TENSES IN ENGLISH

LANGUAGE
(BASIC TO ADVANCE)

“Empowering Minds Through Clarity and Concept."

Most detailed notes to boast English

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Prepared By: Proof- Read By: Reviewed By:

Prof. Muhammad Prof. Sufyan Afzal Prof. Muhammad
Umair Ashiq Manj Asim Virk
HOD English HOD English HOD English
Aspire Group of Punjab Group of Apex Group of
Colleges Colleges Colleges
 Basic English Grammar
(Tenses)
Tense:
Tense refers to the verb forms that indicate the time, continuity, or completeness of an action or state.
Importance:
 They help convey when something happens.
 They clarify whether something is still happening, already done, or about to happen.
 They improve clarity, precision, and professionalism in communication.

BASIC CLASSIFICATIONS OF TENSES

Time Frame Types
Present  Simple (Indefinite)
 Continuous (Progressive)
Past
 Perfect
Future  Perfect Continuous

PRESENT TENSE
Present Simple:
 Indicates--(Time Reference, Focus):
General truths, habits, repeated actions, facts, -- (Now / Always, Habitual, Permanent)

 How does Present Simple indicate “Now”?

Even though Present Simple often refers to general facts, habits, or timeless truths, it can also reflect the
present moment "now" in certain contexts.

✅ Cases Where Present Simple Indicates “Now”

1. Live Commentaries & Narration
Used in sports, news, and storytelling to describe current events happening as we speak.
E.g. “Messi passes the ball… he shoots… he scores!”
Action is happening right now, but Present Simple is used for immediacy and dramatic effect.
2. Instructions / Directions / Demonstrations
Used when giving step-by-step actions that happen in the immediate present.
E.g. “You press this button and the screen opens.”
Each step happens as it's being explained, i.e., now.
 Signal Words (Indicators):
Always, Usually, Often, Sometimes, Rarely, Never, Every Day/Week/Month, On Mondays, Generally, Frequently,
Seldom, Daily

 Present Simple deals with static verbs.

:‫اردوںیماچہپن‬
‫یتوہںوریغہآتاےہ۔‬،‫یتںیہ‬،‫تاوہں‬،‫ےتںیہ‬،‫یتےہ‬،‫اردورقفاتےکآخرںیمتاےہ‬

Prepared By: Prof. M. Umair Ashiq Goraya (BS ELL, UMT, Lahore) Page 2 of 18
Head of Department, English, Aspire Group of Colleges
 Basic English Grammar
(Tenses)
SENTENCE STRUCTURE
 Assertive (Positive): Sub + Base Verb + s/es + Obj

 Use of s/es:
When the subject is third-person singular (i.e. He, She, It, or a singular name/object), we
add “s” or “es” to the base verb.
 Add “es” if the verb ends in the given sounds: -ch, -sh, -s, -x, -z, -o. Else add “s”.
 Add “ies” if Verbs ending in Consonant + “y” e.g. study → studies Fly → Flies
 If there's a vowel before “y,” just add “s” e.g. play → plays enjoy → Enjoys
Note: There is no addition of s/es with plural.

 Negative: Sub + Do/Does+ Not + Base Verb + Obj

 Use “Do” when the subject is first/second person (i.e. I, We, You), Plurals (They, Names)
 Use “Does” when the subject is third person singular (i.e. He, She, It, or a singular name)

 Interrogative: WH- Family (if any) + Do/Does + Sub + Base Verb + Obj + ?

 Interrogative Negative: WH- Family (If any) + Do/Does + Sub + Not + Base Verb + Obj + ?

 WH Family: → What, Where, when, Who, How, Why, Which, Whom, Whose

EXAMPLES

URDU TO ENGLISH

1. Sun rises from the east. ‫ وسرجرشمقےسولطعوہتاےہ۔‬.2

2. Gardener does not irrigate the plants. ‫ امیلوپدوںوکتاینںیہنداتیےہ۔‬.3
3. What does he do?
‫ وہایکاکمرکتاےہ؟‬.4
4. Do they not take a tea?
‫ ایکوہاچےئںیہنےتیپےہ؟‬.5

COMPLETION IN ENGLISH
1. __________ it rain in your city often? 1. Does it rain in your city often?
2. It______ any noise at night. (not make) 2. It does not any noise at night.
3. I ___ a cup of coffee in the morning. (drink) 3. I drink a cup of coffee in the morning.
4. The baby ______ when she is hungry. (cry) 4. The baby cries when she is hungry.

