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Grammar
For English learners or those grappling with language barriers, mastering grammar is pivotal. Understanding basic grammar rules lays a strong foundation for effective communication. Remembering subject-verb agreement ensures clarity; mismatched subjects and verbs can confuse readers. Punctuation marks, like commas and periods, structure sentences, guiding readers through ideas. Proper tense usage denotes time accurately, enhancing coherence. Pronoun-antecedent agreement prevents ambiguity, ensuring pronouns match their intended nouns. Additionally, avoiding run-on sentences and fragments maintains readability. Practicing grammar exercises and seeking feedback cultivates proficiency. Embracing these fundamentals empowers individuals to express themselves fluently and confidently in English, fostering effective communication.
Tense
In English grammar, tense refers to the form of a verb that indicates the time of an action or state of being. Tenses help convey when an action occurred, whether it is happening now, happened in the past, or will happen in the future. English has three main tenses: past, present, and future. Each of these tenses can be further divided into four aspects: simple, continuous (also known as progressive), perfect, and perfect continuous. The choice of tense depends on the context and when the action or state is happening relative to the present moment or another point in time. Mastering tenses is essential for clear and accurate communication in English.
Type of tenses are as follows
Past
Present
Future
Past Tense :- When we talk about something that already happened, we use the past tense. It's like looking back at things that have already occurred.
Form :- subject + verb (past/v2)
Example :- 1) I played cricket with my friend last Saturday.
2) I ate pizza
3) I went to school.
4) Kavi gave us a present for our wedding anniversary.
Note:- In the sentence above, the words which are bold and italicized are verbs. To form a past sentence, we usually add "ed" to the verb word, but in some cases, the verb is in a special past tense form. For example, 'ate,' 'went,' and 'gave' in sentences 2, 3, and 4 are the past forms of the verbs 'eat,' 'go,' and 'give' respectively.
Practice 1
Past Continuous Tense :- When we talk about unfinished, ongoing action in the past (+ finished action)
Form : subject + was/were + verb (ing)
uses of was/were:- Was :- i/he/she/it
Were :- you/we/they
Example :- 1) I was having dinner with my family when ram came.
2) It was raining when raj left for work.
3) The power went out while they were studying.
Past Perfect Tense :- The first past action (when there are two or more past action) or when an action that was completed before another action took place in the past.
It is formed by combining the past tense of the auxiliary verb "to have" (had) with the past participle form of the main verb.
Form : subject + had + verb (past participle/v3)
Example :- 1) She had already finished her homework when I arrived. ( "had finished" is in the past perfect tense, indicating that the action of finishing the homework occurred before the action of arriving.)
2) When we got to the theater, the movie had started.
3) He was sick because he had eaten too much the previous night.
4) The man looked very familiar. I had seen him somewhere else.
Past Perfect Continuous Tense :- The first (continuous ) past action
Form : subject + had been + verb (ing)
Example :- 1) He felt really tired because he had been playing cricket all day.
2) She had been waiting for two hours when the doctor finally arrived.
3) The ground was wet because it had been raining .
Present Tense :- The present tense is used to describe actions happening right now or regularly occurring actions.
Form : subject + verb (present/V1)
Example :- a) Habit and routines
1) I Drink tea every morning. (regularly occurring action)
2) Rahul goes to the gym every weekend.
3) Bunty often play cricket after school.
b) Facts
1) Water boils at 100 degree Centigrade.
2) Juli works as a teacher.
Note :- In Present tense, if the subject is I, You, We, or They we use a verb without -s as you can see in the given table.
And, if the subject is He, She, or It, we add -s to the verb.
Present Continuous Tense :- The present continuous tense is used to describe actions that are happening at the moment of speaking or actions that are ongoing around the present time. It emphasizes the temporary nature of an action that is currently in progress.
Form : subject + am/is/are + verb (ing)
Example :- 1) I am drinking tea right now. ( Action happening right now , (at the time of speaking))
2) We are having breakfast.
3) It is raining outside.
4) Raju is learning to play the guitar. ( Temporary Activities )
5) English Lessons on youtube are becoming very popular these days. ( Changes taking place now)
Note :- In Present continuous tense, if the subject is "I" then we use "am" , if "he/she/it" then use "is" and for "you/we/they" we use "are" as helping verb.
