(Complete Detailed Theory for SSC, Banking, PSC & UPSC Exams)
1. Introduction to Usage Rules of Tenses
Understanding tense forms (Present, Past, Future) is not enough for competitive exams. Most questions in SSC, Banking, PSC, and UPSC focus on the correct usage of tenses in context rather than simple structures.
In exams, candidates are tested on:
- Logical sequence of actions
- Time expressions
- Conditional sentences
- Reported speech
- Time clauses
- Habitual actions
- Universal truths
- Context-based tense shifts
This chapter explains the practical usage rules of tenses that are frequently tested.
PART 1: GENERAL RULES OF TENSE USAGE
Rule 1: Specific Past Time → Use Simple Past
If a sentence mentions a definite past time (yesterday, last year, ago, in 2010), use Simple Past, not Present Perfect.
❌ Incorrect:
She has completed the work yesterday.
✅ Correct:
She completed the work yesterday.
🔎 Exam Focus: Very common in SSC & Banking error detection.
Rule 2: Unfinished Time → Use Present Perfect
If the time period is not finished (today, this week, so far, till now), use Present Perfect.
Example:
She has completed two chapters today.
(Today is not over yet.)
Rule 3: Universal Truth → Use Simple Present
Use Simple Present for:
- Scientific facts
- General truths
- Proverbs
Example:
The sun rises in the east.
Even in reported speech, universal truths do not change tense.
Rule 4: Habitual Action → Use Simple Present
Use Simple Present with:
- Always
- Usually
- Often
- Every day
Example:
She goes to school every day.
Rule 5: Two Past Actions → Earlier Action in Past Perfect
When two actions occurred in the past, the earlier action takes Past Perfect, and the later action takes Simple Past.
Example:
The train had left before we reached the station.
🔎 Highly important for UPSC & SSC CGL.
PART 2: USAGE RULES IN TIME CLAUSES
(Time clauses are introduced by: when, before, after, until, as soon as, by the time.)
Rule 6: No Future Tense in Time Clause
Future meaning is expressed using Present Simple in time clauses.
❌ Incorrect:
I will call you when he will arrive.
✅ Correct:
I will call you when he arrives.
This is one of the most frequently asked rules in competitive exams.
Rule 7: “By the time” Rule
If one future action is completed before another, use Future Perfect.
Example:
By the time you arrive, I will have finished the work.
PART 3: CONDITIONAL SENTENCES USAGE
Rule 8: First Conditional (Real Possibility)
Structure:
If + Present Simple, will + V1
Example:
If she studies hard, she will pass.
❌ Incorrect: If she will study, she will pass.
Rule 9: Second Conditional (Unreal Present)
Structure:
If + V2, would + V1
Example:
If I were rich, I would travel abroad.
Note: “Were” is preferred for all subjects in formal English.
Rule 10: Third Conditional (Unreal Past)
Structure:
If + had + V3, would have + V3
Example:
If she had worked hard, she would have passed.
PART 4: TENSE USAGE IN REPORTED SPEECH
Rule 11: Backshift Rule
If the reporting verb is in past tense, the tense changes backward.
| Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
|---|---|
| Present → | Past |
| Past → | Past Perfect |
| Will → | Would |
Example:
She said, “I am tired.”
She said that she was tired.
Exception: No Change for Universal Truth
She said, “The earth revolves around the sun.”
She said that the earth revolves around the sun.
PART 5: SEQUENCE OF TENSES
Rule 12: Past Reporting Verb → Past Tense in Clause
If the main clause is in past tense, subordinate clause is generally in past tense.
Example:
He said that he was busy.
Rule 13: Present Reporting Verb → No Change
He says that he is busy.
PART 6: SPECIAL USAGE RULES
Rule 14: “Since” and “For”
Since → Starting point
For → Duration
Example:
She has lived here since 2015.
She has lived here for five years.
Rule 15: Stative Verbs Do Not Take Continuous Form
Verbs like:
- Know
- Believe
- Understand
- Love
- Like
❌ Incorrect: I am knowing the answer.
✅ Correct: I know the answer.
Rule 16: “Used To” for Past Habit
Example:
She used to play football.
Negative:
She did not use to play football.
Rule 17: Present Continuous for Near Future
Used for fixed arrangements.
Example:
She is meeting the manager tomorrow.
Rule 18: Simple Present for Scheduled Events
Example:
The train leaves at 6 AM tomorrow.
PART 7: ERROR DETECTION STRATEGY (Exam-Oriented)
When solving tense-based questions:
- Identify time expression first.
- Check sequence of actions.
- Look for conditional structure.
- Avoid future tense in time clauses.
- Check auxiliary verbs carefully.
- Identify stative verbs.
- Look for reported speech tense shift.
QUICK MASTER REVISION TABLE
| Situation | Correct Tense |
|---|---|
| Specific past time | Simple Past |
| Earlier of two past actions | Past Perfect |
| Universal truth | Simple Present |
| Real condition | Present + Will |
| Unreal present | V2 + Would |
| Unreal past | Had + V3 |
| Time clause future meaning | Present Simple |
| Duration till now | Present Perfect |
| Duration before past | Past Perfect Continuous |
MOST IMPORTANT RULES FOR SSC & BANKING
⭐ No “will” in time clause
⭐ Past Perfect for earlier action
⭐ Present Perfect not used with “yesterday”
⭐ Correct tense shift in reported speech
⭐ Correct conditional structure
⭐ Avoid continuous with stative verbs