Prepared By: Prof. M. Umair Ashiq Goraya (BS ELL, UMT, Lahore) Page 3 of 18
Head of Department, English, Aspire Group of Colleges
 Basic English Grammar
(Tenses)
Present Continuous:
 Indicates--(Time Reference, Focus):
Actions happening now or around now, temporary events, fixed future plans, -- (Now / Near Future, Ongoing)

 How does Present Continuous indicate “Fixed Future Plans”?

Present Continuous usually describes actions happening right now, it is also commonly used to talk about
definite, fixed future arrangements

 Structure: → Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing + future time expression

✅ Cases Where Present Continuous Indicates “Fixed Future Plans”
1. Pre-Planned Events
Present Continuous indicates the future when the speaker has already planned or arranged the event.

I am meeting the principal She is flying to Lahore next We are having dinner with
Sentence
tomorrow. Monday. clients at 8 p.m.

The meeting is arranged. Her ticket is booked. It's not The dinner is scheduled and
Implied Meaning
It’s on my calendar. just a plan (it's fixed). confirmed.
Important Note:
 This Use is only for near or scheduled future (It is not prediction).
 It needs a time expression (e.g., tomorrow, on Monday) to avoid confusion with “now.”
 Why Use Present Continuous for Future?
Because it conveys:
 Confidence: The action is certain.
 Arrangement: It’s already planned or agreed upon.
 Immediacy: Sounds more definite and natural in conversation.
 Signal Words (Indicators):
Now, Right Now, At the Moment, Currently, At Present, Nowadays, This Week, Today.

:‫اردوںیماچہپن‬
‫ریہںیہوریغہآتاےہ۔‬،‫ریہوہں‬،‫راہوہں‬،‫رےہںیہ‬،‫ریہےہ‬،‫اردورقفاتےکآخرںیم راہےہ‬

SENTENCE STRUCTURE
 Assertive (Positive): Sub + is/am/are + Base Verb + ing + Obj

 Use of is:
When the subject is third-person singular (i.e. He, She, It, or a singular name/object), we
add “is” before the main verb.
 Use of am:
When the subject is First-person I, we add “am” before the main verb.

Prepared By: Prof. M. Umair Ashiq Goraya (BS ELL, UMT, Lahore) Page 4 of 18
Head of Department, English, Aspire Group of Colleges
 Basic English Grammar
(Tenses)
 Use of are:
When the subject is first/third-person Plural (i.e. We, They, or plural names/objects) or
second person (i.e. You), we add “are” before the main verb.

 Negative: Sub + is/am/are + Not + Base Verb + ing + Obj

 Interrogative: WH- Family (if any) + is/am/are + Sub + Base Verb + ing + Obj + ?

 Negative - Interrogative: WH- Family (if any) + is/am/are + Sub + not + Base Verb + ing + Obj +?
EXAMPLES

URDU TO ENGLISH
1. The fishermen are catching fishes. ‫ امیہریگایلھچمںڑکپرےہںیہ۔‬.1
2. Amjad is not winding the watch. ‫ ادجمڑھگیوکاچیبںیہندےراہےہ۔‬.2
3. Where is the culprit running?
‫ رجمماہکںاھبگراہےہ؟‬.3
4. Why is police not catching the thief?
‫ وپسیلوچروکویکںںیہنڑکپریہےہ؟‬.4

COMPLETION IN ENGLISH
1. __________ it rain in your city now? 1. Is it raining in your city now?
2. I______ at party today. (not sing) 2. I am not singing at party today.
3. He ___ a bath right now. (take) 3. He is taking a bath right now.
4. The baby ______ at present. (cry) 4. The baby is crying at present.

Verbs that Cannot Be Used in Progressives:

 Non-Action (Stative) Verbs:
These verbs describe a state, not an action — so they are not normally used in continuous tenses like the Present
Continuous.

 Types of Verbs NOT Usually Used in Progressives:

1. Verbs of Thought & Opinion (i.e. Know, Believe, Understand)
2. Verbs of Emotion (i.e. Like, Hate, Love)
3. Verbs of Possession or Belonging (i.e. Belong, Own, Have (possess))
4. Senses / Perception Verbs (i.e. See, Hear, Smell)
5. Desire / Mental State (i.e. Want, Need, Prefer)
Note: "Have" can be used in Present Continuous when it means experiencing or doing, like: "I’m having lunch."
If Senses verbs mean deliberate action, Continuous is okay: e.g. "I’m seeing the doctor today." (Planned visit)
 In case of modern or informal English Exception always exist.

