E-LEARNING POST: TENSES MADE EASY
"Tense = TIME + ASPECT"
If you understand these 2, you understand all 12 tenses.
1. TIME FRAME - WHEN?
This tells us when the action happens.
- Past* : Yesterday
- Present*: Today
- Future* : Tomorrow
2. ASPECT - HOW?*
This tells us how the action happens.
1. Simple/Indefinite*: Just a fact. "I teach."
2. Continuous/Progressive*: Action is going on. "I am teaching."
3. Perfect*: Action is completed. "I have taught."
4. Perfect Continuous*: Action started in past and still going. "I have been teaching."
THE TENSE*
Imagine the 3x4 concept
1. SIMPLE* Fact
2. CONTINUOUS* Going On
3. PERFECT* Completed
4. PERFECT CONT.* Started & Still On
PAST:--
a. I taught.
b. I was teaching.
c. I had taught
d. I had been teaching since morning.
PRESENT:--
a. I teach.
b. I am teaching.
c. I have taught.
d. I have been teaching since morning.
FUTURE:--
a. I will teach.
b. I will be teaching.
c. I will have taught.
d. I will have been teaching since morning.
Trick to Remember:*
TIME + ASPECT = TENSE
Ex: Past + Continuous = I was* teaching
REAL LIFE EXAMPLE*
Think of a Teacher in class:
1. Simple Present*: I teach science. (Daily routine)
2. Present Continuous*: I am teaching right now. (At this moment)
3. Present Perfect*: I have taught 3 chapters. ( started in past and Completed in present)
4. Present Perfect Cont.*: I have been teaching for 10 years. (Started past, still on)
