Page 51 - Mastermind Grammar-4

13. Tenses

A tense is a form taken by a verb to show the time of an action. Tenses are

actually the form of verbs, telling us the time of action may be of –

the present moment (He writes.)

the past moment (He wrote.)

the future moment (He will write.)

We have divided the tenses into three on the basis of their nature of the

action denoted by the verb. It may be (in every tense)

1. Simple 2. Continuous

3. Perfect 4. Perfect continuous

Look at the table, read and try to understand the usage of verbs to show the
various tenses :

Simple Continuous Perfect Perfect continuous

1. I write a I am writing a I have written a I have been writing

letter. (Present) letter. (Present) letter. (Present) a letter. (Present)

2. I wrote a I was writing I had written a I had been

letter. (Past) a letter. (Past) letter. (Past) writing a letter.

(Past)

3. I shall write a I shall be writing I shall have I shall have been

letter. (Future) a letter. (Future) written a letter. writing a

(Future) letter. (Future)

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