Present Indefinite Tense or Present Simple Tense - Past Indefinite Tense or Past Simple Tense and USED TO DO - Daily English Grammar and Vocabulary Lessons - Practice Conversation in English

Important Note: Most Definitions and Examples on this page have been translated into Urdu Language. People who don't speak Urdu should not pay attention to these translations. Urdu Translations have been highlighted in yellow colour.

(1) Present Indefinite Tense for Beginner Level Students

What is Present Indefinite Tense?

In Present Indefinite Tense, we mainly talk about personal daily schedules, habits of people or likes and dislikes of people or animals. (Urdu Meaning: Jo Kaam Hum Rozana Ya Mustakil Karte Hen)

Part (a)
Basic Rules

We use first form of verb like walk, sleep, drive etc

We use auxiliary verbs “DO or DOES” which agree with the following subjects in a sentence:

Remember that we add ‘s’ at the end of a verb if a sentence is affirmative and the subjects are HE/SHE/IT/THIRD PERSON/ALL SINGULAR NOUNS. See Examples below:

Part (b)
Examples:

• I play football. (Urdu Meaning: Mai Football Khelta/Khelti Hon)
• She sings so well. (note ‘s’ at the end of the verb) (Urdu Meaning: Woh Bohat Acha Gaati Hai)
• He cooks meal by himself. (note ‘s’ at the end of the verb) (Urdu Meaning: Woh Khud Se Khana Pakata Hai)
• We read different novels. (Urdu Meaning: Hum Different Novels Parhte Hen)
• They hunt deer. (Urdu Meaning: Woh Loog Hiran Ka Shikar Karte Hen)
• Sandy drives many cars. (note ‘s’ at the end of the verb) (Urdu Meaning: Sandy Bohat Sari Gariyan Chalata Hai)

Part (c)
More Examples with sentence types:

Affirmative Sentences	Negative Sentences	Interrogative Sentences
I meet my friends. (Urdu Meaning: Mai Apne Doston Se Mulaqat Karta/Karti Hon)	I do not meet my friends. (Urdu Meaning: Mai Apne Doston Se Mulaqat Nahi Karta/Karti Hon)	Do I meet my friends? (Urdu Meaning: Kiya Mai Apne Doston Se Mulaqat Karta/Karti Hon?)
Kyle works as a lawyer. (Urdu Meaning: Kyle Ek Wakeel K Tor Pe Kaam Karta Hai)	Kyle does not work as a lawyer. (Urdu Meaning: Kyle Ek Wakeel K Tor Pe Kaam Nahi Karta Hai)	Does Kyle work as a lawyer? (Urdu Meaning: Kiya Kyle Ek Wakeel K Tor Pe Kaam Karta Hai?)
You pay my tuition fee. (Urdu Meaning: Ap Meri Tuition ki Fees Ada Karte Ho)	You do not pay my tuition fee. (Urdu Meaning: Ap Meri Tuition ki Fees Ada Nahi Karte Ho)	Do you pay my tuition fee? (Urdu Meaning: Kiya Ap Meri Tuition ki Fees Ada Karte Ho?)

Homework: Change the sentences in part (b) examples into negative and interrogative sentences.





(2) Present Indefinite Tense for Intermediate Level Students

Part (a)
Commonly used time expressions or phrases and adverbs with Present Indefinite Tense

There are so many time expressions or phrases and adverbs used with Present Indefinite Tense. Here is the list of most commonly used ones:

Part (b)
1^st Use of Present Indefinite Tense

A Present Indefinite Tense defines those actions or events which happen repeatedly, regularly or all the time. It includes personal habits, schedules or behavior of other living things as well. (Urdu Meaning: Jo Kaam Hum Rozana Ya Mustakil Karte Hon. Isme Insaan Or Dosri cheezon Ki Adaten Bhi Shamil Hen)

For example:

