Start here · the first lesson of Tenses (identification and sequence)
Tenses (identification and sequence)
Grammar: Voice, Narration, Tenses + Rule Bank · for IPMAT Indore, IPMAT Rohtak and JIPMAT
Sign in to watch · 4 min video
The idea
English has twelve tense forms: three times (present, past, future) × four aspects (simple, continuous, perfect, perfect continuous). JIPMAT asks for them in three ways: name the tense of a sentence (2021), match List I with List II (2024, 2025, 2026: four sentences against four tense names), and choose the right tense form in a sentence (2024 Q2, 2025 Q5). Indian books often say indefinite for simple (present indefinite = simple present).
Textbook vs exam method
Textbook method
| Simple (indefinite) | Continuous | Perfect | Perfect continuous | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Present | writes / write | is / am / are writing | has / have written | has / have been writing |
| Past | wrote | was / were writing | had written | had been writing |
| Future | will / shall write | will / shall be writing | will / shall have written | will / shall have been writing |
Questions and negatives of the simple tenses use do / does / did + base verb (Did you lock…? He does not eat…): still simple past and simple present.
In the passive the tense sits in "be": is written (simple present), is being written (present continuous), has been written (present perfect), was being written (past continuous), will be written (simple future), had been written (past perfect).
Choosing the tense in a sentence
- since / for up to now → present perfect (continuous): I have known her for ten years.
- the earlier of two past actions → past perfect: the train had already left.
- by + future time / by the time + present → future perfect: I will have cooked dinner.
- for + period + a future moment → future perfect continuous: I shall have been waiting for an hour.
- habits and general truths → simple present: Every morning he goes for a walk.
- if / when clauses about the future → simple present, not "will": If it rains tomorrow…
Exam method
- First auxiliary → time. is / am / are / has / have / do / does = present; was / were / had / did = past; will / shall = future.
- Next word → aspect. ing = continuous; have / had + past participle = perfect; been + -ing = perfect continuous; nothing = simple.
- Check for a passive. be + past participle: read the tense from "be" only.
- Match-the-list items. fix the pair you are surest of (usually the simple form) and eliminate; one more pair usually decides.