Prepared By: Prof. M. Umair Ashiq Goraya (BS ELL, UMT, Lahore) Page 5 of 18
Head of Department, English, Aspire Group of Colleges
 Basic English Grammar
(Tenses)
EXAMPLES
Verb Incorrect Correct
Thought I am believing him. I believe him.
Emotion He was hating exams. He hated exams.
Possession This is belonging to me. This belongs to me.
Senses He will be seeing birds. He will see birds.
Desire I am wanting it. I want it.

Present Perfect--(Time Reference, Focus):

 Indicates:
Completed actions with present relevance, life experience, recent events, -- (Unspecified past → Present,
Result / Experience)

 Signal Words (Indicators):

Already, Just, Yet, Ever, Never, Since, For, Recently, So Far, Up To Now, Till Now

:‫اردوںیماچہپن‬
(‫)ےنےکریغباچہپن‬ ‫یکچںیہ وریغہآتاےہ۔‬،‫یکچوہں‬،‫اکچوہں‬،‫ےکچںیہ‬،‫یکچےہ‬،‫اردورقفاتےکآخرںیم اکچےہ‬
‫اردورقفاتںیمظفل"ےن"آےئاوروہہلمجیسکاکمےکلمکموہےناکااسحسزامہنِاحل ات امیضقر ب‬
‫دتاےہ"رپمتخوہتاےہ۔‬/‫یںیمدالتاوہ۔ہلمجارثک"ایل‬

SENTENCE STRUCTURE
 Assertive (Positive): Sub + has/have + Past Participle (V3) + Obj

 Use of has:
When the subject is third-person singular (i.e. He, She, It, or a singular name/object), we
add “has” before the past participle (V3).
 Use of Have:
When the subject is first/second-person (i.e. I, We, You) or third-person Plural (i.e. They,
or plural names/objects), we add “have” before the past participle (V3).

 Negative: Sub + has/have + Not + Past Participle (V3) + Obj

 Interrogative: WH- Family (if any) + has/have + Sub + Past Participle (V3) + Obj + ?

 Negative - Interrogative: WH- Family (if any) + has/have + Sub + not + Past Participle (V3) + Obj +?

Prepared By: Prof. M. Umair Ashiq Goraya (BS ELL, UMT, Lahore) Page 6 of 18
Head of Department, English, Aspire Group of Colleges
 Basic English Grammar
(Tenses)
EXAMPLES

URDU TO ENGLISH
1. The dog has caught the rabbit. ‫ ےتکےنخروگشوکڑکپایلےہ۔‬.1
2. Have you wasted my time? ‫ ایکمتریماوقاضعئرکےکچوہ؟‬.2
3. He has not gone to Lahore.
‫ وہالوہرںیہناجےکچںیہ۔‬.3
4. Why has he not wound the watch?
‫ اسےنڑھگیوکاچیبویکںںیہندیےہ؟‬.4

COMPLETION IN ENGLISH
1. We _____ a new hobby recently. (Find) 1. We have found a new hobby recently.
2. ____ you _______ your dinner yet? (Finish) 2. Have you finished your dinner yet?
3. He _______ a bath till now. (take) 3. He has taken a bath till now.
4. They _____ English for two years. (not study) 4. They have not studied English for two years.

Present Perfect Continuous --(Time Reference/Focus):

 Indicates:
Actions started in the past and still continuing, with focus on duration, (Past → Still continuing, Duration
/ Repetition)

 Signal Words (Indicators):

Since, For, All Day, All Morning, How Long, Lately, Recently

:‫اردوںیماچہپن‬
‫ریہںیہوریغہآتاےہ۔رگماسےکاسھتےلمجںیماکمےکرشوعوہےن‬،‫ریہوہں‬،‫راہوہں‬،‫رےہںیہ‬،‫ریہےہ‬،‫اردورقفاتےکآخرںیم راہےہ‬
‫ےکوقاکنیعتیھبوہتاےہ۔اکمےکآاغزاکوقتادوراہینولعمموہاوراکمزامہنِاحلںیماجریوہ۔‬
SENTENCE STRUCTURE
 Assertive (Positive): Sub + has/have + been + Present Participle (V4) + Obj + Since/For + Time
 Use of Since:
Since is used with “A point in time” and refers to “The starting moment of an action or event”.
 Key Concept:
 "Since" = From a Specific Time Until Now

Prepared By: Prof. M. Umair Ashiq Goraya (BS ELL, UMT, Lahore) Page 7 of 18
Head of Department, English, Aspire Group of Colleges
 Basic English Grammar
(Tenses)
 Shows when the action started
 Refers to a definite point in the past
 Examples:
 She has been teaching since 2018.
 We have not been meeting since Monday.
 Use of For:
For is used with “A duration of time” and refers to “The length/amount or period of time”.

