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TENSES (E-2023)

Tense defined:( The word tense comes from the Latin word tempus ; means time)

Tense is the form of a verb which shows the time at which an event occurs and the degree of
completeness or incompleteness of the event. Briefly speaking Tense shows:

(a) The time of an action (b) its degree of completeness

A verb has three main times or tenses: the Present, the Past and the Future, but to indicate shades of
meaning , each tense has four different forms: Indefinite; Continuous; Perfect and Perfect
Continuous.

TENSE INDEFINITE CONTINUOUS PERFECT PERFECT

( PROGRESSIVE) CONTINUOUS
( PROGRESSIVE)
Present I write a letter. I am writing a I have written a I have been
letter. letter. writing a letter
since yesterday.
Past I wrote a letter. I was writing a I had written a I had been writing
letter when he letter when he a letter for two
came. came. hours when he
came.
Future I shall write a I shall be writing a I shall have I shall have been
letter. letter. written a letter. writing a letter for
two hours.
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1. THE PRESENT INDEFINITE OR SIMPLE PRESENT.

Form: Third person Singular + infinitive+s/es He/she/Ahmed writes a letter. It runs very fast.

I / plural+ infinitive I/we/you/They write a letter.

Formation of verb of simple present tense for third person singular ( he/she/it)

a. When the verb ends in a consonant + y , it is formed by removing the –y and adding –ies.

I study in class X. But He studies in class X.

b. When the verb ends in -ch, -sh, -s, -x, -z or –o, the verb for third person singular is formed by
adding –es.

I go to school daily. But She goes to school daily.

I watch movies. But He watches movies.

The Present indefinite is used to denote the following:

(a) What is always and necessarily true.

1. The sun rises in the east.
2. The earth moves round the sun.
3. Honey is sweet.
(b) What is permanent or habitual in the life or character of a person, or to talk about things that
happen regularly:
1. He loves comfort.
2. He is always late.
3. He is fond of movies.
4. She leaves for school at 8 o’clock.
5. What time do you catch the bus?
(c) What is to happen in future provided future time is expressed by the context.
1. When do you fly ( will you fly) for Paris?
2. Aslam comes( will come) to us next month.
(d) A past event . It is called Historic Present.
1. In the movie the hero rescues the heroine by risking his own life.
2. After his enthronement Akbar invites all Rajput chieftains to Delhi.
(e) While quoting authors, poets:
1. The poet says, “You yet may spy the fawn at play”.
2. The author says, “My father’s disgrace is mine”
(f) Commentators in live sp "orting events use the Present Indefinite instead of the present
continuous tense.

1. Ball goes to Imran and again goes to Ali . But not : Ball is going to Imran and again going to
Ali.
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COMMON MISTAKES COMMITTED BY STUDENTS IN THE USE OF THE PRESENT INDEFINITE

(a) While writing the summary of a poem, story or extract some students write some sentences in the
historic present Tense and others in the Past Tense. This is wrong. The whole of the summary
should be written either in the past or in the Present tense.

(Incorrect) The prisoner goes to the king and said that he was innocent. The king releases
him and he went to his native country.
(Correct) The prisoner goes to the king and says that he is innocent. The king releases him
and he goes to his native country.
(Correct) The prisoner went to the king and said that he was innocent. The king released
him and he went to his native country.
(b) Sometimes students use the Past Tense when they are expressing what is always and
necessarily true. This is wrong.
1) Incorrect: War was a great calamity.
Correct: War is a great calamity.
Incorrect: Everyone knows that women were physically weaker than men.
Correct: Everyone knows that women are physically weaker than men.
2 THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS (PROGRESSIVE)

Form: I+ am+infinitive+ing I am writing .

Singular + is +infinitive+ing He/She/ Ahmed is writing. It is running very fast.
Plural + are +infinitive+ing You/We/They are writing.