Present Perfect Tense :- The present perfect tense is used to describe actions or events that happened at an indefinite time in the past but have relevance to the present moment. It often emphasizes the result or consequence of the action rather than the action itself.
Form : subject + have/has + verb (past participle / V3)
Example :- 1) I have taught English to many students. ( Shows Experience of teaching )
2) She has visited delhi five times. ( Shows Experience in her life)
3) We have seen two movies this week.
4) I have finished my homework. ( Recent action or events )
Note :- In Present Perfect tense, if the subject is "I/You/We/They" then we use have and for "He/She/It" we use has.
Present Perfect Continuous Tense :- The present perfect continuous tense is used to describe actions or situations that started in the past and are still continuing up to the present moment, or have just recently stopped. It emphasizes the duration or ongoing nature of an action that started in the past and has relevance to the present.
Form : subject + have/has been + verb (ing)
Example :- 1) I have been waiting to see the doctor for two hours / since 6 am. (Action started in the past and are still continuing )
2) He has been playing football since he was a kid/ for 10 years.
3) It has been raining all morning / since 4 am.
Note :- When you mention the amount of time or starting point (like two hours , for 10 years etc), you must use present perfect continuous tense.
Future Tense :- Future tense is used to describe actions that will happen at a later time. It often involves auxiliary verbs like "will" or "shall," or forms like "going to."
Future simple tense have three forms
1) Going to -> Plans and intentions
Form : subject + am/is/are going to + verb (base)
Example :- 1) We are going to buy a car.
2) I am going to start exercising regularly.
3) Rahul is going to take a vacation from work.
2) Present Continuous -> Fixed arrangements
Form : subject + am/is/are + verb (ing)
Example :- 1) I am having lunch with my parents on Sunday.
2) We are Flying to delhi the day after tomorrow.
3) Rahul is giving a presentation to the board of directors on the 20th sep.
3) Will -> instant decisions, offers, promises
Form : subject + will + verb (base)
Example :- 1)" May i take your order?"
Yes I will have the sandwich and fries combo and same for my friends as well, please."
2) "The phone is rinning".
" I will get it"
3) "These books are too heavy".
"I will help you with them."
Making Predictions -> will and going to
Will ---> prediction based on knowledge/personal experience
1) I think India will win the t20 world cup 2024.
2) You should watch " The Olymus has fallen" movie. I'm sure you will love it.
Going to ---> prediction based on something in the present.
1) Look at the sky. It is going to rain soon.
2) Mom is going to be really happy when she sees my grades.
Future Continuous Tense :- The future continuous tense is used to describe actions that will be ongoing at a specific point in the future. It emphasizes the duration or progression of the action rather than its completion. This tense is formed by using the future form of the verb "to be" (will be) followed by the present participle (the -ing form) of the main verb.
Form : subject + will be + verb (ing)
Example :- 1) At 11 a.m. tomorrow, i will be driving to Delhi. ( Ongoing actions in the future -To describe an action that will be in progress at a particular moment in the future. In this example 11 a.m tomorrow is the fixed time when i will start driving )
2) "Do you want to come with s to the movies on Sunday evening?" " I can't. I will be working until late."
3) I will be staying at Radission Hotel in Delhi. (Fixed Or Routine Event- For events that are planned, fixed, routine event or expected to happen in the normal course of things. )
4) While you are sleeping, I will be working.(Simultaneous actions - To describe two actions that will be happening at the same time in the future )
5) Will you be using the car this evening? (Polite inquiries about plans- To ask politely about someone's plans.)
Future Perfect Tense :- The future perfect tense is used to describe an action that will be completed by a specific point in the future. This tense emphasizes the completion of the action before a certain future moment.
Form : subject + will have + verb (past participle/v3)
Example :- 1) By September, John will have saved Rs.80,000. (completed action in the future )
2) By 8 a.m., we will have painted the living room. (completed action in the future )
3) By the time you get home, I will have cooked dinner.
Future Perfect Continuous Tense :- The future perfect continuous tense, also known as the future perfect progressive tense, is used to describe an action that will have been ongoing for a period of time by a specific point in the future. This tense emphasizes the duration of an action up to a certain future moment.
Form : subject + will have been + verb (ing)
Example :- 1) By September, John will have been saving money for six months.(ongoing action in the future (with duration)
2) By 8 a.m., we will have been painting the living room for ten hours.(ongoing action in the future (with duration)
3) She will have been teaching for twenty years by next summer.
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