Tenses: present tense, past tense and future time refer to the time of action and tell the time and state of an action.
Basic English Grammar rules can be tricky. In this article, we’ll get you started with the basics of sentence structure, punctuation, parts of speech, and more.
Tenses Exercises or Class 6 CBSE With Answers Pdf
Each tense has four forms:
Four Forms of Present Tense | Four Forms of Past Tense | Four forms of Future Time |
1. I sing. (Simple Present) 2. I am singing. (Present Continuous) 3. I have sung. (Present Perfect) 4. I have been singing. (Present Perfect Continuous) |
1. I sung. (Simple Past) 2. I was singing. (Past Continuous) 3. I had sung. (Past Perfect) 4. I had been singing. (Past Perfect Continuous) |
1. I shall sing. (Simple Future) 2. I shall be singing. (Future Continuous) 3. I shall have sung. (Future Perfect) 4. I shall have been singing. (Future Perfect Continuous) |
Simple Present Tense
Uses of simple present tense
We use simple present tense to talk about facts or things that are true and to talk about habits and repeated actions. Here is a table that tells you in detail the usage of simple present tense.
Simple Present Tense | Examples |
1. things happening in the present | 1. He is my teacher. |
2. something that happens repeatedly | 2. Rahul helps me with my homework. |
3. a habit or a routine | 3. Mini goes for a dance class. |
4. describe something that is part of a given situation | 4. It rains during monsoon months. |
5. give instructions or offer advice | 5. Keep quiet in the library. |
6. state a permanent truth | 6. The Earth revolves around the sun. |
7. to make future time reference when the event is part of a fixed time-table | 7. The Principal leaves for the US on Sunday. |
8. in exclamatory sentences | 8. Oh, how beautiful the rain is\ |
9. in commentaries | 9. Virat throws the ball to Dhanraj who bats it for a six! |
10. instead of present continuous with certain verbs | 10. I see your point. |
A. Choose the correct answer for each blank and write it in the space provided.
1. The babies (cry/cries) for milk ____________
2. My book (is/are) stolen by her. ____________
3. Sameer (cook/cooks) food for his friends ____________
4. Tina (drive/drives) a car on the road ____________
5. The artist (paint/paints) each picture lovingly ____________
6. Knowledge (show/shows) the way to success ____________
7. She never (wear/wears) a hat ____________
8. I (get/gets) up early in the morning ____________
9. Rita (play/plays) with dolls ____________
10. We (make/makes) dolls in our spare time ____________
Simple Past Tense
Uses of simple past tense
We use simple past tense to talk about actions done in the past.
Here is a table that tells you in detail the usage of simple past tense.
Simple Past Tense | Examples |
1. an action completed in the past 2. a past habit or a routine |
1. They left for Australia in 2003 November. 2. Last year he went, for badminton but now he has shifted to tennis. |
The verbs that form their simple past and past participle forms when -ed is added to the verb are regular verbs.
Verbs that do not form their simple past and past participle forms by adding -ed are called irregular verbs..
The past participle form for regular verbs is same as the past form.
Base form (or 1st form) | Past simple form (or 2nd form) | Past participle form (or 3rd form) |
agree | agreed | agreed |
enjoy | enjoyed | enjoyed |
mix | mixed | mixed |
travel | travelled | travelled |
The past participle form for irregular verbs is often different from the past form.
Base form (or 1st form) | Past simple form (or 2nd form) | Past participle form (or 3rd form) |
be | was/were | been |
begin | began | begun |
choose | chose | chosen |
forgive | forgave | forgiven |
B. Fill in the blanks using simple past forms of the verbs given in brackets.
1. The storm (destroy) the house that they had built.
_________________________________
2. The children (clean) the blackboard they had used for their Mathematics exercise.
_________________________________
3. When she went out to play, she (do/already) her homework.
_________________________________
4. She (eat) all of the food that we had made.
_________________________________
5. He took off the jacket he (put on) before.
_________________________________
Future Time
Uses of future time
We use future time to talk about actions that have not begun yet. The two most common ways to express future is by using will or be + going to before the verb. The main verb used in these sentences will always be in the base form.