Formation of verb of present continuous tense ( -ing form)

1. If the word is a single syllable word and ends with a consonant and is
preceded by a short single vowel, the consonant is doubled before adding –
ing.
Example: Put= putting, sit = sitting beg = begging, drop= dropping

But if a verb ends with consonant x , the consonant x will not be doubled
because the letter “X” is blend of two consonants “ks”.
Example: fix = fixing, box= boxing (v) fax= faxing
2. If the word is a two syllable word and the stress come on the second syllable
and it ends in a consonant, the last consonant should be doubled.
Example: begin = beginning , permit = permitting vomit = vomiting
3. If the word is a two syllable word and the stress comes on the first syllable ,
then the last consonant is not doubled.
Example: happen = happening, enter = entering
4. If the word ends with –e . Just drop the final e and add ing.
Example: Dance= dancing, make = making, take = taking
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The Present Continuous tense is used to express an action that is going on at the time of
speaking.
For example: I am teaching means I am still teaching and I have not finished teaching.

This tense is also used sometimes to express a habit:

For example: I am taking exercise daily. Aslam and Anwar are always fighting.

To talk about something that is not yet finished, even if you are not doing it at the
moment you are talking:

I’m learning Italian. She’s writing a novel.

Occasionally this tense may be used to express a future tense provided the future time is
mentioned..

For example: He is going to Peshawar next week.

I am going to attend his wedding ceremony tomorrow.
The kids are arriving at six o’clcok.
He is flying to Japan tomorrow.

This tense can be used when speaking about current trends:

For example: Shopping online is growing in popularity nowadays.

The prices are rising constantly due to falling economy.

COMMON MISTAKES COMMITTED BY STUDENTS IN THE USE OF THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE

Some students confuse the Present continuous with the Present Indefinite Tense:

Incorrect: The author is advising us to give up the habit of smoking.

Correct: The author advises us to give up the habit of smoking.
Incorrect: In the morning I am reading the Quran.
Correct: In the morning I read the Quran.

Note: Some verbs are not used in the progressive (continuous) tenses, for example involve know,
like, love, want , need, agree, seem, understand, smell, hear, hate etc. These verbs refer to a state ,
not an action. (list of such verbs is in the chapter of verbs)

Correct Incorrect
Believe I don’t believe the news. I am not believing the news.
Involve The job involves a lot of travelling The job is involving a lot of travelling.
Know I know you. I am knowing you.
Like I like reading detective stories. I am liking reading detective stories.
Love I love chocolate. I’m loving chocolate.
Want I want to go to the restaurant. I am wanting to go to the restaurant.
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3. THE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

Form: ( I + Plural)+ have + pp I/we/They/you have written a letter.

Third person Singular + has + pp Aslam/she/he has written a letter.

The Present perfect is used to express an action that was begun in the past and that is completed in the
present( immediate past) . It connects a completed event in some sense or other with the present.

Example: The candle has gone out ( means candle has just gone out)
She’s had an accident and she’s in the hospital now.
I have talked to him this morning.
It has just struck ten.
He has not looked. Has he looked?
To talk about something that happened during a period of time that is not yet finished:

He still hasn’t visited her.

The train has been late three times this week.
I’ve had three cups of tea today. (today is not finished)

When the time in the past is not mentioned, or is not important.

He has written a book.

We have bought a new computer.

Used with for and since to show the duration of an action or state until the present:

I have worked here since 1993.

She hasn’t bought any new books for years.

Note: If an action is finished in the past and is not connected with the present in any case, past tense
should be used.

Example: I lived in Karachi seven years ago.

He failed in the Intermediate examination last year.

Here the completed events have nothing to do with the present.

Therefore, the Present Perfect Tense is used when we are interested in the present and when the past
action interests us only for its effect on the present.

I have cut my finger ( and it is bleeding now)

I have finished my work ( means now I am free)
Present perfect is used to give news or talk about recent events.

She’s had a baby girl.

The value of dollar has risen in the recent weeks.
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Generally an indication of our interest in the present is given by the use of some such words as:

This year, this week, just, just now, now, not yet, yet, ever, yet, already etc.

Thus we say:

I have passed the B.A Examination this year.

He has returned from France this week.

The train has just arrived.

I have received this news just now.

He has not yet gone to the bank.

Have you ever been here before?

He has already reached home.

COMMON MISTAKES COMMITTED BY STUDENTS IN THE USE OF THE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

(A) Some students confuse the Present Perfect with the Past Tense.

Incorrect: She just finished her assignment.

Correct: She has just finished her assignment.
Incorrect: I lost my key and cannot open the door.
Correct: I have lost my key and cannot open the door.
Incorrect: He has gone to Lahore yesterday.
Correct: He went to Lahore yesterday.

