PART A
Unit I (Foundation Module)
The Function of Tenses
Atense may be defined as that form of averb which indicates the time and the state
of an action or event. In this manner, a verb may refer to
(A) Time of an Action (Tense)
For example
(i) He goes to school. (Present time of an action)
(iü) He went to school. (Past tine of an action)
(ii) He will go to school. (Future time of an action)
are three
From the above sentences, it will be clear to the students that there
main tenses.
2. The Past tense 3. The Future tense
1. The Present tense
(B) State of an Actlon (Function of Tenses)
For exanmple
(i) Iwrite letters regularly. (PRvent tnse, Habitual fuwtion)
(ii) Iamn writing a letter. (Prescent Continuons tense. Progressire function)
(üi) Ihave just written a letter. (Present Perfect tense, Preccding function)
sometime.
(iv) Ihave been writing a letter for
(Present Perfect Contimuous tense, Time expression)
(C) Time Frame of a Tense
structure of tenses, we
We have three time frames and in order to get a complete
as follows
should briefly know each one of them. These are
time. e.g., in l947,
() Point of time is that time which denotes a specific/proper
on Monday, etc.
specific duration of time. e..,
(ii) Period of time is that time which denotes a
etc.
from 1930 to 1950, from Monday to Saturday, of
(ii) Expression of time denotes the combination of both a point and a period
1950, etc.
time. ce., winter 1947, summer
2
The Tenses and their Object
Functions
ive Genera:.
The Present Indefinite Tense
(A) This tense is generally
used to
custom, pr-Haactbiictue,alATe;
denote 'habit,
action, permanent activity, general
These ideas are expressed by the truth',, etc.
usually, never, adverbs of
frequently, occassionally,
rarely, daily', etc. sometimes,frequency such as 'often.,slk
For cxample
(i) The old lady
normally, generaly, ah.
(ü) Pearl usually goes for awalk in the
(ii) Arnav often gets believes everybody. morning daily.
(iv) Suhani late for lunch.
(v) Shauryaalways comes in time.
(B)This tense is seldom gets up late.
also used to
nature and activity make a
For example of the statement
subject in the
and eternal present showing permane
(i) I know him
(iü) He well. principles.
(iüi) Theteaches in St. Xavier
(v) cow givesmilk. College.
Rivers freeze at high
(v)
(vi) Plants boils at 100°C.altitude.
Water
prepare their own food.
Additional Uses of Present
His(1)toricNow,al Present Indefinite Tense
(ü) Now, Netaji enters and
Arjun sho0ts arrowsaddresses the Indian soldiers.
Futu1)re Arrangement at
Bhishma.
The Pime
(u) He
leaves for Mihisnisjobter arrives from New York tomorrow.
next week
Work Book Exercise A
of
Directions Cornplete the
verbs
1. Busesgiven in the
suitabetorms
lense with
2. Apples brOnacketthiss sentences USing Present Indefinite
3. Meena. I road eyery (gel
4. ipe in autumn. hour: (dance)
5. He
The last bus on the stage. (eave)
dinornnermalyat 8aS
(nothavel
at midnight.
bjective General English 3
Present Continuous Tense -Progressivr Action
A) This tense is nomally used for an action in progress. that is temporarr in
nature (not for a permanent activity). inthe present at the time of speaking.
For cuample
(i) She is not working She is swimming in the river.
(ti) It is raining outside.
B) It also expresses future action or adefinite arrangement in the near future.
For amplk
(i) Iam going to the cinema tomorrow.
(a) She is coming next week.
dditional Uses of Present Continuous Tense
C)Continuous tense with 'always' may express an idea which is not to the liking of
the speaker.
For cxample
(i) She is always teaching her children.
(ü) He is alwavs praising his friends.
D)There are some of the verbs which sometimne don't admit of progressive action.
Such verbs arecalled Non-progressive verbs (Stative verbs).
These include
(i) Verbs of Perception : See, taste, smell, hear, prefer, please.
(iü) Verbs of Thinking Process : Think, know, mean, mind.
(iü) Verbs Showing Possession :Own, have, belong, comprise, possess, contain.
(ir) Verbs Expressing Feelings or State of Mind: Believe, like, love, want.
wish, desire, hate.
(v) Verbs in General : Look, seem, appear, affect, resemble, cost, require, stand,
face, become.
a) Study these sentences carefully.
Incorrect Correct
He owns a car.
1. He is owning acar.
2. We are hearing the bell. We hear the bell.
3. This house is belonging to me. This house belongs to me.
4. Iam not hating him. Idon't hate him.
). Are you forgetting my name? Have you forgetten my name?
6. Iam not meaning this. Idon't mean this.
/. Iam having no house to live in. Ihave no house to live in.
8. She stands in the shade of a tree. She is standing in the shade of atree.
9 The temple is standing in the heart Thetemple stands in the heart
of the city. of the city.
10. The book is containing good The book contains good
subject-matter. subject-mnatter.