Future Time | Examples |
1. will/shall + infinitive | 1. We shall go to the Amby Mall tomorrow. He will reach home in the wee hours of the night. |
2. is/am/are + going to + infinitive | 2. We are going to match this Saturday. |
3. is/am/are + to + infinitive | 3. We are going to Kenya to see the safari. |
4. is/am/are + about to + infinitive | 4. She is about to start for home. |
5. simple present (to express an unalterable plan) | 5. The President leaves for the US tonight. |
6. present continuous (to denote the future) | 6. H&M is opening a new outlet in Ludhiana. |
7. will/shall + be + -ing (present participle) | 7. We shall be going for a picnic to the seashore next week. |
8. Is/am/are + being + Participle | 8. A new committee is being formed. |
C. There is an error in each of the following sentences. Spot the errors and correct the sentences.
- The dog going to jump.
- The girl is go to switch on the radio.
- Naomi flying to Dubai next Wednesday.
- Romil not going to study after lunch.
Continuous Tenses
We use continuous tenses to refer to ongoing actions or events in the past, present or future time. We use the present participle form of a verb (-ing form) in continuous tenses. The present participle forms of some verbs are made by adding -ing to the base form of the verb. For example: working, seeing, playing, bluffing, and so on.
Present Continuous Tense
We use the be verbs am, is and are (to suit the subject) along with the present participle form (-ing) to show present continuous tense. We use present continuous tense:
Present Continuous Tense | Examples |
To refer to something happening at the time of speaking | Please don’t make noise, Grandma is sleeping. |
When we talk about something connected with the present time | These days many students are going in for vocational courses. |
When we refer to a situation that is more or less temporary | She is painting the gate. |
For an action that is planned for the near future | I am going to join college next week. |
A persistent habit | Neha is always getting into trouble. |
Exceptions:
Verbs not used in the continuous tense Perception: see, hear, smell, notice, recognize |
Past Continuous Tense
We use the be verbs was or were along with the present participle form (base + -ing) of the verb to make past continuous tense. We use past continuous tense:
Past Continuous Tense | Examples |
1. to refer to something happening at the time of reference in the past 2. when we talk about something that was a persistent habit in the past |
1. The children were playing when the building collapsed. 2. He was always helping people. |
Future Continuous
We use will + be + (-ing verb) to show future continuous tense. Future continuous tense is used to talk about actions or events that will be going on at a particular time in future.
Examples:
- I will be travelling tomorrow.
- My friends will be reading storybooks after the exam.
A. Answer the following questions using the present participle forms of the verbs in brackets along with the appropriate be verb.
Question 1.
Where is Rina? He ………………………………. (work) in Riyadh these days.
Answer:
is working;
Question 2.
Why are you angry with me?
I am angry with you because you ………………………………. constantly ………………………………. (ask) me why I am angry with you.
Answer:
are, asking;
Question 3.
Shramana: Where are you going?
Bidisha: 1 ………………………………. (go) to the post office.
Answer:
am going;
Question 4.
Mala: Are you making tea?
Mother: Yes. I ………………………………. (boil) the water now.
Answer:
am boiling;
Question 5.
What are you doing this evening?
I ………………………………. (meet) my cousins for dinner.
Answer:
am meeting
B. Complete the following conversation with future continuous tense forms.
Question 1.
Simi: What will we be doing on our vacation in Dubai?
Father: Oh, lot of things. On the first day, we ………………………………. (take) a hot air balloon ride. On the second day, we ………………………………. (visit) the Burj Khalifa, the tallest man made structure in the world.
Answer:
will be taking, will be visiting
Question 2.
Zubin: Mom, will you take me to the science exhibition tomorrow?
Mom: Oh! I am so sorry. I have some work. Daddy ………………………………. (take) you to the science exhibition tomorrow.
Answer:
will be taking
C. Underline the verbs in the following sentences and identify which tenses they are in. It could be past, present or future; it could be simple or continuous.
