Nouns in English grammar | Definitions , Types and Examples | Easy English Grammar

Introduction :

A noun is a word that refers to a person , place , thing , animal or idea . Nouns are one of the basic parts of speech and are often called the building blocks of sentences .

Examples of nouns include :

Person : Mike , Maya , doctor , teacher ,  etc.

Place : London , park , beach , college , etc,

Thing : Car , table , book , chair , computer , etc.

Animal : Dog , cat , monkey , etc.

Idea : Love , peace , freedom , justice , etc.

Nouns can be used as the subject of a sentence (e.g. The dog barked ) , the object of a verb (e.g. She kicked the ball ) , or as the object of a preposition (e.g. He walked to the store ) . 

Nouns can also be singular or,  plural , and can be further categorized into common nouns (general items) , proper nouns (specific, named items) , etc.

1. Proper noun :

A proper noun is a specific name used to identify a particular person , place , or thing . Proper nouns are always capitalized .

Examples of proper nouns include :

Person : Mike , Maya , Puja , Riya ,  Michael Jordan , etc.

Place : India , New York City , Paris , Mount Everest , Delhi , Mumbai , etc.

Organization : United Nations , Coca-Cola Company , Harvard University , Reliance etc.

Title : Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone , Star Wars : A New Hope etc.

2. Common noun :

A common noun is a general name for a person , place , thing or idea . Common nouns are not capitalized unless they begin a sentence .

Examples of common nouns include :

Person : teacher , doctor , musician , student , etc.

Place : city , park , beach , school , etc. 

Thing : book , car , chair , computer , etc.

Idea : freedom , justice , happiness , education , etc.

Note :

Common nouns are different from proper nouns , which are specific names for people , places , or things .

For example , " book " is a common noun , but " The Catcher in the Rye " is a proper noun because it refers to a specific book title .

3. Collective noun :

A collective noun is a singular noun that refers to a group of individuals , animals , or things as a single unit .

List of collective nouns :

(i) a pack of thieves  , (ii) a pack of cards , (iii) a packet of letters , (iv) a wad of notes , (v)  a pair of shoes , (vi) a quiver of arrows  , (vii) a range of mountains , (viii) a ream of paper , (ix) a reel of film , (x) a set of clubs , (xi) a bunch of keys , (xii) a bundle of sticks ,

(xiii) a catalogue of prices , (xiv) a chest of drawers , (xv) a cluster of coconuts , (xvi) a fleet of ships , (xvii) a forest of trees , (xviii) a troop of lions , (xix) a galaxy of stars , (xx) a group of islands , (xxi) a troop of scouts , (xxii) a band of musicians , etc.

Collective nouns can be tricky because they are singular nouns that refer to a group , but they can be treated as either singular or plural in a sentence . 

For example , you can say  " The team is playing well " (singular) or,  " The team are all wearing their uniforms " (plural) . It depends on the context of the sentence .

4. Material noun :

A material noun is a noun that refers to a substance or material out of which things are made.

Examples of material nouns include :

Wood : The table is made of wood .

Steel : The bridge is constructed with steel .

Gold : The necklace is made of gold .

Leather : The shoes are made of leather . 

Material nouns are different from other types of nouns because they refer to the physical substance or material of an object rather than the object itself . They are often used when describing the composition or ingredients of an object .

5. Concrete noun :

A concrete noun is a noun that refers to a physical object or a substance that can be perceived through the five senses .

Examples of concrete nouns include :

Chair : I sat on the chair .

Dog : The dog chased the ball .

Water : I drank a glass of water .

Tree : The leaves on the tree turned red in the fall .

6. Abstract noun :

An abstract noun is a noun that refers to a concept , idea , or feeling that cannot be perceived through the five senses .

Examples of abstract nouns include :

Love : The couple's love for each other was evident in their actions .

Courage : The firefighter showed great courage in saving the child from the burning building .

Happiness : The children's laughter filled the room with happiness .

Justice : The court's decision to acquit the defendant was a triumph for justice .

Abstract nouns are different from concrete nouns , which refer to physical objects that can be perceived through the senses . Abstract nouns can be challenging to define because they represent intangible concepts or ideas , but they are important in expressing thoughts , emotions , and ideas in language .

7. Countable and Uncountable Nouns :

Countable Nouns – Countable nouns can be counted like one pen , two ladies , one chair , etc. These nouns take articles (a, an, the) with them .

