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Time to study language

The simple tense can be divided into three categories: simple past, simple present and
simple future.

• The simple past tense is used to describe an activity that happened in the past.
For example,

♦ A few curious folks gathered around the man.

• The simple present tense is used to state facts and habits and to describe scheduled events
in the future. For example,
♦ Bollywood releases about 1500 films every year.

• The simple future tense is used to speak about actions that will happen in the future.
For example,
♦ The director will release the film in October next year.

The continuous tense shows an action that is, was, or will be in progress at a certain time. The

continuous tense can be divided into three categories: past continuous, present continuous
and future continuous.

• The past continuous tense is used to show an action which was happening at some point in
the past and has been completed. For example,
♦ The artists were working overtime to complete the film.

• The present continuous tense is used to talk about actions that are in progress at the

moment of speaking. For example,
♦ The children are watching the film in wonder.

• The future continuous tense is used to talk about actions that will be happening at some
point in the future. For example,

♦ We will be going to the theatre tomorrow.

The perfect tense shows an action that is completed or already done. The perfect tense can be
divided into three categories: past perfect, present perfect and future perfect.

• The past perfect tense is used to show that an action was completed at a time when another
action happened. For example,
♦ The film had begun before we reached the theatre.

• The present perfect tense is used to show an action which was completed at some point in
the past and the results or consequences of the action are relevant now. For example,
♦ The actor has received the award for ‘Best Actor 2024’.

We will learn about the future perfect tense in later classes.

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