Question 1.
I will not play the match tomorrow.
Answer:
simple future
Question 2.
The mouse is running away from that cat.
Answer:
simple present
Question 3.
I drink coffee every morning.
Answer:
present continuous
Question 4.
Pari stayed at my house last night.
Answer:
simple present
Question 5.
Remi was sleeping when Mother came home.
Answer:
past continuous
Question 6.
Anya completed the work on time.
Answer:
simple past
Perfect Tenses
Present perfect tense
We form the present perfect tense with the auxiliary verb havelhas + the past participle form of the verb. Remember, we use have with I, we, you and they; we use has with he, she and it.
Present perfect continuous tense
This tense shows that something started in the past and is continuing at the present time. The present perfect continuous is formed using the construction has/have been + the present participle (root + -ing).
We use the present perfect tense and present perfect continuous tense:
Present Perfect Tense | Examples |
1. to indicate activities completed in the immediate past 2. to express past actions when no definite time is given 3. to describe past events that have an impact on the present. 4. to denote an action that began in the past but continues up to today (using for, since etc) |
1. I have washed my clothes. 2. I have done my work. 3. He has finished all the washing that was to be done. 4. I have lived with my grandmother for the last ten years. |
Present Perfect Continuous Tense | Examples |
1. To refer to something began in the past but is still happening at the time of speaking | 1. I have been working since morning. |
Past perfect and past perfect continuous tenses
We form the past perfect tense with had + past participle form of the verb.
Past perfect continuous tense indicates a continuous action that was completed at some point in the past. This tense is formed with had + been, plus the present participle of the verb (with an -ing ending)
We use the past perfect tense and past perfect continuous tense:
Past Perfect Tense | Examples |
To indicate the earlier of the two activities that happened in the past. | The boarding of the flight had already left by the time I reached the airport. |
Past Perfect Continuous Tense | Examples |
To refer to something that began in the past and continued up to a point of reference in the past. | My mother had been feeling weak and worn for the last few days before I went to see the doctor. |
Future perfect and future perfect continuous tenses
We use will + have + past participle form of the verbs to form the future perfect tense.
We use future perfect tense to say that an action will be completed at or before a certain point of time in future.
Examples:
- They will have finished their homework by 9 p.m.
- By the time she receives my letter, I will have left this town.
Future perfect continuous tense describes actions that will continue up until a point in the future. The future perfect continuous consists of will + have + been + the verb’s present participle (verb root + -ing).
Study the table for use of tenses given below.
A. Use the correct form of the words given in brackets to complete the passage given below.
Question 1.
Environmentalists fear that if quick action ………………………………. (not take), the population of wild elephants ………………………………. (decrease) at a faster pace. There shall ………………………………. (come) a time when they will be around only in sanctuaries. When hotels and resorts poach on elephant land, the animals ………………………………. (stray) dangerously close to human preserves. When forests ………………………………. (denude), the elephants ………………………………. (become) crop raiders. As long as ivory ………………………………. (continue) to fetch escalated prices, these crimes ………………………………. (continue) against these peaceful animals which help sustain the very forest they inhabit.
Answer:
Environmentalists fear that if quick action is not taken, the population of wild elephants will decrease at a faster pace. There shall come a time when they will be around only in sanctuaries. When hotels and resorts poach on elephant land, the animals will stray dangerously close to human preserves.
When forests are denuded, the elephants will become crop raiders. As long as ivory continues to fetch escalated prices, these crimes will continue against these peaceful animals which help sustain the very forest they inhabit.
Question 2.
Mr. Kant: ………………………………. your son ………………………………. (join) college?
Mrs. Kapoor: No, he ………………………………. (not start) as yet.
Mr. Kant: ………………………………. he ………………………………. (not apply) for admission?
Mrs. Kapoor: No, he ………………………………. (pick) job last week.
Answer:
Mr. Kant: Has your son joined college?
Mrs. Kapoor: No, he has not started as yet.
