CLASS IX
TENSES
🧭 I. Tense Types & Their Aspects
Every verb tense expresses when an action occurs and how it unfolds over time. English tenses are divided into:
➤ Three Time Frames
Present – Now
Past – Before now
Future – After now
➤ Four Aspects
Aspect Function
Simple States general truths, habits, or completed actions without duration focus
Continuous (Progressive) Emphasizes ongoing or unfinished actions
Perfect Describes completed actions relevant to another time or result
Perfect Continuous Describes actions that began earlier and continued up to a point in time
II. Structure of All 12 Tenses with Examples
TENSE STRUCTURE EXAMPLE
Simple Present Subject + V₁ (+s/es) She teaches English.
Present Continuous Subject + is/am/are + V₁ + ing I am writing an article.
Present Perfect Subject + has/have + V₃ They have won the match.
Present Perfect Continuous Subject + has/have been + V₁ + ing He has been studying since morning.
Simple Past Subject + V₂ We visited the museum.
Past Continuous Subject + was/were + V₁ + ing She was cooking when I arrived.
Past Perfect Subject + had + V₃ He had already left before I came.
Past Perfect Continuous Subject + had been + V₁ + ing They had been driving for hours when they found help.
Simple Future Subject + will/shall + V₁ I will join the class tomorrow.
Future Continuous Subject + will/shall be + V₁ + ing She will be attending the seminar.
Future Perfect Subject + will/shall have + V₃ We will have finished the syllabus by March.
Future Perfect Continuous Subject + will/shall have been + V₁ + ing By next week, he will have been working here for five years.
III. Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Incorrect ✅ Correct Rule Broken
She has went to the market. She has gone to the market. Use V₃ with perfect tenses, not V₂
He was eating and goes to school. He was eating and went to school. Maintain consistent tense in compound sentences
They have been eat for hours. They have been eating for hours. Continuous tenses require V₁ + ing
She will be arrived soon. She will arrive soon. Avoid passive with intransitive/simple verbs
I did not knew the answer. I did not know the answer. After “did,” use base form of verb
IV. Quick Learning Tips
💡 Context ✅ Tense to Use 📝 Example
Daily routine Simple Present He goes for a walk every morning.
Interrupted past action Past Continuous + Simple Past She was reading when the bell rang.
Prior past before another Past Perfect They had left before I arrived.
Action ongoing till now Present Perfect Continuous I have been living here for five years.
Talking about future plan Future Continuous / Simple Future We will be meeting the director tomorrow.
Experience-based statements Present Perfect I have never seen snowfall.
Past duration Past Perfect Continuous She had been crying before the call.
Predicted completion Future Perfect They will have reached by 9 PM.
V. Exercise (Gap Filling)
Title: The Academic Exchange Programme
Last semester, our school ____ (organise) an exchange programme with a German school. Students from both countries ____
(participate) enthusiastically. By the time they ____ (arrive), we ____ (already/make) all the arrangements. While the guests ____
(explore) the school campus, our students ____ (explain) the cultural activities. Over the week, they ____ (share) knowledge and
____ (develop) long-lasting friendships. By the end of the programme, everyone ____ (gain) valuable insights and ____
(promise) to stay in touch.
SOLUTIONS:
Title: The Academic Exchange Programme
Last semester, our school organised an exchange programme with a German school. Students from both countries participated
enthusiastically. By the time they arrived, we had already made all the arrangements. While the guests were exploring the school
campus, our students were explaining the cultural activities. Over the week, they shared knowledge and developed long-lasting
friendships. By the end of the programme, everyone had gained valuable insights and promised to stay in touch.
Tense Breakdown for Each Sentence
Verb Phrase Tense Used Why It’s Used
organised, participated Simple Past Describes actions completed in the past
arrived, had already made Past Perfect Shows one action was completed before another past event
were exploring, were explaining Past Continuous Indicates ongoing actions happening simultaneously in the past
shared, developed Simple Past Lists completed actions during a specific period
had gained Past Perfect Reflects completion of learning before the end of the programme
promised Simple Past Final act that occurred at the conclusion
