Unit 10 Tenses- The complexities of Time

 Time would be easy to express in English if only three dimensions (past, present, future) were need to be shown. Unfortunately this is not so. It is often much more complicated; the past affects the present, and the present relates to the future. To show time correctly, appropriate tenses have to be used.
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Present Time

Present Simple

Present Perfect

Present Continuous

Present Perfect Continuous

Past Time

Past Simple

Past Perfect

Past Continuous

Past Perfect Continuous

Future Time

Present Simple With A time phrase

Will/shall + infinitive ( will/shall + go) Going to + infinitive ( I am going to + go) Will + present continuous (will + be going) Will + present perfect ( will + have given)
Will + present perfect continuous (will + have been waiting)

Present Continuous With a Time Phrase

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 12 conditions of tense@time
Condition / time Present simple continuous perfect Perfect continuous

Present Simple (wait) Past Simple (waited)

Present Continuous
be/(am/is/are) + waiting)

Present Perfect (Have + waited) Past Perfect (had + waited) Future Perfect (will + have waited)

Present Perfect Continuous

(have + been waiting)

Past

Past Continuous
Be/(was/were + waiting)

Past Perfect Continuous

(had been + waiting)

Future

Future Simple (will wait)

Future Continuous (will be + waiting)

Future Perfect Continuous

(will +have been waiting) 4

Conditional sentences
In addition to that, you have to know the tenses to use in conditional sentences
Conditional

Present Tense + if/ unless/ lest/ supposing + clause

Past Tense + if / unless/ lest/ supposing + clause

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Important!!!!!! VERB FORMS

1. If you want to use the tenses correctly, you must have a good understanding of the verbs. 2. Verbs can be classified into 2: Regular verbs ( wait, dance, walk etc) Irregular verbs ( eat, put, drink, swim etc)

3. Regular verbs A regular verb has its past or participle formed by addition of e or ed or *en (certain participles only) Examples: wait (waited) dance (danced) walk (walked) 4. Irregular verbs An irregular verbs either retains its form for the past and past participle, or changes it. This change is accomplished without the addition of d or ed. Examples: eat ( ate-eaten) put (put-put) give (gavegiven) swim- (swam - swum) drink ( drank drunk)
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EXERCISE SPECIAL
USE YOUR DICTIONARY and FIND AS MANY AS YOU CAN ALL THE IRREGULAR VERBS. LIST DOWN THE PAST TENSE FORM AND THE PARTICIPLE FORMS EXAMPLES:
IRREGULAR VERBS

Verb Past Hit

Hit

Parti ciple
hit

swim swam swum drink drank drunk eat

ate eaten

ACTION VERBS vs AUXILIARY VERBS

Auxiliary verbs are helping verbs for they cannot make a phrase on their own but must be accompanied by a main verb (action verb) Example : I am Noor. I have taught Malay Literature before teaching English. I do like French language and Arabic too. I can understand a little bit of French, I must find someone who can teach me the language further. I would like to be able to speak in the language again.
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Auxiliary Verbs (The helpers)

Primary

Modal

Verb to be Is/am/are (was/were)

Verb to have Have/has (had)

Can, could, May, might Must, ought Will, would Shall, should

Verb to do Do/does (did)

Dare need

 Auxiliary verbs helps to form tenses: Examples: 1. be + ing (continuous tense)

They are watching the film. He is studying English.

2. be + ed/en (present passive voice)

The film were watched by them. He was picked up for the job. WO 1 Azman was given a medal for his bravery.

3. have + past participle (perfect tense)

They have done their assignment. I have given you the homework on grammar.

4. Shall/will + verb (future tense)

He will do it tonight. I shall punish you if you dont finish them.

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 Auxiliaries are necessary in : a question Can you wait a while? negative intention I cannot afford to buy the dictionary. permission Shall I buy another story book, Mak? Yes you will.(Howyeh! Howyeh! Thank you!) request May I come in? (Yes, you may)
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Dare? and need

Other than being modal auxiliaries need and dare can also be used as main verbs. Example:
Modal auxuliaries 1. The recruit neednot wear a uniform at the moment. Dare he defy the CIs order? Main verbs / action verbs The recruit needs no uniform at the moment. I shall be surprised if he dares to defy the CIs order.

2.

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The Infinitive
The infinitive refers to the basic form of the verb: (to) eat, (to) take, (to) climb, (to) sit Infinitive is usually preceded by to Examples:
We are allowed to eat three times a day. Children are to sit at the corner. It is difficult to climb Bukit Busu. It takes two to tango.
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A. Present Time
Present time can be expressed by 1. the simple present tense 2. the present continuous/progressive tense 3. the present perfect tense 4. the present perfect continuous/ progressive tense ***** (important) 5. The simple past tense (in daily conversation) to show politeness
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1. The Simple Present Tense

The simple present tense is used to express:
1.1) A habitual activity.
Examples: 1.1a. She goes to bed at 12.30 oclock every night. 1.1b. She swims at AORC every Saturday. 1.1c. They play badminton regularly. 1.1d. I read the printed edition of Sherlock Holmes.

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 1.2) A statement of fact or universal truth Examples:

1.2a. He told the child that the world is round. 1.2b. Syawal told Fiza that the sun is much bigger than the moon. 1.2c. We learn that hydrogen is the lightest gas.

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 1.3) Commentaries, especially in sports. Examples:

1.3a. Dollah Salleh kicks the ball to Hassan Miskam. Hassan Miskam passes to Safee Sali, Safee Sali heads it into the goal.