• I always go for jogging on Sundays. (Urdu Meaning: Mai Hamesha Sunday Ko Jogging K Liye Jata/Jati Hon)
• We do not usually watch movies. (Urdu Meaning: Hum Amoman Movies Nahi Dekhte)
• They sometimes ride bicycles in the evening. (Urdu Meaning: Woh Loog Kabhi Kabar Sham Ko Cycle Chalate Hen)
• Sarah usually likes to drink tea. (Urdu Meaning: Sarah Amoman Chaye Peena Pasand Karti Hai)
• My mother often cooks Italian food. (Urdu Meaning: Meri Ammi Aksar Italian Khane Pakati Hen)
• He does not often sleep too much. (Urdu Meaning: Woh Aksar Zyadah Nahi Soota)
• Do you always swim at midnight? (Urdu Meaning: Kiya Ap Hamesha Der Raat Ko Swimming Karte Ho?)
• Does Jerry mostly wear a black hat? (Urdu Meaning: Kiya Jerry Zyadah Tar Kaali Topi Pehenta Hai?)
• It seldom rains in our city. (Urdu Meaning: Hamare Shehar Mai Bohat Hi Kam Barish Hoti Hai)
• I never go to the health club on weekdays. (Urdu Meaning: Mai Weekdays Per Kabhi Bhi Health Club Nahi Jata/Jati)
• These students rarely try to learn about history. (Urdu Meaning: Bohat Hi Kam Woh Students History K Bare Mai Seekhne Ki Koshish Karte Hen)
• She hardly/scarcely (ever) helps me. (Urdu Meaning: Bohat Hi Kam Aesa Hota Hai K Woh Meri Madad Karti Hai)
• We eat fish occasionally. (Urdu Meaning: Hum Kabhi Kabar Machli Kha Lete Hen)
• I clean my house regularly. (Urdu Meaning: Mai Baqaidgi Se Apna Ghar Saaf Karta/Karti Hon)
• They read those books frequently. (Urdu Meaning: Woh Bar Bar Un Kitabon Ko Parhte Hen)
• Does it normally snow here in November? (Urdu Meaning: Kiya Aam Tor Per November Mai Yahan Baraf-Baari Hoti Hai?)
• The bus leaves for Paris every hour. (Urdu Meaning: Bus Har Ghante Paris K Liye Rawana Hoti Hai)
• We clean the garage weekly. (Urdu Meaning: Hum Har Hafte Garage Ki Safaye Karte Hen)
• They buy vegetable twice a week. (Urdu Meaning: Woh Loog Hafte Mai 2 Dafa Subziyan Kharedte Hen)
• We visit Dubai many times a year. (Urdu Meaning: Hum Ek Saal Mai Kayi Bar Dubai Ghomte Hen)
• Do your parrots talk every morning? (Urdu Meaning: Kiya Apke Tootey Roz Subah Baten Karte Hen?)

Part (c)
2^nd Use of Present Indefinite Tense

We use Present Indefinite Tense to talk about the truth, facts or things that always happen. (Urdu Meaning: Hum Sachaye or Haqeeqat Ki Baat Karte Hen Jis Ko Hum Jhutla Nahi Sakte)

For Example:

• Earth moves around the sun. (Urdu Meaning: Dunya Sooraj K Gird Ghomti Hai)
• Children go to school. (Urdu Meaning: Bache School Jate Hen)
• Army protects the border. (Urdu Meaning: Fouj Sarhadon Ki Hifazat Karti Hai)
• Lions do not eat grass. (Urdu Meaning: Sher Ghans Nahi Khaya Karte)

We can also use sentences without verbs:

Sun is very hot. (Urdu Meaning: Sooraj Bht Garam Hota Hai)

China is the biggest country in the world. (Urdu Meaning: China Dunya Ka Sab Se Bara Mulk Hai)

Tokyo is not in the United States. (Urdu Meaning: Tokyo America Mai Mojood Nahi Hai)

All these sentences talk about facts or truth which we cannot deny.

