The simple present is a verb tense with two main uses. We use the simple present tense when an action is happening right now, or when it happens regularly (or unceasingly, which is why it’s sometimes called present indefinite). Depending on the person, the simple present tense is formed by using the root form or by adding ‑s or ‑es to the end.
How do we make the Simple Present Tense?
subject + auxiliary verb + main verb
There are three important exceptions:
1. For positive sentences, we do not normally use the auxiliary.
2. For the 3rd person singular (he, she, it), we add s to the main verb or es to the auxiliary.
3. For the verb to be, we do not use an auxiliary, even for questions and negatives.
Look at these examples with the main verb like:
Present Continuous Tense
This tense is used to describe a continued or ongoing action at the present time. It expresses an action which is in progress at the time of speaking and has not yet been completed. The Present Continuous Tense is, therefore, used in the following conditions:
- As mentioned above, it is used for an action that is occurring at the time of speaking
- When an action in the future is mentioned without specifying when it will occur
- When we talk about a planned or arranged event or action that is set to take place at a specified time in the future.
- It is also used in conditions where the action or event is occurring but not necessarily while we speak
- It is used in a changing situation
- With adverbs such as ‘always’ which describe an action that happens frequently.
It is formed from the present tense of the auxiliary verb ‘to be’ and the present participle of the verb ‘-ing’.
Examples are,
- The noise is beginning to give me a headache.
- I am complaining to his mother about him.
- Why aren’t you doing your homework, Ravi?
Present Perfect Tense
The Present Perfect Tense is used in case of repeated actions, in those actions where the time is not important, and actions that began in the past but are not finished yet and will probably finish in the present as we speak. The Present Perfect Tense can be used in the following scenarios:
- It is commonly used in actions or events that began in the past and have continued into the present
- They are used to show an action that has been completed
- To indicate a time period that has not yet finished
- This tense is often used with phrases that begin with “This is the first” or “second time” and so on.
- Is used to describe or express an action that is repeated in the past
- Used to indicate or describe actions that have been completed in the recent past
To form the present perfect tense, we need to use the simple present tense of the auxiliary verb ‘have’ or ‘has’ based on whether the noun being referred to is plural or singular. The auxiliary verb is then followed by the past participle of the verb. It can also be written as: have/has + past participle.
Let us see some examples,
- We have known each other for a very long time.
- There have been many contenders for this role.
- Has there ever been a war during your lifetime?
- I have just eaten.
- We have had the same car for 8 years.
Present Perfect Continuous Tense
This tense is generally used to describe or indicate an event that is going on at this moment.
The Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used in the following conditions:
- It is used to describe an event that began in the past and is continuing into the future
- An activity or event that began in the past and is now over(just recently completed or over)
- It is also used when there is no mention of time.
Formulating the Present Perfect Continuous Tense
The present perfect continuous tense is made up of two parts:
The present perfect tense of the verb ‘to be’: ‘have been’ or ‘has been’ and
The present participle of the main verb ‘-ing.
Some examples of present perfect continuous tense are,
- My hands are very dirty as I have been painting the walls.
- They have been trying to contact her.
- I have been working for them for the last seven months.
- The party has been going on all night
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