Delhi PSC – English Language
Topic: Tenses
Tenses tell when an action occurs: past, present or future.
Mastering them is essential for accurate reading comprehension, sentence‑formation, and answering fill‑in‑the‑blank questions in the Delhi PSC exam.
1. Simple Explanation
| Time Frame | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Past | She walked to the market. | The action finished in the past. |
| Present | She walks to the market. | The action happens now (habit or fact). |
| Future | She will walk to the market. | The action will happen later. |
Tense = verb form + time marker (if any).
In English, 12 principal tenses are grouped into 3 major categories (simple, continuous, perfect) and further into 3 time periods.
2. Key Points (Quick Reference)
| Category | Main Tenses | Formation | Typical Use | Common Mistakes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple | • Simple Past • Simple Present • Simple Future (will/shall) |
- Past: verb + ed (irregular verbs vary)- Present: base verb (add s / es for 3rd‑person singular) - Future: will + base verb |
• Completed actions • Facts • Scheduled events |
Forget irregular past forms (e.g., go → went). |
| Continuous (Progressive) | • Past Continuous • Present Continuous • Future Continuous |
be (in appropriate tense) + verb‑ing |
• Ongoing actions at a specific time | Using simple tense instead of be‑ing. |
| Perfect | • Past Perfect • Present Perfect • Future Perfect |
have/has/had + past participle |
• Actions completed before another time or event | Confusing have with be in perfect forms. |
| Perfect Continuous | • Past Perfect Continuous • Present Perfect Continuous • Future Perfect Continuous |
have/has/had been + verb‑ing |
• Duration of an action up to a point | Over‑use of continuous where simple perfect is required. |
3. When to Use Which Tense
| Situation | Tense to Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Action finished before a past event | Past Perfect | She had finished the report before the meeting. |
| Action ongoing at a specific past time | Past Continuous | She was reading when the phone rang. |
| Action currently happening | Present Continuous | She is studying for the exam. |
| Habitual action in the present | Simple Present | She goes to the market every Sunday. |
| Future plan or intention | Future Simple (will) |
She will go to the market tomorrow. |
| Duration up to now | Present Perfect Continuous | She has been studying for 3 hours. |
| Future completion before a later event | Future Perfect | By next week, she will have finished the project. |
4. Worked Example – Paragraph Analysis
Paragraph
When I was a child, I loved books. I could read by the time I was six. Now, I am reading a novel about the Delhi history, and I will finish it next month. Until then, I have been reading one chapter a day.
| Sentence | Tense | Why it’s used |
|---|---|---|
| When I was a child, I loved books. | Past Simple | Describes a completed state in the past. |
| I could read by the time I was six. | Past Simple | Shows a skill that existed in the past. |
| Now, I am reading a novel about the Delhi history, | Present Continuous | Indicates an action happening right now. |
| and I will finish it next month. | Future Simple | States a planned future action. |
| Until then, I have been reading one chapter a day. | Present Perfect Continuous | Highlights the duration of the ongoing activity up to the present. |
Key take‑aways from the paragraph
- Past Simple for finished states or habitual past actions.
- Present Continuous for current actions.
- Future Simple for future intentions or schedules.
- Present Perfect Continuous to emphasise how long something has been happening.
5. Quick Revision Summary
| Category | 3 Tenses | Typical Formation | Quick Mnemonic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple | Past, Present, Future | verb + ed / base / will + base |
Simple: State of being |
| Continuous | Past, Present, Future | be (in tense) + verb‑ing |
Continuous: Consistent action |
| Perfect | Past, Present, Future | have/has/had + past participle |
Perfect: Past action completed |
| Perfect Continuous | Past, Present, Future | have/has/had been + verb‑ing |
Perfect‑Continuous: Period of action |
Quick Tips for Delhi PSC
- Identify the time reference in the sentence (e.g., before, by, now, later).
- Check for auxiliary verbs (am, is, was, *