Tenses and tense consistency
Candidates shift between past and present in one paragraph and overuse the continuous tense. Both make arguments hard to follow.
Rules with examples
Keep one tense frame per paragraph. Argument is usually in the present; history in the past.
'Since' or 'for' + a period up to now takes the present perfect.
Use the simple present for facts and general truths, not the continuous.
Past events with a stated time take the simple past, not the present perfect.
Reported speech after a past reporting verb usually moves back a tense.
Tenses and tense consistency: exercises with answers
- is
- was
- has been
- is being
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has been — 'Since' + period to now → present perfect.
- I am knowing the answer.
- Most economists are believing reform is needed.
- Most economists believe reform is needed.
- Most economists have believing reform is needed.
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Most economists believe reform is needed. — 'Believe' is a state verb: simple present.
- has been signed
- was signed
- is signed
- has signed
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was signed — A finished past event with a date: simple past.
- The war ended in 1971. Bangladesh becomes independent and Pakistan lost half its population.
- The war ended in 1971. Bangladesh became independent, and Pakistan lost more than half its population.
- The war ends in 1971. Bangladesh became independent and Pakistan loses half its population.
- The war has ended in 1971. Bangladesh became independent.
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The war ended in 1971. Bangladesh became independent, and Pakistan lost more than half its population. — All past events in simple past.
- already deepens
- had already deepened
- has already deepened
- is already deepening
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had already deepened — An earlier past action before another past action: past perfect.
Correct these sentences
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✓ Since independence, Pakistan has faced many challenges.
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✓ The census was conducted in 2023 and showed that the population was growing rapidly.
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✓ Pakistan possesses huge reserves of coal.
Studied in Week 3 alongside Module 3: Grammar diagnostic.
Frequently asked questions
Is 'Pakistan is facing since 2008' correct?
No. Use the present perfect: 'Pakistan has faced (or has been facing) an energy crisis since 2008.'