Mr. Kant: Has he not applied for his admission?
Mrs. Kapoor: No, he picked a job last week.
Question 3.
Raman: What ………………………………. those children ………………………………. (do) with a shovel, in the garden?
Daman: They ………………………………. (dig) a large hole.
Raman: What ………………………………. they ………………………………. (do) that for?
Daman: I ………………………………. (not know). Perhaps they ………………………………. (look) for some buried treasure. (laughs)
Raman: I ………………………………. (hope) they find it soon.
Answer:
Raman: What are those children doing with a shovel in the garden?
Daman: They are digging a large hole.
Raman: What are they doing that for?
Daman: I do not know. Perhaps they are looking for some buried treasure.
Raman: (laughs) I hope they find it soon.
Question 4.
Last night when I ………………………………. (get) home I ………………………………. (see) a crowd outside. I ………………………………. (struggle) my way ahead and ………………………………. (shock) to see my house burgled. The door ………………………………. (be) ajar. The clothes ………………………………. (be) scattered everywhere. My legs ………………………………. (feel) weak as I ………………………………. (walk) in. I ………………………………. (go) straight to my bedroom. My locker ………………………………. (is) open and I realized that my cash ………………………………. (miss). Immediately, I ………………………………. (lodge) an FIR with the hope that they ………………………………. (apprehend) the culprits soon.
Answer:
Last night when I got home, I saw a crowd outside. I struggled my way ahead and was shocked to see my house burgled. The door was ajar. I stepped on to the porch and peeped in. The door was open. The clothes were scattered everywhere. My legs felt weak as I walked in. I went straight to my bedroom. My locker was open and realized that my cash was missing. Immediately, I lodged an FIR with the hope that they will apprehend the culprits soon.
Question 5.
We ………………………………. (drive) on the NH8. There ………………………………. (be) a huge traffic jam. Driving ahead we ………………………………. (realize) that an accident ………………………………. (take) place yesterday. A speeding car ………………………………. (collide) with a tractor. Unfortunately, the driver ………………………………. (die). Two other ………………………………. (injure) and ………………………………. (take) to the hospital. The front of the car ………………………………. (crush) almost to pieces. However, the tractor driver ………………………………. (report) to be safe.
Answer:
We were driving on the NH8. There was a huge traffic jam. Driving ahead we realized that an accident had taken place yesterday. A speeding car had collided with a tractor. Unfortunately, the driver had died. Two other were injured and were taken to the hospital. The front of the car was crushed almost to pieces. However, the tractor driver was reported to be safe.
Question 6.
The scientists, today, ………………………………. (feel) that Earth ………………………………. (run) out of room and resources. Modern man ………………………………. (plunder) so much that we ………………………………. (have) no option but to colonize space by the year 2050. If the natural resources continue to ………………………………. (exploit) at the current rate, the planet ………………………………. (outstrip) its capacity to support life by the year 2050. More than one-third of the natural world ………………………………. (exhaust) by humans over the past three decades. Consequently, the experts believe that the forests ………………………………. (destroy) and freshwater supplies will become scarce and polluted.
Answer:
The scientists, today, feel that Earth is running out of room and resources. Modern man has plundered so much that we have no option but to colonize space by the year 2050. If the natural resources continue to be exploited at the current rate, the planet will outstrip its capacity to support life by the year 2050. More than one-third of the natural world has been exhausted by humans over the past three decades. Consequently, the experts believe that the forests will be destroyed and freshwater supplies will become scarce and polluted.
B. There is an error in each line of the given paragraph. Underline the error and write the correct answer in the given blank. The error may or may not pertain to tenses.
Inactivity is the great cause of obesity
these days. People’s physical activity
had decreased these days. The main reason
are there are many labour- saving devices.
They don’t want to walk on foot.
They spend enough time sitting and
watch television. Their excess weight
makes them sick and they have to
spend money on medicines.
Answer:
a. greatest
b. People’s
c. has
d. is
e. don’t
f. enough
g. watching
h. makes
i. on