Faculty of Social and Human Sciences

License Course in Political Science and International Relations

English I Field Work

Write about Tenses

Elias Costa Liva. Cód: 96220603

Lichinga, March, 2022.

 UniSCED-OPEN UNIVERSITY

Faculty of Social and Human Sciences

License Course in Political Science and International Relations

English I Field Work

Write about Tenses

Fieldwork of the English I course to be

submitted to the Political Science and
International Relations Course Coordination at
UnISCED, on the recommendation of the
Tutor:

Bia Jafar Aly. Cód: 96220269

Lichinga, March, 2023.

Index

1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 4

1.1. Objective .................................................................................................................. 4

1.1.1. Main goal .................................................................................................. 4

1.1.2. Object specifications ................................................................................. 4

1.2. Methodology ............................................................................................................ 4

2. Write about Tenses ............................................................................................................. 5

2.1. Concept of Tense ..................................................................................................... 5

2.2. Tense ........................................................................................................................ 5

2.2.1. Past Tense ................................................................................................. 7

2.2.2. Simple Past................................................................................................ 7

2.2.3. Past Continuous Tense .............................................................................. 7

2.2.4. Past Perfect Tense ..................................................................................... 8

2.2.5. Past Perfect Continuous Tense.................................................................. 8

2.2.6. Future Tense.............................................................................................. 9

2.2.7. Simple Future ............................................................................................ 9

Future Continuous Tense .................................................................................. 10

2.2.8. Future Perfect Tense ............................................................................... 11

2.2.9. Future Perfect Continuous Tense ............................................................ 12

3. Final considerations .......................................................................................................... 13

4. Bibliographic References .................................................................................................. 14

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1. Introduction

Tense is a grammatical category that expresses time and the state of being of
an action or event. There are three main tenses in English grammar: present, past,
and future. Each tense has a corresponding tense marker, such as the verb “to be” in
the present tense of the verb “will” in the future tense. The use of different tenses
can change the meaning of a sentence, so it is important to choose the right tense
when speaking or writing.
1.1. Objective

1.1.1. Main goal

 Understand the various tense processes

1.1.2. Object specifications

 Conceptualize the tense;

 Describe the various manifestations of the tense.

1.2. Methodology

For the preparation of this research, it was possible to use the method of bibliographic
research. That according to Lakatos and Marconi (1987, p. 66) the bibliography is based on
the survey, selection and treatment of all the bibliography already published on the subject
that is being published, in books, magazines, newspapers, bulletins, monographs, theses,
dissertations, cartographic material, with the objective of putting the researcher in direct
contact with all the material already written about the same.
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2. Write about Tenses

2.1. Concept of Tense

According to Schültz, (2006).

Tense is a grammatical category that expresses time and the state of

being of an action or event. There are three main tenses in English grammar:
present, past, and future. Each tense has a corresponding tense marker, such as
the verb “to be” in the present tense of the verb “will” in the future tense. The
use of different tenses can change the meaning of a sentence, so it is important
to choose the right tense when speaking or writing.
For example, the present tense is used to describe events that are happening now,
while the past tense is used to describe events that have already happened. The future tense is
used to describe events that will happen at some point after the present moment. Tense can
also be used to express aspects such as whether an event is ongoing or completed. For
instance, the progressive aspect is used to describe events that are in progress, while the
perfect aspect is used to describe events that have already been completed.

As you can see, there are many different ways to use tense in English grammar. By
understanding how to use tense correctly, you can communicate more effectively in both
spoken and written English.

2.2. Tense

Tenses denote the time of action. They show when the work is done. They are:

(1) Present Tense

(2) Past Tense
(3) Future Tense

They are further divided into:

Simple Present- It is used to denote scientific facts, universal truths and work done on daily
basis.

Assertive Rule --- sub + V1 + s/e s + object

Example – She writes a letter.

Negative Rule --- sub + does not + v1 + s/es + object

Example – She does not write a letter.

Interrogative Rule --- Does + sub + v1 + s/es + object Example – Does she write a letter?
 6

Interrogative Negative Assertive --- Does + sub + not + v1 + s/es + object

Example – Does she not write a letter?

Present Continuous– It is used to express an action taking place at the time of speaking.

Assertive Rule --- sub + is/am/are + v1 + ing + object Example – she is writing a
letter. Negative Rule --- sub + is/am/are + not + v1 + ing + object Example – She is not
writing a letter. (Totis, 1991).

Interrogative Rule --- is/am/are + sub + v1 + ing + object Example – Is she writing a
letter?