Part (d)
3^rd Use of Present Indefinite Tense

We use Present Indefinite Tense for future scheduled events, timetables etc. (Urdu Meaning: Jab Hum Future K Fixed Schedule Ya Timetable Ki Baat Karten Hen To Hum Present Indefinite Tense Use Karte Hen)

For Example:

The train for London leaves tonight at 8:00 pm. (NOT the train will leave because timetable of the train is officially fixed and cannot be changed without any reason) (Urdu Meaning: London Jane Wali Train Aj Raat 8 Bje Rawana Hogi)

More examples:

• Flight-123 arrives at 05:30 am in the morning. (Urdu Meaning: Flight-123 Subah 05:30 Bje Pohonche Gi)
• The cricket match begins tomorrow evening at 7:15 pm. (Urdu Meaning: Cricket Match Kal Sham 7:15 Bje Shuru Hoga)
• Matthew joins his first job on Tuesday. (Urdu Meaning: Matthew Apni Pehli Noukri Tuesday Ko Join Karega)
• The discount offer finishes on 25^th August. (Urdu Meaning: Discount Offer 25th August ko Khatam Ho Jaye Gi)
• Does this music show end at 1:00 am? (Urdu Meaning: Kiya Music Show 1:00 Bje Khatam Ho Jaye Ga)
• The president takes office on 3^rd September. (Urdu Meaning: Sadar 3rd Sep Ko Apne Office Ki Sargarmiyan Shuru Karenge)

Remember that you must use time expressions like “AT 10 o’clock, TOMORROW, NEXT WEEK, IN APRIL” etc in such cases to show that you are talking about future.

Part (e)
Present Indefinite Tense used in a story/conversation

My Daily life routine

Hello my name is Alan. I am a doctor. I wake up at 7 o’clock every day. After that, I take shower and change clothes to go to work. Then I have a wonderful breakfast while reading newspapers. I spend some time working out in the gymnasium located just half a kilometer from my home. I usually do not watch TV in the morning. I leave for the hospital at 8:15 to be there on time. My duty starts at 8:45. I work there for 8 hours and leave work at 5 pm. After I arrive home, I enjoy some good time with my family and watch TV too. I take dinner at 8 pm and go to bed at 10.

Urdu Meaning of My Daily Life Routine
Hello! Mera Naam Alan Hai. Mai Ek Doctor Hon. Mai Roz 7 Bje Uthta Hon. Iske Baad Mai Gusal Karta Hon and Kaam Pe Jaane K Liye Kapre Badalta Hon. Phir Mai Akhbar Parhte Hoye Khob Acha Nashta Karta Hon. Mai apna Kuch Waqt Gymnasium Mai Exercise Kar K Guzarta Hon Jo K Mere Ghar Se Sirf Aadhe Kilometer Per Hai. Mai Amoman Subah TV Nahi Dekhta. Mai 8:15 Bje Hospital K Liye Nikalta Hon Taake Wahan Waqt Per Pohonchun. Meri Duty 8:45 Bje Shuru Hoti Hai. Mai Wahan 8 Ghante Kaam Karta Hon and 5 Bje Kaam Khatam Karrta Hon. Ghaar Ane K Baad Mai Apni Family K Sath Enjoy Karta Hon Orr TV Bhi Dekhta Hon. Mai Raat 8 Bje Khana Khata Hon Orr 10 Bje Soone Chale Jaata Hon.

(3) Past Indefinite Tense for all Level of Students

What is Past Indefinite Tense?

We use Past Indefinite Tense for actions which started and finished sometime in the past. It is no longer connected to the present situations. (Urdu Meaning: Woh Kaam Jo Maazi Mai Shuru Hokar Maazi Mai Hi Khatam Hojaye. Maujoda Waqiyat Se Iss Kaam Ka Taluq Nahi Hota)

Part (a)
Basic Rules

We use second form of verb like walked, slept, drove etc

We use auxiliary verbs “DID” which agree with all subjects in a sentence:

Remember that we must use first form of verb when we use ‘DID’ in negative and interrogative sentences.