Note: We use the simple past to talk about the origin of something present.

Who wrote that? ( Not : Who has written that?)

Bill gave me this necklace. ( Not Bill has given me this necklace)

(B) Some students use the Present Tense where the Present Perfect Tense should be used.

Incorrect: I am ill for the last two months.

Correct: I have been ill for the last two months

Incorrect: He is absent since Monday.

Correct: He has been absent since Monday.

Incorrect: You are sad for the last so many days.

Correct: You have been sad for the last so many days.
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4. THE PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE.

Form : ( I + Plural)+have+been+infinitive+ing I /we/they/you have been writing a letter since

yesterday.

( Singular) + has+been+infinitive+ing Aslam/He/she has been writing a letter since yesterday.

It has been raining since last Monday.

I have been working for the last ten hours.

This tense expresses an action begun in the past and still continuing in the present.

For instance: “ He has been reading this book since eight o’clock”. This means that he started reading
the book at eight O’clock and was still reading it at the time of speaking.

He has been learning English for several years.

To talk about an activity that has finished, but whose results are visible now:

My hands are dirty because I have been cleaning the board.

The road is wet. It have been raining.

COMMON MISTAKES COMMITTED BY STUDENTS IN THE USE OF THE PRESENT

PERFECTCONTINUOUSTENSE.

Incorrect: He is reading this book since five O’clock.

Correct: He has been reading this book since five O’clock.

Incorrect: Plague is raging in our town for the last three months.

Correct: Plague has been raging in our town for the last three months.

Incorrect: I am living in Kandiaro for the last ten years.

Correct: I have been living in Kandiaro for the last ten years.

Incorrect: The child is crying since this morning.

Correct: The child has been crying since this morning.

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5. THE PAST INDEFINITE TENSE OR SIMPLE PAST TENSE

Form: Regular verbs: Infinitive + ed I played football yesterday.

Irregular verbs: 2nd form of verb I wrote a letter yesterday.

Formation of verb of past indefinite tense(2nd form of the regular verb)

1.If a regular verb ends with “ e”, only “d” is added to form 2nd form of the verb.

2. With other regular verbs except the rules given below, we just add “ ed” to form 2 nd form
of the verb.

3. When the verb ends in a consonant + y , it is formed by removing the –y and adding –ied.

Study = He studied in class X.

Copy= I copied the notes in my register.

4. If the word is a single syllable word and ends with a consonant and is preceded by a stressed
single vowel, the consonant is doubled before adding –ed ( except words ending with W
or Y ).
Example:tag= tagged, beg = begged
But : sew = sewed , play = played

5. But if a verb ends with consonant x , the consonant x will not be doubled because the
letter “X” is blend of two consonants “ks”.
Example: fix = fixed, box= boxed (v) fax= faxed
6. If the word is a two syllable word and the stress come on the second syllable and it ends in a
consonant, the last consonant should be doubled.
Example:permit = permitted , refer = referred, admit = admitted
7. If the word is a two syllable word and the stress comes on the first syllable , then the last
consonant is not doubled.
Example: happen = happened, enter = entered

But the verbs ending with “l” are doubled even if the stress comes on the first syllable:

Example: travel = travelled control = controlled

8. When the verb ends in “c” the past simple is formed by adding –ked.

Example: picnic = picnicked panic = panicked

Note: Irregular verbs have their own forms and are not governed bya the above rules.
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Past indefinite tense is used to indicate an action that was begun and completed in the past. It totally
excludes all references to the present time.

Example: Columbus discovered America.

I met him in Karachi.
He went to Lahore yesterday..
It is also used to talk about actions happened regularly in the past.

I often played badminton with him.

He always won the matches.
They never went to cinema when they lived in Saudi Arabia.

6. THE PAST PERFECT TENSE

Form: had + pp ( third form of verb)

The guests had left before I got home.
When I got to the station, the train had left.

This tense is used when some action has been completed before a certain moment in the past.
Generally the verb expressing the previous action is put into the Past Perfect Tense and the verb
expressing the subsequent action is put into the Past Indefinite.
NB: For use of the Past Perfect Tense there must be two actions, the first of which is completed
before the second begins . If there are no two actions then there must be a certain moment or point
of time.

