Errors in tenses, whether in written or in spoken form create a bad impression about the person. It is, therefore, important to understand the kind of errors that occur while using tenses, so that, they may be avoided.
Different kinds of tenses are as follows:
1. Present Tense (events happening/have just happened in the present moment).
2. Past Tense (events that have happened/were happening in the past).
3. Future Tense (events that are going to happen in the time to come).
1. SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE
The present tense usually addresses events occuring in the present moment or actions that have
just been completed.
Examples:
I study in the afternoons. (Simple Present)
Jack is watching the television. (Present Continuous)
Dale has just finished her dinner. (Present Perfect)
However, the present tense can also be used in the following situations:
1. Present Tense (events happening/have just happened in the present moment).
2. Past Tense (events that have happened/were happening in the past).
3. Future Tense (events that are going to happen in the time to come).
1. SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE
The present tense usually addresses events occuring in the present moment or actions that have
just been completed.
Examples:
I study in the afternoons. (Simple Present)
Jack is watching the television. (Present Continuous)
Dale has just finished her dinner. (Present Perfect)
However, the present tense can also be used in the following situations:
a. To denote a recurring event or habitual action.
Examples:
The college elects new representatives every year.
I go for a medical check-up annually.
I get up everyday at six o'clock.
Examples:
The college elects new representatives every year.
I go for a medical check-up annually.
I get up everyday at six o'clock.
b. To represent general truths:
Examples:
C is the chemical symbol of Carbon.
There is no substitute for hardwork.
Honey is sweet.
Examples:
C is the chemical symbol of Carbon.
There is no substitute for hardwork.
Honey is sweet.
c. To denote an unchanging action:
Examples:
The hills look beautiful in summer, don't they?
The moon has a significant impact on tidal waves.
Examples:
The hills look beautiful in summer, don't they?
The moon has a significant impact on tidal waves.
d. To denote routine activities:
Examples:
The shop opens at 10:00 am.
I do not take morning tea for health reasons.
Examples:
The shop opens at 10:00 am.
I do not take morning tea for health reasons.
e. To denote future actions of a fixed programme or timetable:
Examples:
The next train is at 6:00 o'clock tomorrow.
If we start at 5:00 pm, we will reach our destination early.
Examples:
The next train is at 6:00 o'clock tomorrow.
If we start at 5:00 pm, we will reach our destination early.
f. To express an action in the immediate future:
Examples:
Kindly sit down, the function is about to begin.
Examples:
Kindly sit down, the function is about to begin.
g. Instead of Simple Future Tense, in clauses of time and of condition:
Examples:
I shall wait till you finish your breakfast.
Examples:
I shall wait till you finish your breakfast.
2. PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE
The Present Continuous Tense is used for the following types of actions:
The Present Continuous Tense is used for the following types of actions:
a. For a temporary action in the Present Tense- an action that is going on at the moment (but
will stop in the future).
Examples:
The boys are playing cricket.
It is snowing outside.
will stop in the future).
Examples:
The boys are playing cricket.
It is snowing outside.
b. For a certain plan for the future.
Examples:
I am going to the movie tonight.
I am setting up some meetings for my boss.
Examples:
I am going to the movie tonight.
I am setting up some meetings for my boss.
c. To speak about repeated actions.
Examples:
Carla is constantly leaving her things cluttered around the room.
My dog is always barking at strangers.
Examples:
Carla is constantly leaving her things cluttered around the room.
My dog is always barking at strangers.
d. To describe trends, developments and changes.
Examples:
Jane's kitten is growing up so fast. (change)
Nowadays, people are eating out more often than in the past. (trend)
The human species is continuously evolving. (development)
Examples:
Jane's kitten is growing up so fast. (change)
Nowadays, people are eating out more often than in the past. (trend)
The human species is continuously evolving. (development)
e.To speak about something that usually happens at a specific point in time.
Examples:
At seven in the morning, I'm usually gardening.
He is working on the thesis for the past six months.
Examples:
At seven in the morning, I'm usually gardening.
He is working on the thesis for the past six months.
CONSISTENCY OF TENSE IN A SENTENCE
In a single sentence, if there are more than two verbs, the tense used must be consistent for
each verb. This is also important for maintaining parallel structure in a sentence.
Example:
The artist sang, danced and was sashaying on the stage.
This sentence is INCORRECT since it uses the simple past in case of two verbs and past
continuous form in one verb.
The CORRECT form would be:
The artist sang, danced and sashayed on the stage.
Or,
The artist was singing, dancing and sashaying on the stage.
In a single sentence, if there are more than two verbs, the tense used must be consistent for
each verb. This is also important for maintaining parallel structure in a sentence.
Example:
The artist sang, danced and was sashaying on the stage.
This sentence is INCORRECT since it uses the simple past in case of two verbs and past
continuous form in one verb.
The CORRECT form would be:
The artist sang, danced and sashayed on the stage.
Or,
The artist was singing, dancing and sashaying on the stage.