Part (b)
Examples:

• I met my relatives. (Urdu Meaning: Mene Apne Rishtedaron Se Mulaqat Ki Thi)
• We washed our car. (Urdu Meaning: Hum Ne Apni Gari Dhoye Thi)
• They missed the bus. (Urdu Meaning: Unhon Ne Apni Bus Chorh Di Thi)
• It rained heavily. (Urdu Meaning: Bht Barish Hoye Thi)
• She wasted her time. (Urdu Meaning: Usne Apna Waqt Zaya Kya Tha)

Part (c)
More Examples with sentence types:

Affirmative Sentences	Negative Sentences	Interrogative Sentences
You saw my pictures. (Urdu Meaning: Ap Ne Meri Pictures Dekhi Thin)	You did not see my pictures. (Urdu Meaning: Ap Ne Meri Pictures Nahi Dekhi Thin)	Did you see my pictures? (Urdu Meaning: Kiya Apne Meri Pictures Dekhi Thin?)
He sat near the river. (Urdu Meaning: Woh Darya K Pas Betha Tha)	He did not sit near the river. (Urdu Meaning: Woh Darya K Pas Nahi Betha Tha)	Did he sit near the river? (Urdu Meaning: Kiya Woh Darya K Pas Betha Tha?)

Homework: Change the sentences in part (b) examples into negative and interrogative sentences.

Part (d)
Time expressions used with Past Indefinite Tense

It is very important to use time expressions with Past Simple Tense to show that the action happened at a particular time in the past. Below is the list of commonly used time expressions:

Minutes = a minute ago, a few minutes ago, ten minutes ago, twenty minutes ago, a short time ago, a while ago etc

Hours = an hour ago, two hours ago, three hours ago, at 1 pm, at 2 pm, at 3 pm, before 10 pm etc

Days = yesterday, last night, day before yesterday, three days ago, four days ago etc

Weekdays/Weekends = last weekend, last Sunday, last Monday etc

Weeks = a week ago, last week, two weeks ago, three weeks ago etc

Months = a month ago, last month, two months ago, six months ago etc

Years/Occasions = last year, two years ago, three years ago, in 1990, in 2000, in 2005, last summer, last Christmas etc

Infinity = last time, before

Specific time = on Monday, 20^th July, 1994 (altogether)

Some more examples with time expressions:

• I met my relatives yesterday. (Urdu Meaning: Mene Kal Apne Rishtedaron Se Mulaqat Ki Thi)
• We washed our car two weeks ago. (Urdu Meaning: Hum Ne 2 Hafte Pehle Apni Gari Dhoye Thi)
• The train crashed a short time ago. (Urdu Meaning: Thodi Der Pehle Train Takra K Tabah Hogaye Thi)
• I did not go there last night. (Urdu Meaning: Mai Kal Raat Wahan Nahi Gaya Tha)
• They missed the bus last time. (Urdu Meaning: Unhon Ne Pichli Dafa Apni Bus Chorh Di Thi)
• Did he use my computer twenty minutes ago? (Urdu Meaning: Kiya Usne 20 Minute Pehle Mera Computer Istemal Kiya Tha?)
• Did he sleep yesterday? (Urdu Meaning: Kiya Kal Woh Soya Tha?)

