“finished”) occurred before another past event (“went”). - If the weather ___ nice tomorrow, we will go hiking.
a) is
b) will be
c) was
d) had been
Answer: a
Explanation: The first conditional uses present simple (“is”) in the “if” clause for a future possibility. - He ___ to the gym every day since January.
a) goes
b) has been going
c) went
d) is going
Answer: b
Explanation: The present perfect continuous (“has been going”) reflects a continuous action from the past to the present (“since January”). - By the time the movie ends, we ___ for three hours.
a) will watch
b) will have been watching
c) watched
d) have watched
Answer: b
Explanation: The future perfect continuous (“will have been watching”) shows a continuous action up to a future point. - She ___ the email before the meeting started.
a) sends
b) sent
c) had sent
d) has sent
Answer: c
Explanation: The past perfect (“had sent”) indicates an action completed before another past event (“started”). - If I ___ the answer, I would tell you.
a) know
b) knew
c) had known
d) will know
Answer: b
Explanation: The second conditional (“knew”) is used for an unreal present situation (“would tell”). - They ___ the project by the time the deadline arrives.
a) will complete
b) will have completed
c) completed
d) have completed
Answer: b
Explanation: The future perfect (“will have completed”) indicates an action completed before a future event (“arrives”). - He ___ in the city for five years before moving abroad.
a) lives
b) lived
c) had lived
d) has lived
Answer: c
Explanation: The past perfect (“had lived”) is used for an action completed before another past event (“moving”). - If we ___ earlier, we could have avoided the traffic.
a) leave
b) left
c) had left
d) will leave
Answer: c
Explanation: The third conditional (“had left”) describes a past unreal situation (“could have avoided”). - She ___ the piano every day when she was younger.
a) plays
b) played
c) was playing
d) had played
Answer: b
Explanation: The past simple (“played”) is used for a past habit (“when she was younger”).
12 Tenses’ Exercises for Practice for Students
Use correct form of verb:
1. I have not…….all the questions so far.
(A) attempt
(B) attempts
(C) attempted
(D) attempting
2. My father…a match at present.
(A) watches
(B) watched
(C) was watching
(D) is watching
3. If you give me money, I…..you a watch.
(A) buy
(B) bought
(C) shall buy
(D) have bought
4. She……..for two hours.(play)
(A) is playing
(B) was playing
(C) has played
(D) has been playing
5. The new teacher…..(teach) us for six months.
(A) have been teaching
(B) has been teaching
(C) is teaching
(D) was teaching
6. Last saturday, I……(stay) at home.
(A) have stayed
(B) had stayed
(C) was staying
(D) stayed
7. A brave man……(not loose) heart.
(A) has not lost
(B) do not loose
(C) does not loose
(D) None of the above
8. Water….(evaporate) on heating.
(A) evaporated
(B) evaporates
(C) has evoporated
(D) had evaporated
9. I had finished my dinner when he ………(reach) my home.
(A) reach
(B) reached
(C) had reached
(D) will reach
10. Tomorrow it ……… mere difficult to convince the employer for realising the salary, I am sure.
(A) may be
(B) can be
(C) shall be
(D) will be
11. For three years, I ……….(serve)our country in all respects.
(A) had been serving
(B) have been serving
(C) was serving
(D) shall be serving
12. Anybody who………..(want)to take part in the function to be held in next month should give names to the coordinator.
(A) wanted
(B) wants
(C) is wanting
(D) want
Use correct form of verb: HBSE Previous Years Board’s Sentences For Practice
Check your understanding of 12 tenses
12 Tenses in English Grammar: The Beginning of the English Learning Language
13. I….(play) guitar since I was ten.
14. She never….(tell) a lie.
15. The bell…….before I reached the school.
16. I usually….(drink) coffee.
17. Sohan….(live) in this town since 2014.
18. He …….. (be) a teacher since 1988.
19. Last Saturday, I …….. (stay) at home.
20. She always …….. (find) faults with others.
21. The clock …….. (just strike) twelve.
22. I …….. (dig) in the garden since morning.
23. What …….. (happen) if you fail ?
24. We …….. (have) our dinner before she left.
25. It …….. (happen) in the year 1924.
26. Run fast ! The train …….. (leave)
27. He …….. (not come) back yet.
28. Last Saturday, I …….. (stay) at home.
29. Ice …….. (melt) above 0° Celsius.
30. More men than one ……. absent today. (was/were)
31. Neither of the two boys ………. done it. (has/have)
31. What evidence ………… these acts ? (is/are)
32. The director as well as the dancers ……. honoured. (was/were)
33. Four miles ………. not a long distance. (is/are)
34. Time and tide ………… for none. (wait/waits)
35. I or he ……. to be rewarded. (am/is)
36. Many an accident ………. recently taken place. (has/have)
37. No student and no teacher ………… present. (was/were
38 ……. I or her to be rewarded ? (am/is)