1.4) Literary criticism Examples:

1.4a. The pantun is well written. The repetition of the middle and the end rhyme is balance.
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2. The Present Continuous tense (be+ verb+ing)

The present continuous tense or progressive tense is used for:
2.1) An activity that is still going on at the time of speaking or one which is of short duration
2.1a. She is singing in her bath. 2.1b. My neighbours baby is crying loudly. 2.1c. The gardener is watering the plants.

2.2) A temporary activity

2.2a. I am living in Kedah. (The stay is not permanent) 2.2b. Mej Noor is enjoying her job. (for the moment) 2.2c. You are attending a course. (for 3 years)
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 2.3) An event in the future Examples:

2.3a. We are buying a carpet for the dining hall. 2.3b. Puan Marina is going to contact the Malaysian Nursing Board. 2.3c. We are expecting a visit from the DG . Because of its very nature, the continuous tense is best used with verbs which indicate activity, either repeated or briefly sustained such as knock, jump, fall, leave, write.
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3. Present perfect tense have + verb=ed/en (past participle)

The present perfect tense is used for:
3.1) A past activity which still affects the present Example:
3.1a I have worked in Tawau. (and I dont mind working there again) 3.1b.The doctor has treated such cancer cases before.. (so he knows exactly what to do now) 3.1c. Mr Rajean has read a lot books on anatomy ..( so he is very knowledgeable about it)
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 3.2) A completed activity at some recent indefinite time. Examples:

3.2a. He has finished reading the whole Al Quran. 3.2b. My only child has completed his study. 3.2c. She has sat for her music examination. 3.2d. The nurse has given the patient medicine.

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 3.3) Question referring to the indefinite past Examples:

3.3a. Have you ever been to Melbourne? 3.3b. Has her father agreed to marry you both off? 3.3c. Have they bought the tickets?

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 3.4) already and not yet statements Examples:

3.4a. I have already eaten. She has already eaten We have already eaten. 3.4b. He has not yet eaten. The boys have not yet eaten either. 3.4c. My friend has already bought the galaxy. 3.4d. I have not yet own an i-pad.

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 3.5) Since and for statements. Examples:

3.5a. I have not heard from him since early February. 3.5b. He has known my brother since schooldays. 3.5c. She has been in Germany for 6 months. 3.5d. Faruks sister has been ill for weeks.

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4. Present Perfect Continuous Tense ( have + been + verb+ing)

The present perfect continuous tense is used for:
4.1) An activity which is initiated in the recent past and is continued to the present. (the use of been is necessary in PPCT. Examples:
4.1a. They have been playing football all morning. (and still playing at the moment of speaking) 4.1b. I have been thinking about it. (and still am) 4.1c. Mej Noor has been working hard at the TKR 25 auditing (and still auditing itShhess!)

 4.2) Since and for statement (almost the same as Present Perfect Tense) Examples:
4.2a. His sister has been dieting for months. 4.2b. The lady has been swimming for an hour. 4.2c. She has been teaching in military training institution since 2002. 4.2d. She has been teaching the military personnel for 10 years. 4.2e. We have been suffering to learn English since last month aaaaaaaAAAaaaaa..

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5. PAST TENSE in Daily conversation to show politeness

5.1) Daily conversation to show politeness. Examples:
5.1a. I hoped you would give some help. (Is more polite than) 5.1b. I hope you will give me some help. (Hak yang ni dok paksa orang tau, jgn cakap macam ni!) 5.1c. I wondered if you could finish the job for me. (is more polite than ) 5.1d. I wonder if you can finish the job for me.
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B. PAST TIME
Past time can be expressed by: 1. the present perfect tense (slide 20) 2. the present perfect continuous (slide 25) 3. the simple past tense 4. the past continuous/ progressive tense 5. the past perfect 6. the past perfect continuous tense
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3. The Simple Past Tense

The simple past tense is used for:
3.1) A completed activity. Examples:
3.1a. Cinderella stepmother took two of her daughters to the ball. 3.1b. She left Cinderella home alone. 3.1c. I won the essay competition twice. 3.1d. She was once a high jump gold medalist.

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 3.2) A definite point in the past. Examples:

3.2a. I borrowed that book two weeks ago. 3.2b. I left office at 6 oclock yesterday. 3.2c. The Diploma courses in INSAN started in 2003. 3.2d. The signal came on 12nd Feb.

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 3.3) Indirect speech, if the direct statement is in the PRESENT TENSE. Examples:
3.3a. I am here. whispered the child. 3.3b. The child whispered that she was there. 3.3c. I do not believe it. his sister said. 3.3d. His sister said that she did not believe it.

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4. Past Continuous Tense

The past continuous tense is used for:
4.1) A sustained activity in the past, but one likely to be of short duration. Examples:
4.1a. He was watching television. 4.2a. We were enjoying the meal. 4.2c. Ali was flying a kite near the paddy field.

 4.2) The earlier activity in two past activities. Examples:

4.2a. He was eating dinner when we arrived. 4.2b. The soldier was sleeping when the enemy broke into their defense. 4.2c. The guard was sleeping when the fire broke out. 4.2d. She was reading when the phone rang.

 4.3) Description in a narration Examples:

4.3a.The day was drawing to an end. The old man was playing a flute. A cow was grazing lazily. 4.3b.The sun was getting hotter. The boy was sweating profusely and panting for air. His dog was chasing behind him.

 4.4) Indirect speech, if the original statement is in the present continuous tense
4.4a. Direct - He said I am writing a letter. Indirect: He said that he was writing a letter. 4.4b. Direct - She said, I am waiting for him. Indirect: She said she was waiting for him.

5. The Past Perfect Tense

Past Perfect Tense is used for
5.1) The earlier activity in two performed activities. Examples: 5.1 a) The robber had escaped when the police arrived. 5.1 b) Ana Raffali had left the hotel when her fans swarmed in. 5.1 c) I had finished my work when my brother came.