Previous Action (past perfect) Subsequent action( Past Indefinite)

I had written the letter, when he arrived.
Ahmed had been ill for a week, when the doctor was sent for.
Hardly had I reached the station when the train departed.
You had studied Italian before you moved to Rome.

OR
Subsequent action ( Past Indefinite)Previous Action (past perfect)

The chickens fled in confusion, for a cat had appeared on the scene
Before he ascended the throne, the Rajputs had organized themselves.

Past perfect is used to show that an action happened before a specific time in the past.

1.She had established her company before 2008.

2.He had never played football until last week.
3.I had fallen asleep before eight o’clock.
Another use of past perfect tense includes reported speech.

1. The teacher asked if we had studied for the exam.

2. The usher asked if we had purchased our tickets.
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3. My neighbour asked if we had seen his dog.

Past perfect tense can also be used to show dissatisfaction with the past.

I wished I had told the truth.

He wished he had seen his friend.

Some more sentences of Past perfect:

I had never seen such a beautiful sunset before I went to the island.
We were not able to stay overnight at the hotel since we had not reserved a room in
advance.
I had been to Mexico once before.
If I had seen him, I would have told him the news.
She had lived in California before moving to Texas.

Look at these two sentences

James had cooked breakfast when we got up.
James cooked breakfast when we got up.

In the first sentence, the past perfect tells us that James cooked breakfast before we got up. In the
second sentence, first we got up and then James cooked breakfast.

COMMON MISTAKES COMMITTED BY STUDENTS IN THE USE OF THE PAST INDEFINITE & THE PAST
PERFECT TENSE

Incorrect: I had gone to Peshawar two days ago.

Correct: I went to Peshawar two days ago.
Incorrect: I had written you a letter two weeks ago.
Correct: I wrote you a letter two weeks ago.
Incorrect: I had bought this cap at a village fair.
Correct: I bought this cap at a village fair.
Incorrect: I had received your letter yesterday.
Correct: I received your letter yesterday.
Incorrect: He left for Lahore before I reached his home.
Correct: He had left for Lahore before I reached his home.
Incorrect: The goats fled in haste for a leopard entered the fold.
Correct: The goats fled in haste for a leopard had entered the fold.
Incorrect: Before he came to Pakistan he visited many countries on the continent.
Correct: Before he came to Pakistan he had visited many countries on the continent.
Incorrect: The Romans had spoken Latin.
Correct: The Romans spoke Latin.
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7. THE PAST CONTINUOUS ( PROGRESSIVE) TENSE:

Form: (Singular/I )+ was + infinitive + ing He/she/I was eating.

(plural) + were + infinitive + ing We/they/you were eating.
(note: same rules for forming –ing form of the verb will prevail as mentioned in Present
continuous tense)

This tense is used to express an action that was in progress at a particular time in the past .

What were you doing in the summer of 1999?.

Was it raining when you left home?
At six o’clock this morning I was sleeping.
What were you doing at 09.30 last night?
I was reading a book at 09.30 last night.

It is also used to talk about something that was already in progress when something else
happened.( simple past is used for the action which interrupts it)

The doorbell rang while they were having breakfast.

When I was walking in the garden, I saw a snake.
I was watching TV when he called.
While John was sleeping last night, someone stole his car.

Note: As with the present progressive, this tense cannot be used with “state “verbs like: need, want,
know, agree, seem, understand, smell, hear, hate etc. These verbs refer to a state , not an action.

Example: The fresh bread smelled wonderful. ( not: was smelling)

COMMON MISTAKES COMMITTED BY STUDENTS IN THE USE OF PAST INDEFINITE INSTEAD OF PAST
CONTINUOUS TENSE

Incorrect: The thief was seen as he jumped over the wall.

Correct: The thief was seen as he was jumping over the wall.
Incorrect: He met an accident as he drove along the Queen’s road.
Correct: He met an accident as he was driving along the Queen’s road.
Incorrect: The police arrested the murderer just as he entered the bus.
Correct: The police arrested the murderer just as he was entering the bus.
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8. THE PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS (PROGRESSIVE) TENSE.

Form: had + been + infinitive + ing

This tense is used for an action that began before a certain point in the past and was still in progress
at that point of time. We can also say: The past perfect continuous tense is used to express how long
something had been going on before something else happened in the past.