Part (e)
Past Indefinite Tense used in a story/conversation

Dialogue Practice with Past Indefinite Tense (telephone conversation)
Jimmy: Hello Martin! How are you? (Urdu Meaning: Hello Martin Ap Kese Ho?)
Martin: Hi Jimmy! I am fine. What about you? (Urdu Meaning: Hi Jimmy Mai Thek Hon. Orr Ap?)
Jimmy: I am fine too. What did you do last weekend? (Urdu Meaning: Mai Bhi Thek Hon. Ap Ne Pichle Weekend Mai Kya Kiya Tha?)
Martin: I went out to do some shopping with my family. (Urdu Meaning: Mai Apni Family K Sath Bahir Kuch Shopping Karne Gya Tha)
Jimmy: That's Great. What else did you do? (Urdu Meaning: Acha Zabardast Iske Ilawa Apne Orr Kiya Kiya Tha?)
Martin: After shopping, we went to the 'Games-Arena' where we played 3D games and snooker. Then we all had dinner at a restaurant nearby. (Urdu Meaning: Shopping K Baad Hum 'Games-Arena' Gaye The Jahan Hum Ne 3D Games Orr Snooker Khela Tha. Phir Hum Ne Ek Qareebi Restaurant Mai Raat Ka Khana Khaya Tha)
Jimmy: It sounds you had a good time out there. Is it a nice restaurant? What did you eat there? (Urdu Meaning: Lagta Hai Apne Bahir Kafi Acha Waqt Guzara. Kiya Woh Acha Restaurant Hai? Apne Wahan Kiya Khaya Tha?)
Martin: Yes it is a nice restaurant. We ate some Indian chili food for the first time. I liked every dish but my wife did not like them. (Urdu Meaning: Jee Woh Acha Restaurant Hai. Hum Ne Pehli Bar Indian Masale-Dar Khana Khaya Tha. Mujhe Har Dish Pasand Aye Thi Lekin Meri Biwi Ko Woh Dishes Pasand Nahi Aye Thi)
Jimmy: That's really nice! (Urdu Meaning: Chalen Achi Baat Hai)
Martin: What did you do last weekend? (Urdu Meaning: Ap Ne Pichle Weekend Mai Kya Kiya Tha?)
Jimmy: I stayed at home watching TV all day. My wife has gone on a business trip for 2 weeks. So I will be alone at home till then. (Urdu Meaning: Mai Pore Din Ghar Pe Ruka Tha TV Dekhta Raha. Meri Biwi 2 Hafte K Liye Business Trip Pe Gayen Hoyen Hen. To Mai Us Waqt Tak Ghar Pe Akela Honga)
Martin: Why don't you join us this weekend? We will have a great time together. (Urdu Meaning: Ap Iss Weekend Hume Join Kiyon Nahi Karte? Sath Hamara Acha Waqt Guzre Ga)
Jimmy: That's a really good idea. (Urdu Meaning: Ye Waqaye Acha Idea Hai)
Martin: So come to my home this Saturday evening at 5. (Urdu Meaning: To Phir Ap Iss Hafte Ki Sham 5 Bje Mere Ghar Ajao)
Jimmy: Sure I will. Bye (Urdu Meaning: Jee Zaroor Aonga. Khuda-Hafiz)
Martin: Bye. (Urdu Meaning: Allah-Hafiz)


Story Telling - Past Simple Tense

Once upon a time, there was a lion in the jungle. All animals were afraid of the lion. One day, the lion went near the river to drink water. While he was drinking, it fell into the river. The lion roared for help but nobody was there. Suddenly, a monkey came to help the lion. But the monkey was afraid of being killed by the lion. The lion told the monkey not to worry and said "I will not kill you". The monkey felt happy and agreed to help the lion. Then the monkey ran around the river to see if it could find something to help the lion. At last, the monkey found a big stick-branch of a tree lying on the ground. The monkey threw it to the lion and the lion grabbed it with its mouth. Then the monkey slowly pulled the other end of sticky-branch and the lion was able to come out of water. After that, the lion thanked the monkey and made him his best friend.