Uncountable Nouns – Uncountable nouns cannot be counted . For example , water, soil, sugar, salt, etc . 

Abstract nouns and Proper Noun are always uncountable while Common and Concrete nouns can be both countable and well as uncountable nouns .

8. Number nouns :

Number nouns are nouns that refer to quantities or numerical values . 

There are two main types of number nouns : (i) singular and (ii) plural .

Singular number nouns refer to a single entity , while plural number nouns refer to more than one entity . The plural form of most nouns is created by adding " -s " or " -es " to the end of the singular noun .

Examples of singular number nouns include :

Cat : I saw a cat in the garden .

House : The house is painted blue .

Child : The child is playing in the park .

Examples of plural number nouns include :

Cats : There are three cats in the garden .

Houses : The houses are painted blue .

Children : The children are playing in the park .

9. Noun genders :

(i) Masculine –  nouns that refer to the male classification of a person, animal or thing like man , lion , moon , etc.

(ii) Feminine –  nouns denoting a female class of a person , animal or thing like nature , tigress , woman , etc.

(iii) Neuter –  nouns that denote a thing without life , either female or male , like pen , room , book , etc.

10. Functions of Nouns – Cases :

Case in a grammatical category which reflects the grammatical function performed by a noun or a pronoun in a phrase , clause or sentence .

In English grammar, there are four cases of nouns :

 

(i) Nominative case , (ii) Objective case , (iii) Possessive case and (iv) Dative case .

(i) Nominative case : Nouns in the nominative case are used as the subject of a sentence or clause , or as a predicate nominative (a noun or pronoun that renames or explains the subject) . Nouns in the nominative case are generally not preceded by a preposition .

Example : The dog chased the ball  ( In this sentence , " dog " is the subject of the sentence and it is in the nominative case )

(ii) Objective case : Nouns in the objective case are used as the object of a verb or preposition . There are two types of objective case – (i) direct object and (ii) indirect object .

Example : She gave the book to him  ( In this sentence , " book " is the direct object of the verb " gave " and " him " is the indirect object of the verb )

(iii) Possessive case : Nouns in the possessive case show ownership or possession . In the possessive case , an apostrophe and the letter " s " are added to the end of the noun ( or just an apostrophe if the noun already ends in "s" )

Example : The cat's tail was fluffy  ( In this sentence , " cat's " is the possessive form of the noun " cat " and it shows ownership of the tail )

Important points :

(a) If a plural noun ends in  " s / es " , " s " is not added while apostrophe with the plural form .

Example : Boys’ , Girls’ , etc.

But if plural form is different from singular form " s " comes with both the forms .

Example : Child’ s , children’ s etc.

(b) When nouns end with hissing sound , s is not added after apostrophe .

Example : For peace’ shake (For peace’s shake is wrong) , Ganesh idol etc.

  

(c) Apostrophe is not used with non-living things .

Example : " Table’s leg " is not correct , it is " Leg of the table " .

(d) Do not use double apostrophe in a sentence .

Example : " My wife’s secretary’s mother is ill " is wrong , it is "Mother of my wife’s secretary is ill " .

(e) " ’s " is used with anybody / nobody / everybody / somebody / anyone / someone / no one / everyone , e.g. Everyone’s concern is no one’s concern .

If " else " is used with anybody / somebody / no one etc. then " ’s " is used with " else " , e.g. I can rely on your words not somebody else’s . 

(iv) Dative case : We use this case when we need to say something by pointing someone or addressing someone .

Example :

 

(a) Ram , you are a very nice person .

(b) Rai , go there .

(c) Mantu , read loudly .

(d) Piya , stop talking .

*** Some basic questions on nouns for better understanding  –

1. Which of the following is an example of a proper noun ?

a) book

b) car

c) London

d) table

2. Which of the following is an example of a common noun ?

a) Statue of Liberty

b) Coca-Cola

c) Television

d) United States

3. Which of the following is an example of a concrete noun ?

a) love

b) freedom

c) tree

d) courage

4. Which of the following is an example of an abstract noun ?

a) book

b) music

c) chair

d) car

5. Which of the following is an example of a collective noun ?

a) team

b) house

c) mountain

d) river

6. Which of the following is a countable noun ?

a) water

b) air

c) milk

d) chair

7. Which of the following is an example of an uncountable noun ?

a) book

b) furniture

c) bottle

d) pencil

8. Which of the following is an example of a compound noun ?

a) house

b) car

c) snow

d) greenhouse

9. Which of the following is an example of a possessive noun ?

a) cat

b) dog's

c) house

d) car

10. Which of the following is an example of a concrete collective noun ?

a) family

b) herd

c) team

d) flock

Answers :

1. Answer : c) London

Explanation : Proper nouns are specific names of people , places or things . "London" is a specific city and a proper noun .