 Key Concept:
 "For" = Duration of Time
 Shows how long something has happened
 Refers to a length or amount of time
 Examples:
 He has been living in Karachi for 10 years.
 I have been waiting for two hours.
 She has been sleeping for a while.

 Negative: Sub + has/have + Not + been + Present Participle (V4) + Obj + Since/For + Time

 Interrogative: WH- Family (if any) + has/have + Sub + been + Present Participle (V4) + Obj +
Since/For + Time + ?

 Negative - Interrogative: WH- Family (if any) + has/have + Sub + Not + been + Present Participle
(V4) + Obj + Since/For + Time + ?
EXAMPLES

URDU TO ENGLISH
1. He has been driving a car since 1970. ‫ء ےسیسکیٹالچراہےہ۔‬1970 ‫ وہ‬.1
2. Have they not been working for two days? ‫ ایکوہدودنےساکمںیہنرکرےہںیہ؟‬.2
3. Why has he been playing since noon?
‫ وہدورہپےسویکںلیھکراہےہ؟‬.3
4. He has not been weeping since Friday.
‫ وہہعمجےسںیہنروراہےہ۔‬.4

COMPLETION IN ENGLISH
1. She _________ for 2 hours. (read) 1. She has been reading for 2 hours.
2. They ____ the work since Sunday. (Not Finish) 2. They have not been finishing the work since Sunday.
3. Has he _______ a bath since noon? (take) 3. Has he been taking a bath right since noon?
4. Have they __ English for two years? (not study) 4. Have they not been studying English for two years?

Prepared By: Prof. M. Umair Ashiq Goraya (BS ELL, UMT, Lahore) Page 8 of 18
Head of Department, English, Aspire Group of Colleges
 Basic English Grammar
(Tenses)
PAST TENSE
Past Simple:
 Indicates--(Time Reference, Focus):
Completed actions/events at a specific time in the past, --(Definite past, Completed).

 Signal Words (Indicators):

Yesterday, Last Night/Week/Month/Year, In 2000, Ago, When, Then, On Monday, This Morning (If Past)

:‫اردوںیماچہپن‬
‫ ے"وریغہآتاےہ۔اورامیضقلطماکزامہنتاتااجےئ۔‬، ‫ ی‬، ‫اردورقفاتےکآخرںیم " ا‬
SENTENCE STRUCTURE
 Assertive (Positive): Sub + V2 + Obj
 Negative: Sub + did + not + Base Verb (V1) + Obj
 Interrogative: WH- Family (if any) + did + Sub + Base Verb (V1) + Obj + ?
 Negative - Interrogative: WH- Family (if any) + did + Sub + not + Base Verb (V1) + Obj + ?
Note: Always use Base Verb (V1) after the Do Family “i.e. Do, Does, Did”.
EXAMPLES

URDU TO ENGLISH
1. He dealt in sugar. ‫ وہینیچاکاکروتباررکتااھت۔‬.1
2. Did they eat food? ‫ ایکاوہنںےناھکتااھکتا؟‬.2
3. Why did he not go to Kashmir?
‫ وہریمشکویکںںیہنایگ؟‬.3
4. Amjad did not play match.
‫ ادجمےنچیمںیہنالیھک۔‬.4

COMPLETION IN ENGLISH
1. He ___ me last week. (meet)
1. He met me last week.
2. ___ he buy a car yesterday?
2. Did he buy a car yesterday?
3. He ____ two day ago. (not die)
3. He did not die two days ago.
4. Did they __ English last years? (not study)
4. Did they not study English last years?

Prepared By: Prof. M. Umair Ashiq Goraya (BS ELL, UMT, Lahore) Page 9 of 18
Head of Department, English, Aspire Group of Colleges
 Basic English Grammar
(Tenses)
Past Continuous:
 Indicates--(Time Reference, Focus):
Actions happening at a specific moment in the past, or interrupted by another past event, --(Past
(ongoing), Background / Interrupted)

 Signal Words (Indicators):

While, As, When (Interrupted Action), All day yesterday, At 5 p.m. yesterday

:‫اردوںیماچہپن‬
‫آتےہ۔دہرے‬
‫ریہںیھت وریغہآتاےہ۔رگمدہرےولمجںںیمانےکاسھتامیضقلطماکہلمج ا‬،‫رےہےھت‬،‫ریہیھت‬،‫اردورقفاتےکآخرںیم راہاھت‬
‫ولمجںںیمامیضقلطماکہلمجہشیمہامیضاِرمتساریےکےلمجرپاِاصحنررکتاےہ۔‬

SENTENCE STRUCTURE
 Assertive (Positive): Sub + was/were + Base Verb + ing + Obj
 Use of was:
When the subject is first/third-person singular (i.e. I, He, She, It, or a singular name/object),
we add “was” before the main verb.
 Use of were:
When the subject is first/third-person Plural (i.e. We, They, or plural names/objects) or
second person (i.e. You), we add “were” before the main verb.

