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Which sentence should I use when I pass the exam? I mean at the time of announcing the result.

a) I cleared the Exam. (Past Tense)

It refers to the past event of passing the exam. I mean results were declared first and then I am announcing to my family.

b) I clear the Exam (Present Tense)

It refers to the current status of passing the exam.

c ) I have cleared the Exam (Present Perfect Tense)

I think this is the correct sentence to be used because it is referring to a past event having an impact on the present.

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    "clear the exam" is not used here in the UK. Here we say "pass the exam". From what I can tell, the verb clear is only used in this sense in Indian English, and nowhere else. So, if your audience is international, don't use that verb!
    – Billy Kerr
    Commented Jul 16, 2023 at 13:09
  • @BillyKerr It ain't used in AmE either. pass/fail just like the uk.
    – Lambie
    Commented Mar 12 at 17:06
  • @Lambie - yeah it's used in Indian English.
    – Billy Kerr
    Commented Mar 12 at 17:16
  • This is just how to use simple present versus simple past and present perfect. Vote to close
    – Lambie
    Commented Nov 7 at 19:49
  • This question is similar to: Simple present, present perfect or simple past?. If you believe it’s different, please edit the question, make it clear how it’s different and/or how the answers on that question are not helpful for your problem.
    – Lambie
    Commented Nov 7 at 19:49

2 Answers 2

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You could use simple past or past perfect, either works. There's no particular reason to prefer one over the other. This is often the case in English.

However, the verb "clear" wouldn't be usual here, at least in British English.

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    What is the present tense in this case ?
    – user4084
    Commented Mar 17, 2019 at 9:35
  • Um, it's labelled in your question.
    – SamBC
    Commented Mar 17, 2019 at 9:45
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    It's used exclusively in Indian English. Had to look it up on google ngram to find out where it came from. It's never used in the UK, or at least would be considered highly unusual.
    – Billy Kerr
    Commented Jul 16, 2023 at 13:11
  • @user4084 You'd really never use the present tense in talking about the results of an exam. It's only ever something that will happen in the future or something that already happened in the past.
    – Darth Pseudonym
    Commented Jul 10 at 18:12
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If passing the exam has just happened and you are really excited about it, use the present perfect, because it has an effect in the present.

As soon as you mention when you passed, for example: yesterday, last week, this morning, use the past simple.

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    What is the present tense in this case ?
    – user4084
    Commented Mar 17, 2019 at 9:34

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