2. Answer : c) Television

Explanation : Common nouns are general names for people , places , or things . " television " is a general name for a device used for watching programs or movies .

3. Answer : c) tree

Explanation : Concrete nouns are physical objects that can be perceived through the senses . " tree " is a physical object that can be seen , touched  and smelled .

4. Answer : b) music

Explanation : Abstract nouns are ideas, emotions, or concepts that cannot be perceived through the senses . " music " is an abstract noun as it represents an intangible concept or feeling .

5. Answer : a) team

Explanation : Collective nouns are names for groups of people , animals  or things . " team " is a collective noun as it refers to a group of people working together towards a common goal .

6. Answer : d) chair

Explanation : Countable nouns are objects that can be counted , and " chair " is an object that can be counted as one , two , three and so on .

7. Answer : b) furniture

Explanation : Uncountable nouns are objects that cannot be counted and " furniture " is a category of objects that cannot be counted individually .

8. Answer : d) greenhouse

Explanation : A compound noun is a noun that is made up of two or more words and " greenhouse " is a compound noun made up of " green " and " house " .

9. Answer : b) dog's

Explanation : A possessive noun shows ownership or possession and " dog's " is a possessive form of the noun " dog " .

10. Answer : b) herd

Explanation : A concrete collective noun is a name for a group of physical objects that can be counted  and " herd " is a concrete collective noun used for a group of animals such as cows , sheep or elephants .

Subject - Verb Agreement in English Grammar | Definitions and examples | Easy English Grammar (Part - 2)

9. When two subjects are joined together by “ and ” but the two subjects refer to only one person or thing , a singular verb should be used .

Example :

Our principal and mathematics teacher knows me .

In the above sentence , Our principal and mathematics teacher is not two different people but , our principal is also our mathematics teacher , hence the subject is our principal , and it is a singular noun , hence , singular verb .

Now consider this example –

Our principal and the mathematics teacher .

This is quite different from the first sentence because Our principal and the mathematics teacher are two different subjects because of the use of “ the ” Mathematics teacher .

Hence , in this second sentence , you use a plural verb .

10. When amount or, unit is mentioned in a statement , units such as five thousand , three hundred , percent , twenty meters , five times , and so on . The next verb must be singular .

Example :

(i) Two pounds of flour is (not are) too few to bake a cake .

(ii) Ten percent of my earnings goes (not go) to my wife .

11. When mathematical facts such as subtraction , multiplication , addition , division , and so on , are used , the verb will be any of singular and plural , that is , a singular or plural verb can be used when mathematical facts are used .

Example :

(i) Ten plus ten is / are ( are and is are both correct) twenty .

(ii) Ten multiplied by two is / are twenty .

Both singular and plural are correct .

 

12. (a) Every + plural : When every precedes a plural , the next verb is plural .

Example :  Every ten liters of oil bought come (not comes) with a bonus of an extra liter .

But when “every” appears without any plural number, the verb is singular.

Example :  Every man (not men) likes cricket .

 

(b) When “ and ” joins two or more subjects with every or each , the verb should be singular .

Example :

(i) Every man and woman speaks ( not speak) good English here .

(ii) Every student and teacher comes ( not come) to school early .

(c) When “ most ” is used , the verb will either be singular or plural , depending on whether the referent is a countable or uncountable noun .

Example :

(i) Most of the boys (countable noun) are tall .

(ii) Most of the time (uncountable noun) , John has (not have) always been there for her .

(d) When “ much ” is used in a statement , the verb to be used must be singular .

Example :

Much of the water has (not have) been spilled .

(e)  When “ all ” appears , it means either everything or all the people .

When all means everything , the verb to be used should be Singular but when all means all the people , the verb to be used should be plural .

Example :

(i) All are already seated in the hall .

In the above sentence , “All” means all the people are already seated in the hall hence a plural verb .

