TENSES
There are twelve (12) tenses and each one has its own special use. ’Tense and ‘Time ‘mean different things – Tense is the change which takes place in the structure (i.e. farm) of the verb to donate time.
THE PRESENT SIMPLE TENSE
This is used for something known to be true. Example. Dogs are animals.
*The sun shines during the day.
*Sugar is sweet.
THE PRESENT CONTINOUS TENSE
This can be used when we want to tell people that something is happening now, at the very moment of writing or speaking. E.g
* I am going to lagos
* Daniel is writing a letter
*Nneka is insulting her friend.
* Yakubu is dancing.
THE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE
It shows that a past activity is closely or almost joined to the present. Example
*She has written a letter.
* We have waited for four hours
*They have gone to the market
THE PRESENT PERFECT CONTINOUS TENSE
It shows that activities which began in the past have been going on until the present. Example
- They have been dancing since seven 0’o clock
- Paul has been crying since two 0’clock.
- Iyabo has been writing letters since nine 0’clock.
THE SIMPLE PAST TENSE
It indicates past activities which are not joined to the present. Example
*Mercy wrote a letter to her friend yesterday.
*Onyinyechi did her home work last week.
*Last year, Philip spent his holiday in Abuja.
THE PAST CONTINOUS TENSE
It is used when we want to show that two actions simultaneous.
Examples:
*Kemi was singing while her friend was dancing.
*Mrs Oseni was cooking while her daughter was washing was washing plates and cups.
THE PAST PERFECT TENSE
Shows that an event took place before another event in the past. Example
* The basket ball match had begun when Samuel and James arrived.
* The train had left before he had read most of the History text books
THE PAST PERFECT CONTINOUS TENSE
This is used when we want to show that an incident took place before another incident in the past and that particular incident was continuous. Example:
* Hammed had been working for the national bank for six years when he was promoted.
* At four O’clock Emeka and Chibuzor had been playing football for three hours.
THE FUTURE TENSE
It is used to show an event that will take place in the future. Example:
I shall write a letter to my brother
They will attend the party.
We will meet the principal in the office
THE FUTURE CONTIOUS TENSE
We use this tens, when we want to show the activities will be continuing in the future. Example:
* Next July, we shall be taking our universities matriculation examination.
* My Uncle will be studying at the college of education next month
THE FUTURE PERFECT CONTIOUS TENSE
It shows that activities considered in the future as past will be going “on and on”. Example
* She will have been studying mathematics.
THE FUTURE PERFECT TENSE
It deals with time in the future. It shows that at a certain time in the future, event will be in the past. Example:
* You will have finished that English textbook next week
* By two O’clock she will have been here four hours.
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