 Negative: Sub + was/were + not + Base Verb + ing + Obj

 Interrogative: WH- Family (if any) was/were + Sub + Base Verb + ing + Obj + ?

 Negative - Interrogative: WH- Family (if any) was/were + Sub + not + Base Verb + ing + Obj + ?
 Progressive Tense occurs as a double clause, else in single clause adverb is used.

DOUBLE CLAUSES
Pattern A: One action was in progress when another happened (Past Continuous + Past Simple)
 Use of "While"
“While” introduces the longer, ongoing action — usually in the Past Continuous tense.
SENTENCE STRUCTURE
While + Past Progressive + Past Simple
While + Subject + was/were + Base verb + ing + Obj + , + Subject + V2 + Obj

Example: While I was cooking, the phone rang.

Prepared By: Prof. M. Umair Ashiq Goraya (BS ELL, UMT, Lahore) Page 10 of 18
Head of Department, English, Aspire Group of Colleges
 Basic English Grammar
(Tenses)
 Use of "When"
“When” introduces the shorter action (Past Simple) that interrupts or occurs during the longer action.
SENTENCE STRUCTURE
Past Progressive + When + Past Simple
Subject + was/were + Base verb + ing + Obj + When + Subject + V2 + Obj

Example: I was cooking when the phone rang.

Key Difference between While & When
Feature While When
Introduces Longer Action (In Progress) Shorter or Interruption Action
Typical Tense Past Continuous Past Simple
Function Emphasizes the background action Emphasizes the Interruption
Placement Usually start the sentence Often follows the continuous clause
Pattern B: Two actions happening at the same time (Both in Continuous)
SENTENCE STRUCTURE
Subject + was/were + Base verb + ing + Obj + while + Subject + was/were + Base verb + ing + Obj
Example: I was reading while she was watching TV.

Past Perfect:
 Indicates--(Time Reference, Focus):
An action completed before another past action or time, --(Earlier past, Sequence / Completion)

 Signal Words (Indicators):

Before, After, By the Time, Already, Just, When (Past Of Past), As Soon As, By Then, Not Yet, Once

:‫اردوںیماچہپن‬
(‫)ےنےکریغباچہپن‬ ‫یکچںیھت وریغہآتاےہ۔‬،‫ےکچےھت‬،‫یکچیھت‬،‫اردورقفاتےکآخرںیم اکچاھت‬
‫اردورقفاتںیمظفل"ےن"آےئاوروہہلمجیسکاکمےکلمکموہےناکااسحسزامہنِ امیضدیعبںیمدال اتوہ۔ارثکامیضقلطماکرقفہیھباسھتت ااتاجتاےہ۔‬

SENTENCE STRUCTURE
 Assertive (Positive): Sub + had + Past Participle (V3) + Obj

 Negative: Sub + had + Not + Past Participle (V3) + Obj

 Interrogative: WH- Family (if any) + had + Sub + Past Participle (V3) + Obj + ?

 Negative - Interrogative: WH- Family (if any) + had + Sub + not + Past Participle (V3) + Obj +?

Prepared By: Prof. M. Umair Ashiq Goraya (BS ELL, UMT, Lahore) Page 11 of 18
Head of Department, English, Aspire Group of Colleges
 Basic English Grammar
(Tenses)
Note:
Past Perfect often shows an action that was completed before another past action or time. So
mostly it occurs as double Clauses.

DOUBLE CLAUSES
Pattern A: One action was completed before another happened (Past Perfect + Past Simple)
SENTENCE STRUCTURE
Past Perfect + before/after + Past Simple
Subject + had + past participle + Obj + before/when + Subject + V2 + Obj