But ,

(ii) All is well with me .

In the above sentence , “All” means everything is well with me hence a singular verb.

(f) When “ all but ” is used, the following verb should be plural

Example :

All but John are (not is) on the bus . That means , only John is absent .

13. Either or neither :

When either or neither joins two singular nouns together , the following verb should be singular .

Example :

(i) Either John or Jackson knows (not know) me.

(ii) Neither Mary nor her friend was (not were) here.

But , when either or neither joins two subjects (one singular and the other plural), the verb should be chosen by considering the nearer of the two subjects .

Example : Either James or his friends know me .

You can see that the word “ friends ” is nearer to the verb gap than it is near James .

 

# # These rules also apply , when “but or but even” joins two subjects .

Example :

(i) Not only Sola but even teachers laugh in school .

(ii) Not Lawrence but James speaks good English .

You can see that the word James is nearer to the verb gap than it is near Lawrence, hence, you use singular verb .

 

14. Each and one of :

When “ each ” appears , a singular noun + a singular verb will be chosen .

Example :

Each boy (not boys) has a car .

But , when “ each of or one of  ” appears , the next noun should be plural but the next verb should be singular .

Example :

Each of the candidates (not candidate) stands (not stand) a good chance to win a scholarship .

15. (a) When a negative sentence is written, the ‘do’ verb is used and it has to match the subject.

Example :

(i) The children do not like working out trigonometry problems .

(ii) My father does not work at the bank anymore .

(b) Interrogative sentences take the help of the ‘ do ’ verb . As far as the subject-verb agreement of interrogative sentences is concerned , the first verb (‘be’ verb or ‘do’ verb) has to be aligned with the subject of the sentence .

Example :

(i) Do you read romantic novels ?

(ii) Doesn’t he know you already ?

(iii) Is Rap happy with the new phone ?

(iv) Were you looking for me ?

(v) Has Sara submitted her final project yet ?

Subject - Verb Agreement in English Grammar | Definitions and examples | Easy English Grammar (Part - 1)

Subject-verb agreement is a grammatical concept that refers to the correspondence between the subject and the verb in a sentence . In English, the subject and the verb must agree in number , person , and tense . This means that if the subject is singular , the verb should be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural .

1. (a) Singular subject with a singular verb :

When the subject of a sentence is singular, the verb should also be singular .

Example : The dog barks at the postmaster .

In this sentence , "dog" is the singular subject, and "barks" is the singular verb that agrees with the subject .

(b) Plural subject with a plural verb :

When the subject of a sentence is plural, the verb should also be plural .

Example : The dogs bark at the postmaster .

In this sentence , "dogs" is the plural subject, and "bark" is the plural verb that agrees with the subject .

More examples :

(i) Swati spends her free time listening to music . (Singular subject with singular verb)

(ii) Krishna and Balram play the piano . (Plural subject with plural verb)

(iii) Radhe likes to have a dessert after every meal . (Third person singular noun with singular subject)

Note : The subject can be a noun, a pronoun or even a noun phrase . If it is a pronoun , the subject-verb agreement is done with reference to the person of the pronoun .

 

2. (a) When everybody or everyone is used, the object must be singular, not plural .

Example : Everybody knows his or her name ( " Everybody knows their name "  is wrong )

(b) When prayer , suggestion ,  wish , demand , recommendation , or resolution is used in a sentence, the verb that follows must be plural , whether the subject is singular or plural .

Example :

(i) It has been suggested that he go ( not goes ) away .

(ii) The board has recommend that the manager resign ( not resigns ) .

(iii) I pray that God help me on my upcoming examination, ( not God helps ) .

(c) When " many – a " is used , the verb and the noun that follows must be singular .

Example :

(i) Many a candidate (not candidates) speaks ( not speak) bad English expressions .

(ii) Many a girl (not girls) is (not are) here .

The actual meaning of statements (i) and (ii) are many candidates and many girls .

3. Collective nouns :

(a) Collective nouns refer to groups of people , animals , or things as a single entity .

e.g. (i) An audience which means people who watch programs .

(ii) The congregation, which means worshipers .

(iii) Clergy which means religion officers .

(iv) A club, which means the association of members .

When a collective noun is used as the subject of a sentence , the verb can be singular or plural , depending on the context .