Example: Mr. Ghanghro had already been teaching Biology for two years , when Mr. Jumani joined the
academy.

Ahmed had been writing his homework for two hours when his friend came.
She had been living there since long when she met Shazia.
By the time Jane arrived we had been waiting for three hours.

9. THE FUTURE INDEFINITE TENSE

Form: shall/ will + infinitive I/we shall visit the museum tomorrow.
I hope you will come to use tomorrow.

This tense is used to express an action that will take place in future time.

Example: I shall play cricket .

I will read this book tomorrow.

RULES FOR USING “SHALL” AND “WILL”

Rule 1. In assertive sentences merely future time is denoted by “shall “in the first person and by
“ will” in the second and third persons.

Example: I shall read. We shall read. She will read. He will read. They will read. You will read.

Rule 2. When a “command” or “promise” or “threat” is to be expressed then “ shall” is used with the
second and third persons.

Examples:

You shall go. ( I command you to go)

He shall go .(I command him to go)
They shall go. ( I command them to go )
You shall receive your prize tomorrow. ( promise)
If you do this, you shall be hanged . ( threat)
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Rule 3. When some intention is to be expressed “will” is used with the first person instead of “ shall”.

Example: I will call on you today, and I shall then say goodbye. Here the first verb denotes the
intention of calling, while the second denotes merely future time.

I will help you. ( I intend to help you)

We will help you. ( we intend to help you)

MISTAKES COMMITTED BY STUDENTS IN THE USE OF “SHALL” AND ‘ WILL”

Incorrect: We shall die rather than surrender.

Correct: We will die rather than surrender.
Incorrect: You will obey my order.
Correct: You shall obey my order.
Incorrect: Will I go home tomorrow ?
Correct: Shall I go home tomorrow?
Incorrect: Will I teach you next week?
Correct: Shall I teach you next week?

10. THE FUTURE PERFECT TENSE

Form: will + have + pp You will have finished the match by six O’clock.

This tense is used to indicate the completion of an action by a certain future time.

Example; Before you go to see him, he will have departed for Karachi.
He will have crossed the frontier before the Police arrives.
They will have lived here for four years in December.

11. THE FUTURE CONTINUOUS (PROGRESSIVE) TENSE.

Form: will + be + infinitive + ing I will be waiting for him when his train arrives tonight.

This tense represents an action as going on at some time in future time.

Example: When I get home, my children will be playing.

I shall be teaching you narration next month.
They will be living in their house next month.

12. THE FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE.

Form: will + have + been + infinitive +ing You will have been waiting for more than two hours
when his plane finally arrives.
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This tense denotes an action started some time earlier and continuing beyond some given moment in
future time.

Example 1: In December next , Pakistan army will have been fighting against terrorists for ten years. (
This means that it will be ten years since Pakistan army began to fight and it shall be still fighting in
December next).

Example 2: In June next I shall have been serving education department for 25 years. ( This means that
next June it will be 25 years since I started serving education department, and I shall be still serving
there .)

Example 3: Mir Muhammad will have been working here for fifteen years in December .

SEQUENCE OF TENSES.
Rule.1 If main verb of a sentence is in Paste Tense , it must be followed by a Past Tense in the
Dependent clause.

Examples:

1. You said that you met my cousin.

2. He said that he had seen the shop.
3. I was inquiring what you had decided.
4. I never understood why he disliked you.
5. She noticed that someone was following her.

Note: There is one exception to this rule. The Past Tense in the Principal clause should be followed by
Present Indefinite Tense in the dependent clause if dependent clause expresses a universal or
habitual fact.

1. He said that the earth moves round the sun.

2. She said that the sun sets in the west.
3. He hated me more than he hates you

1 (a) If two actions in a sentence are shown happening in the past, one after the other, the tense of
the action happening first should be past perfect and that of the second should be past indefinite.

Incorrect: The patient died before the doctor arrived.

Correct: The patient had died before the doctor arrived.

1..(b) Two actions in the past, one depending on the other, should have the sequence as follows:

Past perfect + Future perfect

Had + past participle, would have + past participle.
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If you had worked hard, you would have succeeded in the examinations.
If you had practiced regularly, you would have won the match.

Rule:2 If there is a Present or Future Tense in the Principal clause, it can be followed by any tense
whatever in the Dependent clause.