Interrogative Negative Rule --- is/am/are + sub + not + v1 + ing + object Example – Is she
not writing a letter?

Present Perfect– It is used to show an action that started in the past and has just
finished. Assertive Rule --- sub + has/have + v3 + object Example- She has written a letter.

Negative Rule --- sub + has/have + not + v3 + object Example – She has not
written a letter.

Interrogative Rule --- has/have + sub + v3 + object

Example- Has she written a letter?

Interrogative Negative Rule ---has/have + sub + not + v3 + object Example– Has she
not written a letter?

Present Perfect Continuous– This tense shows the action which started in the past and
is still continuing.

Assertive Rule --- sub + has/have + been + v1 + ing + object Example – She has been
writing a letter.

Negative Rule --- sub + has/have + not been + v1 + ing + object

Example– She has not been writing a letter.

Interrogative Rule ---has/have + sub + been + v1 + ing + object

Example – Has she been writing a letter?

Interrogative Negative Rule --- has/have + she + not + been + v1 + ing + object

Example – Has she not been writing a letter?

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2.2.1. Past Tense

Tense symbolizes the ever moving, non-stop wheel of time which is forever busy
gathering moments of future and throwing them into the dustbin of past

Past (before
now)

Simple Past Past Past Perfect

Continuous Past Perfect Continuous

2.2.2. Simple Past

Used to indicate an action completed in the past. It often occurs with adverb of time.
Sometimes it is used without an adverb of time.

Used for past habits.

Eg. I played football when I was a child.

Rule: Subject + V2

Eg She wrote a letter

Assertive Sentences – Subject + V2 + Object + (.) She wrote a letter.

1. Negative Sentences-

Subject + didn’t + V1 + Object + (.)

She didn’t.write a letter.

2. Interrogative Sentences-

Did + Subject + V1 + Object + (?) Did she write a letter?

3. Interrogative Negative Sentences- Did + Subject + not + V1 + Object + (?) Did she
not write a letter?

2.2.3. Past Continuous Tense

Used to denote an action going on at some time in the past.

e.g. I was driving a car. Rule: was/were + ing

 8

1. Assertive Sentences

Subject + was/were +V1+ ing + Object + (.) She was writing a letter.

2. Negative Sentences-

Subject + was/were + not + ing + Object + (.) She was not writing a letter.

3. Interrogative Sentences-

Was/were + Subject + ing+ Object + (?) Was she writing a letter?

Interrogative Negative Sentences-

Was/were + Subject + not + ing+ Object + (?) Was she not writing a letter?

2.2.4. Past Perfect Tense

Used to describe an action completed before a certain moment in the

past, usually a long time ago. If two actions happened in the past, past perfect
is used to show the action that took place earlier. (Totis, 1991).
e.g. The patient had died before the doctor came.

Assertive Sentences

Subject + had + V3 + Object + (.) She had written a letter.

Negative Sentences-

Subject + had + not + Object + (.) She had not written a letter.

Interrogative Sentences

Had + Subject + V3 + Object + (?) Had she written a letter?

Interrogative Negative Sentences- Had + Subject + not + V3 + Object + (?) Had she
not written a letter?

2.2.5. Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Used to denote an action that began before a certain point in the past and continued up
to some time in past.

e.g. I had been learning English in this school for 20 days.

Assertive Sentences

Subject + had been +V1 + ing + Object + (.) She had been writing a letter.

Negative Sentences
 9

Subject + had + not been + V1+ ing + Object + (.) She had not been writing a letter.

Interrogative Sentences

Had + Subject+ been+ V1 + ing + Object + (?) Had she been writing a letter?

Interrogative Negative Sentences-

Had + Subject +not + been + V1 + ing + Object + (?) Had she not been writing a
letter?

2.2.6. Future Tense

Time and tide wait for no man. So, a period of time following the moment of speaking
or writing is called as future tense.

For e.g- She will write a letter.

Tense

Past (before Future (After

Present (now)
now) now)

Future Future Perfect

Simple Future Future Perfect
Continuous Continuous

2.2.7. Simple Future

This tense tells us about an action which has not occurred yet and will occur after
saying or in future

Rule – Will/Shall + Verb (Ist form)

In Future Tense helping verb ‘Shall’ is used with ‘I’ and ‘We’. Helping verb ‘Will’ is
used with all others. When you are to make a commitment or warn someone or emphasize
something, use of 'will/shall' is reversed. ‘Will’ is used with ‘I’ & ‘We’ and 'shall' is used with
others.
 10

General speaking there is hardly any difference between 'shall & will' and normally
‘Will’ is used with all.