Example : The team is playing well . (singular verb)

In this sentence , "team" is a collective noun that refers to a group of individuals as a single entity . The singular verb "is" agrees with the singular noun "team" .

Example : The team are arguing among themselves . (plural verb)

In this sentence , "team" is still a collective noun, but the verb "are" is used because the individuals within the team are acting separately .

(b) When a collective name , denoting category (not a collective noun) is used , the verb to be used must be plural .

Categories like : the poor , the rich , the wealthy , the successful , the gifted , the weak , the young in spirit , the handicapped , the helpless , etc. The verb to be used should be plural .

Example :

(i) The poor need help ( not helps or needs ) from the government .

(ii) The young are ( not is ) disobedient .

(iii) The weak are ( not is ) left to their fates .

4. Parenthesis : The parenthesis statement is an additional statement to what has already been said before .

Note : A parenthetical statement should not be considered in choosing the verb that will follow .

Example :

(i) The teacher , not his students is in the class .

The correct answer is, ‘ is ’  because  ‘ not his students ’ is just parenthesis , and parenthesis has nothing to do with choosing the verb .

(ii) The manager, not many of his workers , is ( not are ) here now . ‘ not many of his workers ’ is just a parenthesis , therefore, the parenthesis should be ignored .

The manager is a singular noun , hence a singular verb .

5. When ‘ more than ’ is used , the word or number that comes after more than will determine the next verb .

Example :

(i) More than two apples are ( not is) here .

(ii) More than one mangoes is (not are) here .

In the first statement , the answer is “ are ” not is because two attracts are but in the second statement , the correct option is , “ is ” not are because one attracts is .

6. Indefinite pronouns :

When any of the following words are used, you should use a Singular verb –

“ Everybody , everything , everyone , everywhere , no one , nothing , nobody , nowhere , something , someone , somebody , anyone , anything , anybody, anywhere and each ” the next verb must be singular .

Example :

(i) Nothing goes ( not go) .

(ii) Everybody likes (not like) him .

(iii) Everybody thinks (not think) she stole the money .

(iv) Each of the students has ( not have ) a different opinion .

7. Relative nouns :

When who, whose, which and that refers to a previously mentioned noun or pronoun, such noun is a Relative noun .

Example :

One of the farmers who plant (not plants) on the farm has (not have) been asked to withdraw .

8. Uncountable nouns :

(A) Countable nouns are nouns that can be quantified in units and numbers , that is , are nouns that can be counted .

e.g. chairs , tables , phones , stars , etc.

(B) Uncountable nouns are nouns that cannot be quantified in units and numbers.

e.g. water, information, equipment , etc.

Note : all uncountable nouns will avoid “s” at the back .

It is wrong to use any of these words given below –

Informations , clothes , equipments , furnitures , machineries , datas , advices , evidences , wealths , etc.

Instead, you say a piece of , information , evidence , data , cloth , equipment , advice , etc

It is wrong to say machineries instead , you say a machine or two machines .

# # Other examples of nouns that attract plural verbs are –

(i) The police work hard (not works) , but , that policeman (not policemen) works (not work) hard .

Police and policemen are collective nouns that is why they attract a plural verb .

But policeman is not collective noun but a singular noun , hence a singular verb

(ii) The headquarters look (not looks) palatial .

(iii) Cattle give (not gives) bad odo , and a cow gives bad odor.

(iv) Aircraft make (not makes) traveling easier but , that chopper , airbus , or airplane makes traveling easier .

Tenses in English Grammar | Definitions and examples | Easy English Grammar

What is Tense and Why we read tenses –

What is Tense  ?

Tense is used to describe the time of an action , event , or state . There are three primary tenses in English grammar – (i) Past , (ii) Present and (iii) Future .

Each primary tense has four aspects -  (i) Simple , (ii) Continuous , (iii) Perfect  and (iv) Perfect continuous .

(i) The simple aspect is used to describe a single action or event .

(ii) The continuous aspect is used to describe an ongoing action or event .

(iii) The perfect aspect is used to describe an action that has been completed before another time .

(iv) The perfect continuous aspect is used to describe an ongoing action that has been completed up to a certain point .

 

Why we read tenses ?

(i) It's important to use the correct tense in order to convey the intended meaning of a sentence .

(ii) Tense consistency is important within a sentence or paragraph to avoid confusion .