EXAMPLES

URDU TO ENGLISH
1. The patient had died before doctor came. ‫ ڈارٹکےکآےنےسےلہپرمضیرماکچاھت۔‬.1
2. I had not left the office already. ‫ ںیمےلہپیہدرتفںیہنوھچڑاکچاھت۔‬.2
3. Had she cooked the food?
‫ ایکوہاھکتااکپیکچیھت؟‬.3
4. Why had he not finished the work?
‫ وہاکمویکںںیہنمتخرکاکچاھت؟‬.4
COMPLETION IN ENGLISH
1. She ____ the house before I called her. (leave) 1. She had left the house before I called her.
2. ___ he buy a car already? 2. Had he buy a car yesterday?
3. He ____ before. (not die) 3. He had not died before.
4. __She __ the work before the deadline? (not finish) 4. Had she not finished the work before the deadline?
Key Concept: Past always follows the past.
Past Perfect Continuous:
 Indicates--(Time Reference, Focus):
Long or repeated action happening before another past event, with focus on duration, --(Past
(continuous until past), Duration before past event)

 Signal Words (Indicators):

For, Since, All Day, All Night, How Long (With Past Time), Before, Until

:‫اردوںیماچہپن‬
‫ریہںیھتوریغہآتاےہ۔رگماسےکاسھتےلمجںیماکمےکرشوعوہےنےکوقاکنیعتیھب‬،‫رےہےھت‬،‫ریہیھت‬،‫اردورقفاتےکآخرںیم راہاھت‬
‫وہتاےہ۔امیضاکوہاکموجھچکدیرتاجریراہاوریسکدورسےامیضےکواےعقےسےلہپ( اتامیضںیمیہ(لمکموہایگ۔‬

Prepared By: Prof. M. Umair Ashiq Goraya (BS ELL, UMT, Lahore) Page 12 of 18
Head of Department, English, Aspire Group of Colleges
 Basic English Grammar
(Tenses)
SENTENCE STRUCTURE
 With Duration (For/Since)
 Assertive (Positive): Sub + had + been + Present Participle (V4) + Obj + Since/For + Time

 Negative: Sub + had + Not + been + Present Participle (V4) + Obj + Since/For + Time

 Interrogative: WH- Family (if any) + had + Sub + been + Present Participle (V4) + Obj + Since/For
+ Time + ?

 Negative - Interrogative: WH- Family (if any) + had + Sub + Not + been + Present Participle (V4) +
Obj + Since/For + Time + ?

 Interrupted Past Action

Sub + had + been + Present Participle (V4) + Obj + Since/For + Time + when + Sub + V2 + Obj

 Cause of Result
Sub + V2 + Obj + Because + Sub + had + been + Present Participle (V4) + Obj + Since/For + Time

 With “How Long” (Only Interrogative)

How long + had + Sub + been + Present Participle (V4) + Obj + ?

Note: When exact duration is not mentioned in (Urdu) sentences, use of Since/For is Optional (i.e. For a while)
EXAMPLES
1. She had been studying for three hours before she took a break. (With Duration)
2. They had been working since morning before the power went out. (With Duration)
3. I had been sleeping (for some time) when the phone rang. (Interruption)
4. We had been waiting for the bus (for a while) when it suddenly started raining. (Interruption)
5. She was tired because she had been running. (Cause)
6. The kitchen was dirty because they had been cooking all day. (Cause)
7. How long had you been working there before you left? (How long)
8. How long had he been waiting before the shop opened? (How long)

Key Difference between Past Continuous & Past Perfect Continuous

Aspect Past Continuous Past Perfect Continuous

Time Focus Simultaneous Action Action Continued before the result
Emphasis What is happening How long something had been happening
Causality Clarity Weaker Stronger cause effect
Example His eyes were red because he was crying. His eyes were red because he had been crying.
He had been crying earlier, and now the result is
Meaning He was still crying at that moment
visible.

Prepared By: Prof. M. Umair Ashiq Goraya (BS ELL, UMT, Lahore) Page 13 of 18
Head of Department, English, Aspire Group of Colleges
 Basic English Grammar
(Tenses)
FUTURE TENSE
Future Simple:
 Indicates--(Time Reference, Focus):
Decisions, promises, predictions, future facts, --(Future, Intent / Promise / Prediction)

 Signal Words (Indicators):

Tomorrow, Soon, Next Week/Month/Year, In 2030, I Think, Probably, Maybe, I Hope, I Guess, Coming Time

:‫اردوںیماچہپن‬
‫ےگوریغہآتاےہ۔اوریسکاکمےکرکےنیکادیمزام ِہنلبقتسمںیمتایئاجےئ۔‬،‫یگ‬،‫اردورقفاتےکآخرںیماگ‬
SENTENCE STRUCTURE
 Assertive (Positive): Sub + will/shall + Base Verb + Obj

 Use of Will/Shall: (In Traditional English)

 “Will” Expresses future actions (most common) and Use with all Subjects except “I & We”.
 “Shall” is traditionally used with “I/we” for future. (Only in British & Formal English)
 If the sentence is emphasized will/shall will shift their subjects.

