Why Tenses Matter for ADRE
In the ADRE Grade III and IV exams, the General English section consistently tests tenses — typically 4 to 6 questions per paper.
Simple Past — The Most Common ADRE Question
Formula: Subject + V2 (second form of verb)
Key clue words: yesterday, ago, last year/month/week, in 2020, when I was young.
Example: She went to the market yesterday.
Present Perfect — The Tricky One
Formula: Subject + have/has + V3 (third form)
Key clue words: just, already, yet, ever, never, recently, so far.
The Since vs For Rule
- FOR = period/duration: for 2 hours, for three days
- SINCE = specific point: since 2019, since Monday, since morning
Present Continuous
Formula: Subject + is/am/are + V-ing. Clue words: now, at present, currently, look!, listen!
Quick Reference: All 12 Tenses
PAST: Simple (V2) | Continuous (was/were+Ving) | Perfect (had+V3) | Perfect Continuous (had been+Ving)
PRESENT: Simple (V/Vs) | Continuous (is/am/are+Ving) | Perfect (have/has+V3) | Perfect Continuous (have/has been+Ving)
FUTURE: Simple (will+V) | Continuous (will be+Ving) | Perfect (will have+V3) | Perfect Continuous (will have been+Ving)