The Master Of Tense

The Master of Tense

By

Mohammed Mohsin ( M.A in English Literature J.U)and B.Ed 1^st Class.( N.U)

Mobile: +8801814-222507 Or +8801850-149702.

Time and Tense at a glance:

Meaning: Time, Tension and Irritation.

Origin: The word tense is derived from the Latin word “Tempus” the meaning of which is time.

Importance:Tense is called the “Soul of English Language” There is no sentence in English Language where we do not use Tense and so, thinking its usages , I have subdivided it into  the following heads.

Tense Defined: The Tense is the change of form in a verb to express the time of an action.

Classifications: Tenses are classified into three. Such as 

1.The Present Tense

2.The Past Tense and

3.The Future Tense.

Subdivision: They are subdivided into four Forms:

1. Indefinite/Simple
2. Continuous/Imperfect/Progressive
3. Perfect and
4. Perfect Continuous.

In this way we can see that there are(4*3= 12) forms in all. But in everyday use, we notice some more other Tenses.  They are as follows:

1. Tense of Ability
2. Tense of Possibility and Unreal Past
3. Tense of Discontinued Past
4. Tense of Condition
5. Tense of Sequence
6. Tense of Obligation
7. Tense of Non-Obligation
8. Tense of Elliptical Sentences
9. Tense of Should/Ought to
10. Tense of Need, Dare
11. Tense of Must.

Now, let’s learn in details.

1.The Present Indefinite/Simple:

The form of Tense which denotes an action that goes on at present.

How to know the Bangla sentences: The Bangla sentences /verbs end in the signs of  ই, ,ি ,ে য়, ও, ন থাকে।

Structure: Sub+ base form of the verb +obj/extension/complement.

Note: If the subject is 3rd person and singular number, then we have to add s/es to the main verb. Bear it in mind that verbs ending in o, ss, ch (pronounced soft as sa) x, z take es and the other verbs take only s.

Examples: I go to school. You play football. Ye eat your meals. Rahim plays football. He goes to Dhaka. Father possesses a vast property.

Uses of the present Simple:

1. To denote a universal truth or a habitual fact: The sun rises in the east. Man is mortal.
2. To denote a near future: I go to Khulna tomorrow. Ramadan begins from the next month.
3. To denote an exclamation: Here comes the bus, I see !
4. To describe an historical event/a geographical place: The speech of 7th March inspires the whole nation. The beauty of the Tajmahal attracts us all.
5. To denote a quotation of a writer: “Shakespeare says Handsome is that handsome does”
6. To describe any sports or an event: Maradona passes Batistuta and he scores an excellent goal.
7. Sentences having such Adverbs are also in the present indefinite. “always, regularly,  sometimes, at times, every now and then, everyday, often, occasionally, normally, usually, frequently, generally, daily ,etc.”
8. Imperative Sentences are always in the present indefinite: Go home. Please come here. Let’s play.
9. The following verbs are used in the present simple: –

2.The Present Continuous/Imperfect/Progressive:

denotes an action going on at present.

How to know the Bangla sentences: তেছি, তেছ, তেছে, তেছেন ,চ্ছ, চ্ছে, চ্ছি, চ্ছেন  থাকে ।

Structure: Sub+ am/is/are+ progressive form of the verb/ verb – ing + obj/ext/complement.

Note: I, being the king of the subjects, is always followed by “am” We, you, ye they and subject being plural take “are” and the subject being singular , takes “is”. 

Examples: I am eating my meals. We are playing football. Ye are watching TV. S/he is doing the sums.

Uses of the Present Continuous/ Imperfect/Progressive:

1. To denote a near future. I am going to Khulna tomorrow. Our test exam is beginning in the next month.
2. Sentences having the words/phrases/ Adverbs now, at this moment, gradually, rapidly, slowly, day by day etc . He is growing up gradually.
3. An action occurring frequently: The boy is always disturbing the class. The population of Bangladesh is increasing day by day.
4. We have already known that perceptional verbs are not used in the Continuous. But when they are used to express a special meaning, they can be used in the Continuous forms : I am seeing and seeing a bird. He is feeling better today.

3. Present Perfect:

denotes an action having occurred just now.

How to know the Bangla sentences: ইয়াছি, ইয়াছ, ইয়াছে, ইয়াছেন  থাকে ।

Structure: Sub +have/has +past participle form of the verb + obj/ext/complement.

Examples: I have done the work. We have seen a cat. You/ye have finished the work. S/he has gone to market.

Note: Subjects I/we/you/ ye / they and plural forms take “ Have” and the subject being singular takes  “Has”

Uses of the Present Perfect:

1. If the Verbs of perception and thinking indicate a period of time or a point of time, then such verbs are used in the Present Perfect: I have not heard from you for a long time. I have known him for ten years.
2. The sentences having   just, just now, already, yet, ever, lately, recently are in the present perfect: I have not seen him recently. Have you ever been to Cox’s Bazar?  Father has come home just now.
3. Clauses preceded by a Future Indefinite/Future Perfect, the following clause may be in the Present Indefinite/ Present Perfect. In such a sentence, it contains when/before/after. Example: I shall go home when/after/before you do/you have done it.
4. To indicate completed activities in the immediate past: He has just gone out.
5. To describe past events when we think more of their effect in the present than of the action itself: I have finished my work. ( I am free now).

4.Present Perfect Continuous:

An action that has been going on for a period of time or a point of time.

How to know the Bangla sentences: As the signs mentioned in the Present Continuous.

Structure: Sub + have been/ has been + verb-ing + obj /ext/complement + for/since +time.

Note: “for” indicates a period of time and “since” a point of time.

Example: I have been reading a book for an hour. He has been suffering from fever since Monday last.