Examples:

1. He knows that you are honest.

2. He knows that you have been honest.
3. He knows that you were honest.
4. He knows that you had been honest.
5. He knows that you will be honest.
6. I have discovered who the man is.
7. I have discovered who the man was.
8. I have discovered who the man will be.
9. I shall tell him what you eat.
10. I shall tell him what you had eaten.
11. I shall tell him what you have been eating.
12. I shall tell him what you ate.
13. I shall tell him what you have eaten.

Rule:3 When the Dependent clause is introduced by a conjunction of purpose, the verb in the
Dependent clause must be expressed by “ may” if the verb in the Principal clause is in the Present or
Future Tense. ( in this case the verb after “may” certainly will be in in present tense)

Present: He works hard that he may win a prize,

He is working hard that he may win a prize.
He has been working hard that he may win a prize.
I eat so that I may live.
Future: He will work hard that he may win a prize.
He will be working hard that he may win a prize.
I shall nurse him so that he may live.
Rule:4 When the Dependent clause is introduced by a conjunction of purpose, the verb in the Dependent
clause must be expressed by “ might” if the verb in the Principal clause is in the Past Tense .

Example: He worked hard that he might win a prize.

He was working hard that he might win a prize.
Rule 5. When the Dependent clause is introduced by “than” ( conjunction of comparison), the verb
in the Principal clause as well as in dependent clause ,may be in any tense.

Examples:

1. He hates me more than he hates you.

2. He hates me more than he hated you.
3. He hated me more than he hates you.
4. He hated me more than he hated you.
5. He will hate me more than he hated you.
6. He has hated me more than he hated you.
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7. He liked you better than he likes me.

8. He helped him more than he helps his own children.

CONDITIONAL SENTENCES
There are three types of conditional sentences usually known as Type-I, Type-II and Type-III.

Type-I

Type If-clause Main clause Condition

I Present tense Will or modal + infinitive(without to) Possible to fulfill

In Type-I conditional; after if, we normally use a present tense to talk about future.

If I get enough time tomorrow, I will come and see you. ( not If I will get )

An if-clause can come at the beginning or end of a sentence. When it comes first, it is often separated
by a comma (,) in writing.

If you study, you will pass the examination. You will pass the examination if you study.
If I become President of Pakistan, I will reduce the taxes. ( said a candidate in elections)
If you study, you will not fail the examination.
If you do not study, you will fail the examination.

But we can use will in the if-clause when we make a request.

If you’ll just wait a moment, I’ll find someone to help you ( = please wait a moment)

We can use type-I conditionals with modal verbs.

If you need a ticket, I can get you one.

If the fog gets thicker, the plane may be diverted.
If your documents are in order, you may/can leave at once .( permission)
If you want to lose weight, you must /should eat less bread.

We sometimes use the present simple in both clauses.. In such sentences “if” expresses certainty
rather than possibility. Such sentences are called ZERO CONDITIONALS.

If you mix blue and red, you get purple.

If you heat water, it boils. If you press that switch,the OHP turns on.

( This means that one thing always follows automatically from another. Pressing the switch always
results in the OHP turning on.)
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Type-II

Type If-clause Main clause Condition

II If +Past simple Would + infinitive without to Condition in theory possible to fulfill.

This structure is used to talk about
things that are not real or not
probable or less probable now.

If I became President of Pakistan, I would reduce the taxes. ( said by a school boy)
If someone tried to disrupt the lecture, I would oust him. (This refers to future event. The meaning here
is future)
If I lived near my office, I would reach office in time. ( But I don’t live near my office)
If she didn’t buy so many clothes, she’d save enough money for food.
If I had a million dollars, I would build a big house.

Some times we can use ‘could’ to mean ‘ would be able to’

If you arrived early, we could talk about the meeting.
If I could sell my car, I could buy a flat. ( here could with if is used as past tense of can)

The main clause often has would. We can also use could or might.

If Tariq worked harder, he might do even better at his studies.

If we had a calculator , we could work quicker.

We normally do not use would in if-clause but we can use would in if-clause when we make a
request.

If you’d like to come this way, the doctor will see you now. ( = please come this way)
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Type-III

Type If-clause Main clause Condition

III If +Past perfect Would have + past participle Condition not possible to fulfill ( too late)

This structure is used to talk about unreal

past events and situations- about how
things could have been different.