IN MODERN ENGLISH
In modern English, especially American English, “will” is used in almost all cases.
“Shall” is now used rarely, mainly in formal or legal contexts.
“Will” is Standard:
o In contemporary English “Will” is used with all subjects.
e.g. She will arrive at 5 PM. ; I will always remember you.

 “Shall” in Formal or Legal English

o Used in contracts, laws, and formal documents
o Implies obligation or command
o Used (mostly in British English) to politely offer or ask
e.g. The tenant shall pay rent on the 1st of every month. ; Shall I open the window?
Comparison Of Their (Will/Shall) Uses
Use Will Shall
Future Action (Common) ✔  (Rare now a days)
Promise ✔ 
Threat ✔ ✔ (formal or emphatic)
Suggestion  ✔ (Shall we...?)
Legal/contractual  ✔
With "I/we" in formal style ✔ ✔

Prepared By: Prof. M. Umair Ashiq Goraya (BS ELL, UMT, Lahore) Page 14 of 18
Head of Department, English, Aspire Group of Colleges
 Basic English Grammar
(Tenses)
 Negative: Sub + will/Shall + Not + Base Verb + Obj

 Interrogative:WH- Family (if any) + Will/Shall + Sub + Base Verb + Obj + ?

 Interrogative Negative: WH- Family (If any) + Will/Shall + Sub + Not + Base Verb + Obj + ?

EXAMPLES

URDU TO ENGLISH
1. He will play cricket. ‫ وہرکٹکےلیھکاگ۔‬.1
2. Will you take the exam? ‫ ایکمتااحتمندوےگ؟‬.2
3. He will not sell items.
‫ وہاایشءںیہنےچیباگ۔‬.3
‫ میںکیسےطخںیہنےھکلاگ؟‬.4
4. How will I not write letter?

COMPLETION IN ENGLISH
1. He _____ soon. (return) 1. He will return soon.
2. They ____ us tomorrow. (not visit) 2. They will not visit us tomorrow.
3. Will you ____ me? (help) 3. Will you help me?
4. Why will we _______ to Lahore. (not go) 4. Why will we not go to Lahore?

Future Continuous:
 Indicates--(Time Reference, Focus):
Ongoing actions at a specific future time, --(Future (in progress), Temporary / Polite inquiry)
 Signal Words (Indicators):
At This Time Tomorrow, At 5 P.M. Next Week, While, During, When, In The Future

:‫اردوںیماچہپن‬
‫یتوہںیگوریغہآتاےہ۔‬،‫تاوہںاگ‬،‫ےتوہںےگ‬،‫یتوہیگ‬،‫تاوہاگ‬،‫ریہوہںیگ‬،‫راہوہںاگ‬،‫رےہوہںےگ‬،‫ریہوہیگ‬،‫اردورقفاتےکآخرںیمراہوہاگ‬
SENTENCE STRUCTURE
 Assertive (Positive): Sub + will/shall + be + Base Verb + ing + Obj

 Negative: Sub + will/Shall + Not + be + Base Verb + ing + Obj

 Interrogative: WH- Family (if any) + Will/Shall + Sub + be + Base Verb + ing + Obj + ?

Prepared By: Prof. M. Umair Ashiq Goraya (BS ELL, UMT, Lahore) Page 15 of 18
Head of Department, English, Aspire Group of Colleges
 Basic English Grammar
(Tenses)
 Interrogative Negative: WH- Family (If any) + Will/Shall + Sub + Not + be + Base Verb +
ing + Obj + ?

EXAMPLES

URDU TO ENGLISH
1. He will be playing a match. ‫ وہچیماتلیھکوہاگ۔‬.1
2. When will we be having a breakfast? ‫ مہبکتاہتشرکرےہوہںےگ؟‬.2
3. They will not be walking on foot.
‫ وہدیپلںیہنلچرےہوہںےگ۔‬.3
4. Will thief not be running?
‫ ایکوچرںیہناھبگراہوہاگ؟‬.4

COMPLETION IN ENGLISH
1. Will you not be ___ (attend) the meeting 1. Will you not be attending the meeting?
2. They will be ____ us tomorrow. (not visit) 2. They will not be visiting us tomorrow.
3. Will you be ____ me? (help) 3. Will you be helping me?
4. Why will we __ be ____ to Lahore. (not go) 4. Why will we not be going to Lahore?