39. Five times ten ………. fifty. (is/are)
40. A pair of spectacles ………… broken. (is/are)
41. Either my brothers or my father ………… responsible. (to be)
42. Water ………. at 100°. (to boil)
43. It started to rain while we ………… tennis. (to play)
44. We ……………. (consider) all this before ?
45. Ram ……………. (cry) since morning.
46. Sita realized what she ……………. (do) and began to cry.
47. Look! they ……………. (go) down.
48. Alfred Nobel ……………. (be) born on 21st October 1833.
49. A liar is a person who habitually ………….. (tell) lies.
50. The Mayor as well as his brothers ……. going to prison. (to be)
51. There ………. the bell. (to go)
52. They ………… Panchkula yesterday. (to burn)
53. Here ………… two apples. (to be)
54. Baba started weeping when he ………. out of the court. (to come)
55. I ………… this novel by this time tomorrow. (to finish)
12 Tenses in English Grammar: Correct Form of Verbs MCQs (Practice Exercises)
Fill in the blanks of with the help of correct form of verb given below the sentences:
1. We ………..World Environment Day yesterday.
(A) celebrated
(B) celebrating
(C) celebrate
(D) have celebrated
2. If you………hard during Covid-19 you would have given a great honour.
(A) have worked
(B) worked
(C) had worked
(D) will work
3. Our teacher completes the syllabus every year in November but this year he….it in March because of a strange disease.
(A) competes
(B) completed
(C) has completed
(D) will complete
4. I……………. (never see) him before.
(A) have never seen
(B) had never see
(C) never saw
(D) never seen
5. Water……(boil) at 100 Degree Celsius.
(A) boiled
(B) was boiling
(C) have boiled
(D) boils
6. I………….(complete) this essay by tomorrow.
(A) Completed
(B) shall complete
(C) was completed
(D) were complete
7. The new teacher …………..(teach) us for six months.
(A) have been teaching
(B) has been teaching
(C) is teaching
(D) was teaching
8. Last Saturday, I……..(stay) at home.
(A) have stayed
(B) had stayed
(C) was staying
(D) stayed
9. A brave man ……(not loose)
(A) has not lost
(B) do not loose
(C) does not loose
(D) none of the above
Rules of Conditional Sentences in English Grammar
12 Tenses in English Grammar: The Beginning of the English Learning Language
Conditional Tenses: Four Rules of Conditional Sentences in English Grammar
Rules of Conditional Sentences in English Grammar
Conditional Sentences contain two parts and begin with ‘If’ and they are refer to unreal past. They are also called ‘If’where past tense is used but are not referred to past time. Generally, there are four parts of conditional sentences.
- When both parts of main clause and subordinate clauses are in ‘simple present’. It is called ‘Zero Conditional’.
Present Indefinite Present Indefinite
If clause + Main clause.
If + simple present +simple present.
The situation is real and it seems that there is a possibility of action, it is refers to present simple or time.
Example:
If it does’t rain, you can start work at site.
This kind of sentences is also known as ‘If ‘sentence and here, past tense is used, but they do not refer to the past time. There are four main types of conditional sentences.
2. When the first part of the sentence or ‘If ‘clause is written in the simple present and the main clause refers the simple future. ‘Condional 1’
Example: If it rained you would not attend the party.
If clause + Main clause
Past Indefinite Would+ Base Verb
If + simple past + present conditional
Examples:
If I owned a house, I would let people to live free.
If it rained you would start work at site.
3. If you have past perfect tense in ‘if’ clause and the main clause reffers to the perfect condional and is called ‘Conditiona 3’.
If clause + Main clause
If+ past perfect tense + perfect conditional
Past Perfect Would Have + Past Participle
4. There is one more type of conditional sentence is that when type 2 and type 3 conditional sentences are mixed. Here, ‘If ‘clause is written in the past perfect tense and the main clause refers to the present conditional.
If clause + Main clause
If+ past perfect tense + present conditional
Example: If you would have worked hard in college days, you would have an excellent job.
Thus,the followings rules to be followed to learn the tenses and correct forms of verbs.
If Clause Main Clause
Simple Present Will+ Base verb
Past Indefinite Would+ Base Verb
If I owned a house, I would let people to live free.
Past Perfect Would Have + Past Participle
Present Indefinite Present Indefinite
Readlearnexcel English Grammar: Direct and Indirect Speech: Steps&Rules to Change Narration
Readlearnexcel English Grammar: 12 Tenses in English Grammar: The Beginning of the English Learning Language: Download Free PDF
Readlearnexcel TIP
Most students and teachers are worried about learning tenses. Are their worries justifiable in the context of learning English or not? Students who speak English as their first language are more comfortable than those who do not speak English as their first language. Thus, I have seen students in India, especially in rural India, have always struggled to learn the tenses in English. This reality will exist due to the differences in the mother tongue and English language. The best way to understand the sentence structure of tenses and uses of verbs in correcting the sentences can be acquired by an intensive reading of differents types of written material.