(iii) The use of specific time markers or adverbs can help clarify the intended tense of a sentence .

 

Different Types of Tenses with Examples :

1. Present Tenses :

It expresses an action that is currently going on or habitually performed , or a state that currently or generally exists .

(i) Present Simple Tense : Used to describe habits, routines, and general truths .

 Example : "I eat breakfast every morning ."

Formation :

 

Subject + V1

 

(i) The first person (I) takes the first form of verb , e.g. I go and I work there etc.

(ii) The second person (You) takes the first form of verb , e.g. You come and You run etc,

(iii) (a) In the third person singular number , the verb always ends with ‘ s ’ , e.g. He goes , She gives, She thinks , She runs etc. In case the verb is ending with ‘ y ’ , it changes to ‘ ies ’ , e.g.  She flies and He cries etc.

(b) In the third person plural number, the first form of verb is used , e.g. They come and They go etc.

 

(ii) Present Continuous Tense : Used to describe actions happening now or around now .

Example : "I am studying for my exams ."

Formation :

(i) Subject + Am / Is / Are + V1 – ing + object

(ii) Present continuous tense is also used to express something not happening or will not happen in the near future , i.e. in negetative sentences .

Subject + Am / Is / Are + Not + V1 – ing + object

                                                                   

(iii) Present Perfect Tense : Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue up to now, or actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past .

Example : "I have lived in this city for five years ."

Formation :

(i) Subject + Has / Have + V3 + Object

(ii) Subject + Has / Have + Not + V3 + Object

(iii) Has / Have + Subject + V3 + Object ; Has / Have + Subject + Not + V3 + Object

 

(iv) Present Perfect Continuous Tense : Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue up to now, with an emphasis on the duration of the action .

Example : "I have been working on this project for two months ."

Formation :

(i) Subject + Has / Have + Been + V1 - ing + Object + Since / For (+ Time being)

(ii) Subject + Has / Have + Not + Been + V1 - ing + Object + Since / For (+ Time being) [ in Negative sentences ]

(iii) Has / Have + Subject + Been + V1-ing + Since / For (+ Time being)  ; Has / Have + Subject + Not + Been + V1-ing + Since / For (+ Time being) [ in Interrogative sentences ]

 More Examples :

(i) I get up every day at four o'clock in the morning .

(ii) Prakash works eight hours every day .

(iii) The president of the USA lives in the White House .

(iv) Rai brushes her teeth twice a day .

(v) She is not sitting over there .

(vi) Are you not coming ?

(vii) She has finish her meal just now .

(viii) My mom has been watching the movie for two hours .

 

Important points :

(i) When Do / Does acts as helping verb with the main verb then we use 1^st form of main verb .

For example , She does (does is helping verb here) not complete (we use 1^st form of main verb here) the work properly .

(ii) When past point time given then we use simple past , not present perfect .

For example , “ I have done the work a second ago ”  is wonrg .

The correct is – “ I did the work a second ago ” .

 

2. Past Tenses :

It expresses an action or event that has happened or a state that previously existed .

(i) Past Simple Tense : Used to describe actions that happened at a specific time in the past .

Example : "I went to the beach last weekend ."

Formation :

 

(i) Subject + V2 + Object

(ii) Subject +  Did + Not + V1 + Object

(iii) Did + Subject + V1 + Object ; Did + Subject + Not + V1 + Object

 

(ii) Past Continuous Tense : Used to describe actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past .

Example : "I was watching TV when the phone rang ."

Formation :

 

(i) Subject + Was / Were + V1 – ing + Object

(ii) Subject + Was / Were + Not + V1 – ing + Object

(iii) Was / Were + Subject + V1– ing + Object ; Was / Were + Subject + Not + V1– ing + Object

 

(iii) Past Perfect Tense : Used to describe actions that were completed before a specific time in the past .

Example : "I had finished my homework before I went to bed ."

Formation :

 

(i) Subject + Had + V3 + Object

(ii) Subject + Had + Not + V3 + Object

(iii) Had + Subject + V3 ; Had + Subject + Not + V3

 

(iv) Past Perfect Continuous Tense : Used to describe actions that were in progress before a specific time in the past, with an emphasis on the duration of the action .

Example : "I had been jogging for an hour when it started raining ."