Urdu Meaning of Story Telling - Past Simple Tense
Ek Dafa Ka Zikar Hai K Jungle Mai Ek Sher Tha. Sare Janwar Sher se Darte The. Ek Din Sher Darya K Pas Pani Pene Gya. Jab Woh Pani Pee Raha Tha To Woh Darya Mai Gir Gya. Sher Maded K Liye Chilaya Lekin Wahan Koi Nahi Tha. Achanak Ek Bandar Sher ki Maded Karne Aya. Lekin Bandar Sher K Hathon Marne Se Daraha Tha. Sher Ne Bandar Ko Kaha K Fikar Mat Karo Mai Tumko Nahi Maronga. Bandar Ko Khushi Hoye Orr Woh Sher Ki Madad Karne K  Liye Razi Hogya. Phir Bandar Ne Darya K AS-Pas Chakar Lagaya Ye Dekhne K Liye K Woh Sher Ki Madad Karne K Liye Koi Cheez Dhond Sake. Akhir-Kar Bandar Ne Ek Lakri Ki Bari Shakh Dhond Li Jo K Zameen Pe Pari Hoye Thi. Bandar Ne Woh Shakh Sher Ki Taraf Phenki Orr Sher Ne Uss Shakh Ko Apni Munn Se Pakarh Liya. Phir Bandar Ne Shakh Ke Dosre Koone Ko Khincha Orr Sher Pani Se Bahir Ane Mai Kamiyab Hogya. Uske Baad Sher Ne Bandar Ko Shuriya Kaha Orr Usse Apna Behtareen Dost Bana Liya.

(4) The use of “USED TO DO”

(a) Introduction

As we have studied that we use Present Indefinite Tense for personal habits, behavior, likes, dislikes etc of people or other living beings. In order to describe these habits, behavior, likes, dislikes etc in the past, we use “USED TO DO SOMETHING”. (Urdu Meaning: Woh Kaam Jo Hum Pehle Karte The Lekin Ab Nahi Karte Hen)

In other words, we talk about regular actions which we have quit or have ended.

(b) Lets take some examples from Present Indefinite Tense Section-2 part (b) to convert them in to past habits:

Present Indefinite Tense	USED TO DO
I always go for jogging on Sundays.	I always used to go for jogging on Sundays. (Urdu Meaning: Mai Hamesha Sunday Ko Jogging K Liye Jata Tha/Jati Thi)
They sometimes ride bicycles in the evening.	They sometimes used to ride bicycles in the evening. (Urdu Meaning: Woh Loog Kabhi-Kabar Sham Ko Cycle Chalate The)
My mother often cooks Italian food.	My mother often used to cook Italian food. (Urdu Meaning: Meri Ammi Aksar Italian Khane Pakati Thin)
We eat fish occasionally.	We used to eat fish occasionally. (Urdu Meaning: Hum Kabhi-Kabar Machli Kha Lete The)
I clean my house regularly.	I used to clean my house regularly. (Urdu Meaning: Mai Baqaidgi Se Apna Ghar Saaf Karta Tha/Karti Thi)
The bus leaves for London every hour.	That bus used to leave for London every hour. (Urdu Meaning: Woh Bus Har Ghante London K Liye Rawana Hoti Thi)
We visit Dubai many times a year.	We used to visit Dubai many times a year. (Urdu Meaning: Hum Saal Mai Kafi Dafa Dubai Ki Ser Karte The)

(c) More Examples with sentence types:

Affirmative Sentences	Negative Sentences	Interrogative Sentences
We used to work together. (Urdu Meaning: Hum Sath Kaam Karte The)	We did not use to work together. (Urdu Meaning: Hum Sath Kaam Nahi Karte The)	Did we use to work together? (Urdu Meaning: Kiya Hum Sath Kaam Karte The?)
My dog used to eat cookies. (Urdu Meaning: Mera Kutta Cookies Khata Tha)	My dog did not use to eat cookies. (Urdu Meaning: Mera Kutta Cookies Nahi Khata Tha)	Did my dog use to eat cookies? (Urdu Meaning: Kiya Mera Kutta Cookies Khata Tha?)

These notes have been conceived and prepared  by Sir Shahzad Ahmed.
Contact me: acquiescent.writer@gmail.com