RULES OF TENSES

Abbreviations used in the presentation

• S - Subject• O - Object• V1 - First form of the

verb• V2 - Second form of

the verb• V3 - Third form of the

verb

Simple Present 1.If Subject is Singular: S + V1 + s/es + O E.g.: Alec sells toffees.2.If Subject is Plural: S + V1 + O E.g.: Children perform on

the stage.

Present Continuous

1. If Subject is singular: S + is/am + V1 + ing + O E.g.: He is flying the kite.2. If Subject is plural: S + are+ V1 + ing + O E.g.: They are flying kites. ‘am’ is used with ‘I’. ‘is’ is used with

‘he/she’. ‘are’ is used with ‘we/they/you’.

Present Perfect1.If Subject is Singular: S + has + V3 + O E.g.: He has finished his work.2.If Subject is Plural: S + have + V3 + O E.g.: They have finished their

work.

Present Perfect Continuos

1.If Subject is Singular: S + has + been + V1 + ing + since/for

+ O E.g.: He has been dancing for four

hours.2.If Subject is Plural: S + have + V1 + ing + since/for + O E.g.: We have been doing the work

since 7:00a.m.

Simple Past

Whether the Subject is singular or plural, rule remains the same:

S + V2 + O John bought two toffees.

Past Continuos1. If Subject is singular:

S + was + V1 + ing + O E.g.: He was eating

Pasta.2. If Subject is plural: S + were + V1 + ing + O E.g.: They were flying

kites.

Past Perfect

Whether the Subject is singular or plural, rule remains the same:

S + had + V3 + O E.g.: He had killed the snake.

Past Perfect Continuous

Whether the Subject is singular or plural, rule remains the same:

S + had + been + V1 + ing + since/for + O

E.g.:They had been talking for over an hour.

Simple Fututre

Whether the Subject is singular or plural, rule remains the same:

S + will/shall + V1 + O E.g.: She will go there in the

evening.

Future Continuous

Whether the Subject is singular or plural, rule remains the same:

S + will/shall + be + V1 + + ing + O

E.g.: They will be running tomorrow.

Future Perfect Whether the Subject is

singular or plural, rule remains the same:

S + will/shall + have + V3 + O

E.g.: Tom will have finished the work.

Future Perfect Continuous

Whether the Subject is singular or plural, rule remains the same:

S + will/shall + have + been + V1 + ing + O

E.g.: Jane will have been dancing on the stage tomorrow.