Now, let us use this rule in various forms of sentences;

Positive / Affirmative Sentences

Subject + Will/Shall + Verb (Ist form) + Object + (.) She will write a letter.

Negative Sentences

Subject + Will/Shall + Not + Verb (Ist form) + Object + (.) She will not write a letter.

Interrogative Sentences-

Will/Shall + Subject + Verb (Ist form) + Object + (?) Will she write a letter?

Interrogative Negative Sentences-

Will/Shall + Subject + Not + Verb (Ist form) + Object + (?) Will she not write a letter?

Future Continuous Tense

It is used to express an ongoing or continued action in future.

e.g. He will be distributing sweets in temple tomorrow at 12 o'clock.

In the example, the action will start in future (tomorrow) and action is thought to be
continued till sometime in future.

We use the future continuous to talk about something that will be in progress at or
around a time in the future.

Rule: Will/Shall + Be + Verb (Ist form) + Ing

Now, let us use this rule in various forms of sentences;

Positive / Affirmative Sentences

Subject + Will/Shall + Be + Verb (Ist form) + Ing + Object + (.) She will be writing a
letter.

Negative Sentences

Subject + Will/Shall + Not + Be + Verb (Ist form) + Ing + Object + (.) She will not be
writing a letter.
 11

Interrogative Sentences-

Will/Shall + Subject + Be + Verb (Ist form) + Ing + Object + (?)

Will she be writing a letter?

Interrogative Negative Sentences-

Will/Shall + Subject + Not + Be + Verb (Ist form) + Ing + Object + (?) Will she not be
writing a letter?

2.2.8. Future Perfect Tense

It is used to express an action which will happen/occur in future and will be completed
by a certain time in future. (Pallú, 2013).

We use the future perfect to say that something will be finished by a particular time in
the future.

e.g. They will have shifted the house by Sunday morning.

Rule: Will/Shall + Have + Verb (3rd form)

Now, let us use this rule in various forms of sentences;

Positive / Affirmative Sentences

Subject + Will/Shall + Have + Verb (3rd form) + Object + (.) She will have written a
letter.

Negative Sentences-

Subject + Will/Shall + Not + Have + Verb (3rd form) + Object + (.) She will not have
written a letter.

Interrogative Sentences

Will/Shall + Subject + Have + Verb (3rd form) + Object + (?) Will she have written a
letter?

Interrogative Negative Sentences

Will/Shall + Subject + Not + Have + Verb (3rd form) + Object + (?) Will she not have
written a letter?
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2.2.9. Future Perfect Continuous Tense

It is used to talk about actions that will commence at a fix time in future and will
continue for some time in future.

If there is no time reference, then it is not a Future perfect continuous tense.

Without continued time reference, such sentences are Future

Continuous Tense. Continued time reference only differentiates between
Future Continuous Tense and Future Perfect Continuous Tense. (Pallú, 2013).
The future perfect progressive emphasize the duration of an activity that will be in
progress before another time or event in the future.

e.g. This time tomorrow, I will be enjoying the cricket match in the stadium.

It is also used to talk about planned actions or actions expected to happen.

e.g. They will be staying for a week’s

The future perfect progressive emphasize the duration of an activity that will be in
progress before another time or event in the future.

Rule: Will/Shall + Have been + Verb (Ist form) + Ing

Now, let us use this rule in various forms of sentences;

Positive / Affirmative Sentences

Subject + Will/Shall + Have been + Verb (Ist form) + Ing + Object + (.) She will have
been writing a letter.

Negative Sentences

Subject + Will/Shall + Not + Have been + Verb (Ist form) + Ing + Object+ (.) She will
not have been writing a letter.

Interrogative Sentences

Will/Shall + Subject + Have been + Verb (Ist form) + Ing + Object +(?) Will she have
been writing a letter?

Interrogative Negative Sentences

Will/Shall + Subject + Not + Have been + Verb (Ist form) + Ing + Object +(?) Will
she not have been writing a letter?
 13

3. Final considerations

At the end of this work, I could understand that, Tenses denote the time of action.
They show when the work is done. Tense is a grammatical category that expresses time and
the state of being of an action or event. There are three main tenses in English grammar:
present, past, and future.
 14

4. Bibliographic References

Pallú, N. M. (2013). What English do we use and teach? teachers' reinterpretations of the
contemporary English teaching and learning process. Curitiba.

Schültz, R. (2006). "What Does 'Know' Vocabulary Mean?" English Made in Brazil.

Totis, V. P. (1991). English Language: Reading. São Paulo: Cortez.- (2nd degree teaching
collection. General training series