Formation :

(i) Subject + Had + Been + V1 – ing  + Object + Since / For

(ii) Subject + Had + Not + Been + V1 – ing  + Object + Since / For

(iii) Had + Subject + Been + V1 – ing ; Had + Subject + Not + Been + V1 – ing

 More Examples :

(i) He went home few minutes ago .

(ii) She used to carry a red umbrella .

(iii) She was waiting for his brother .

(iv) He was riding a bike .

(v) Had she not got it ?

(vi) I had done my homework when Hari came to see me .

(vii) Oindrila had been applying for jobs since May 2020 .

(viii) Rai had been teaching since December , 2022 .

 

3. Future Tenses :

It expresses an action / event that has not yet happened or a state that does not yet exist but it is expected to take place after some time from now .

(i) Future Simple Tense : Used to describe actions that will happen in the future .

Example : "I will meet you at the airport tomorrow ."

Formation :

(i) Subject + Will / Shall + V1 + Object

(ii) Subject + Will / Shall + Not + V1 + Object

(iii) Will / Shall +  Subject + V1 + Object ; Will / Shall +  Subject + Not + V1 + Object

 

(ii) Future Continuous Tense : Used to describe actions that will be in progress at a specific time in the future .

Example: "I will be studying at the library tomorrow afternoon ."

Formation :

(i) Subject + will be + V1 – ing + Object

(ii) Subject + will not be + V1 – ing + Object

(iii) Will + Subject + be + V1 – ing + Object ; Will + Subject + Not + be + V1 – ing + Object

 

(iii) Future Perfect Tense : Used to describe actions that will be completed before a specific time in the future .

Example : "I will have finished my essay by Friday ."

Formation :

(i) Subject + will have + V3 + Object

(ii) Subject + will not have + V3 + Object

(iii) Will + Subject + Have + V3 + Object ; Will + Subject + Not + Have + V3 + Object

 

(iv) Future Perfect Continuous Tense : Used to describe actions that will have been in progress up to a specific time in the future, with an emphasis on the duration of the action .

Example : "By the time you arrive, I will have been waiting for two hours ."

 

Formation :

(i) Subject + will have been + V1 – ing  + Object + Since / For + Time reference

(ii) Subject + will not have been + V1 – ing  + Object + Since / For + Time reference

(iii) Will + Subject + Have been + V1 – ing  + Object + Since / For + Time reference ; Will + Subject + Not + Have been + V1 – ing  + Object + Since / For + Time reference

More Examples :

(i) I will buy a HP laptop at the end of this month .

(ii) We will shift to a new house the next week .

(iii) She will be singing a song for the audience .

(iv) I shall be watching “ The Hindu Editorial by Nimisha Banshal ” then .

(v) She will have completed her project by Sunday .

(vi) I will have taken my lunch .

(vii) The company will not have been advertising posts for two years .

(viii)  Will Rai have been cooking for 3 hours ?

Practice Questions :

Choose the correct verb form in the following sentence :

1. She (study/studies) every day .

2. They (were/was) playing tennis yesterday .

3. I (am going/went) to the movies tonight .

4. He (works/worked) in that company five years ago .

5. By the time she gets here , we (will finish/will have finished) our dinner .

6. I (am reading/was reading) a book when the phone rang .

7. He (has been/was) waiting for two hours .

8. I (will be/will have been) studying for three hours by the time you get here .

9. They (are/were) planning to visit Delhi next summer .

10. Piya (had been cooking/was cooking) dinner for an hour when the guests arrived .

11. I (have been/had been) studying for four hours straight .

12. They (will be/will have been) married for ten years next month .

13. I (am/am going to be) late for the meeting if I don't leave now .

14. Parth (has been/was) a teacher for 15 years .

15. He (had been/was) studying for two hours when he suddenly fell asleep .

16. I (will/will have) finished the project by the end of the week .

17. They (are/were) planning to move to a new city next year .

18. I (am/will be) working from home tomorrow .

19. She (has been/was) waiting for the bus for over an hour .

20. They (had been/were) walking for hours when they finally reached the summit .

 

Answers :

1. Studies ,

2. were ,

3. am going ,

4. worked ,

5. will have finished ,

6. was reading ,

7. has been ,

8. will have been ,

9. are ,

10. had been cooking ,

11. have been ,

12. will have been ,

13. am going to be ,

14. has been ,

15. had been ,

16. will have ,

17. are ,

18. will be ,

19. has been ,

20. had been .