(This refers to past event. If A had happened, B would have followed. But A did not happen , so B
did not follow)

If you had told me the truth, I would have respected you. ( But you didn’t, so I didn’t)

If I had known that you were coming, I would have met you at the airport. ( But I didn’t know,so I didn’t
come)
If he had written me a letter, I would have replied him .
If he hadn’t gone climbing, he wouldn’t have fallen and broken his arm ( but he did)
I you had studied, you would have passed the examination.
If you had studied, you would not have failed the examination
If you had not studied ,you would have failed the examination.

We can use past perfect continuous in the if-clause.

If I hadn’t been wearing a seat belt, I would have been seriously injured.
If I had been wearing a seat belt, I would not have been seriously injured

Instead of would have we can use could have ( = would have been able to)

If he had run a bit faster, he could have won.

If I had had my mobile yesterday, I could have contacted you.

The main clause often has would have. We can also use might have.

If we had stopped to buy a computer ,we might have missed the train.
If I hadn’t fallen ill and missed the interview, I might have got the job.
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QUESTIONS RELATING TO TENSES APPEARED IN NTS TESTS

YEAR QUESTION QUESTION

NO.

1 She always……………………her pat dog with herself.

a. Took b. takes c. taken d. has taken

2 Come in! I ……… a cup of tea.

a. Is b. am having c. have d. had

3 Who ……. That terrible noise?

Pak Bahria a. Is making b. is producing c. develops d. developing

University 2004
4. Convict…… a long punishment, when he……….

a. Was serving—escaped b. served….escape c.

serving…escape d. serves….escaped

5 No one……….television, so my father…………it off.

a. Watched….turned b. was watching………turns

c. was watching…….turned d. watching…..turned

NTS-2005 6 Find the error: Will I go home now? No error

A B C D E
NTS-2007 7 Find the error: Ali finds it difficult to put his idea into words. No error
A B C D E
NTS-2007 8 They went for a walk although it………….raining.

a. Are b. is c. was d. has e. had

NTS-2010 9 Find the error: It was impossible to gets the horses across the river at this point.
A B C D
NTS-2010 10 Find the error: Somebody have broken the lock.
A B C D

NTS-2011 11 I can’t …………….his name.

a. Remember b. remind c, remembered d. reminded

NTS-2011 12 Find the error: He got into his car and drive away.
A B C D
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NTS-2011 13 Find the error: She was dying to know where you have been.
A B C D
NTS-2014 14 The children are going ………visit the museum this afternoon.

a. For b. to c. off d. at

PUMS 2015 15 We should have………… our walk but for the wind, which filled the air with dust.

a. enjoy b. enjoyed c. has been enjoyed d. has enjoyed

NTS-2016 16 The doctor is going ……… vaccinate me tomorrow.

a. of b. to c. on d. as

NTS-2016 17 The recent discoveries of medical science have………..life and health to millions of
people.

a. brought b. bring c. had brought d. bringing

NTS-2016 18 Find the error: She send me a postal-order for my birthday. No error
A B C D E
NTS-2016 19 If he wants his salary too be raised, he will have to take it up with the manager. No error.
A B C D E
NTS-2017 20 There……….many students waiting to hear the results of the test.

a. has b. have c. was d. are

NTS-2018 21 The road is wet. It must…………….raining.

a. have been b. had c. has d. have

NTS-2018 22 He would like………..have a job in the same office.

a. Too b. to c. of to . d. get

NTS-2019 23 The house………………before we moved in.

A. Paint B. painted C.has painted d.was painted

NTS-2019 24 We must………back by six o’clock.

A. Be B. can C. has D.have

NTS-2019 25 Birds usually ………….eggs in their nests.

A.laid b. lain c. lay d. lie

NTS-2020 26 Choose the correctly structured sentence:

A.Had he lived in England he would miss his family.

B. Had he lived in England he would have missede his family.

C. Had he lived in England he had missed his family.

D. Had he live in England he will missed his family.

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NTS-2020 27 ‘She always carried an umbrella’. The sentence indicates………….tense.

A.Present tense B. Past simple C.Past perfect D.present perfect

Ahmed…………………me for a long time.

A. Know B. have known C. knows D. know

Good luck