Future Continuous:
 Indicates--(Time Reference, Focus):
Action that will be completed before a specific future time, --(Future (completed), Completion)

 Signal Words (Indicators):

By Then, By Tomorrow, By 2025, Before, Until, By the Time

:‫اردوںیماچہپن‬
(‫)ےنےکریغباچہپن‬ ‫یکچوہںیگ وریغہآتاےہ۔‬،‫ےکچوہںےگ‬،‫یکچوہیگ‬،‫اردورقفاتےکآخرںیم اکچوہاگ‬
‫اردورقفاتںیمظفل"ےن"آےئاوروہہلمجیسکاکمےکلمکموہےناکااسحسزامہنِ لبقتسمںیمدال تاوہ۔ارثکآخرںیم"ایلوہاگ"آتاےہ۔‬

SENTENCE STRUCTURE
 Assertive (Positive): Sub + will/shall + have + Past Participle + Obj

 Negative: Sub + will/Shall + Not + have + Past Participle + Obj

Prepared By: Prof. M. Umair Ashiq Goraya (BS ELL, UMT, Lahore) Page 16 of 18
Head of Department, English, Aspire Group of Colleges
 Basic English Grammar
(Tenses)
 Interrogative: WH- Family (if any) + Will/Shall + Sub + have + Past Participle + Obj + ?

 Interrogative Negative: WH- Family (If any) + Will/Shall + Sub + Not + have + Past Participle +
Obj + ?

EXAMPLES

URDU TO ENGLISH
1. He will have finished the food. ‫ وہاھکتااھکاکچوہاگ۔‬.1
2. Will you have given the exam? ‫ ایکمتااحتمنےلےکچوہےگ؟‬.2
3. He will not have bought the goods.
‫ اسےناسامنںیہنخریدایلوہاگ۔‬.3
4. Why shall I not have finished the work
‫ میںکاامویکںلمکمںیہنرکاکچوہںگاا؟‬.4

Future Perfect Continuous:

 Indicates--(Time Reference, Focus):
Action in progress over a period, continuing until a future point, --(Future (ongoing until then),
Duration in future)

 Signal Words (Indicators):

For, Since, By... (Time), How Long, For Hours/Days/Years (Future Duration)

:‫اردوںیماچہپن‬
‫آتےہ۔رگماسےکاسھتےلمجںیماکمےکرشوعوہےنےکوقاکنیعتیھب‬
‫رےہوہںےگوریغہ ا‬،‫ریہوہیگ‬،‫اردورقفاتےکآخرںیم راہوہاگ‬
‫زامہنِلقتسمںیموہتاےہ۔اورلبقتسمےکاتاخصوقتاجریراتہےہ۔‬
SENTENCE STRUCTURE
 Assertive (Positive): Sub + will/shall + Have + been + Base Verb + ing + Obj

 Negative: Sub + will/Shall + Not + Have + been + Base Verb + ing + Obj

 Interrogative: WH- Family (if any) + Will/Shall + Sub + Have + been + Base Verb + ing +
Obj + ?

 Interrogative Negative: WH- Family (If any) + Will/Shall + Sub + Not + Have + been + Base
Verb + ing + Obj + ?

Prepared By: Prof. M. Umair Ashiq Goraya (BS ELL, UMT, Lahore) Page 17 of 18
Head of Department, English, Aspire Group of Colleges
 Basic English Grammar
(Tenses)
EXAMPLES

URDU TO ENGLISH
1. He will have been playing since morning. ‫ وہحبصےسلیھکراہوہاگ۔‬.5
2. They will not have been waiting for two days. ‫ وہدوروزےسااظتنرںیہنرکرےہوہںےگ۔‬.6
3. Will Sobia have been writing an essay since night?
‫ ایکوثہیبراتےسومضمنھکلریہوہیگ؟‬.7
4. Why shall we not have been going for two days?
‫ مہدودنےسویکںںیہناجرےہوہںےگ؟‬.8

WORKSPACE
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
These academic notes have been diligently prepared by Prof. M. Umair Ashiq Goraya (HOD English,
Aspire Group of Colleges), whose expertise and pedagogical vision have shaped the foundation of this
work. The content was thoroughly proofread by Prof. Sufyan Afzal Manj (HOD English, Punjab Group
of Colleges), ensuring clarity, precision, and academic rigor. A critical review was conducted by Prof. M.
Asim Virk (HOD English, Apex Group of Colleges), whose scholarly insights have further elevated the
instructional value of this material.
Their combined academic contributions have been instrumental in producing a reliable, student-focused
resource, aimed at promoting conceptual understanding and excellence in learning.

Prepared By: Prof. M. Umair Ashiq Goraya (BS ELL, UMT, Lahore) Page 18 of 18
Head of Department, English, Aspire Group of Colleges