What is Present Tense | Rules and Examples
Tense is the form of verbs which is specifically used for mentioning any definite time of an action. Simple present tense is used to talk about any actions that happens in the real time. Verb forms are used differently based on the persons of subjects in simple present tense. For third person singular number s/es is added to present forms of main verbs. Some expressions mentioning time like Tuesday, every day, twice a week, always, generally, usually etc. are placed after present tense to refer any action that happens periodically. With the simple present tense we can express actions easily in negative sentence and interrogative sentence forms. This article will describe every detail by explaining the rules of simple present tense.
The simple structure will be used: subject+ verb present form+ s/es+ other words.
i) Simple present tense is used to refer the present state of emotion, belief, feelings, and states of mind, desire etc.
Ex.
I am totally exhausted.
He is busy now.
ii) To express any present event through verbs.
Ex.
I am in headache.
See, how rain comes!
iii) To express a situation or action which does not change over time.
Ex.
He works in public sector office.
The clock shows correct time.
iv) To mention any habitual action and regular habits.
Ex.
He goes to temple on every Tuesday.
He always speaks the truth.
v) To say something about any universal truth or scientific truth which will remain same always.
Ex.
The sun sets in the west.
Water freezes at 0 degree centigrade.
vi) To refer any future action within a fixed arrangement.
Ex.
My elder brother returns next year from abroad.
The train arrives at 10 O’ clock in night.
vii) To describe any past action with vivid expression for any text or story-telling.
Ex.
He sits down on the bed, looks pale and to listen the news
viii) To describe about any historical moment in present manner.
Ex.
India wins independence in 1947.
India becomes a democratic country in 1947.
ix) To use quotations of any great and noble persons in written texts.
Ex.
Swamiji says, “serve man is to serve god”.
x) To discuss about the happenings in a book or film.
Ex.
In the movie he plays the role of the villain.
xi) In exclamatory sentences when it starts with here and there simple present tense is used.
Ex.
Here comes the train!
xii) In conditional sentences simple present tense is used in if clause.
Ex.
If it rains in evening, I will come late.
xiii) To give the list of instructions for any processing and recipes.
Ex.
First of all, collects all the oranges together.
Present continuous tense:
Present continuous tense is used to mention the actions which have started in the present and still going on. In word we can say the continued action or progressive actions are expressed by present continuous tense. Time expressing adverbs are used with present continuous tense for mentioning the definite time. Dynamic verbs are used to show any activity in the present continuous tense. The simple structure of present continuous tense is:
Subject+ be verb (am, is, are)+ main verb + ing + other words.
i) To mention an action that is happening now.
Ex.
It is raining outside.
My phone is ringing.
ii) To refer the present plans that will happen in future.
Ex.
We are moving to Bangalore next month.
My school is going to be opened next week.
iii) To express any habitual action.
Ex.
My sister is always losing her keys.
iv) To speak about an action which is not happening at present.
Ex.
I am preparing for an upcoming event.
v) To describe the changes of current situation.
Ex.
Her memorising power is increasing over time.
vi) To describe complaints against any bad habits.
Ex.
He is often complaining about her food habits.
Present perfect tense:
Present perfect tense is used to refer any action which is finished but connected to the present time. It can be described in two terms which are: an action started in the past and ended in the past, an action started in the past but still continues in the present. The simple structure of present perfect tense will be:
Subject+ have/has+ verb 3rd form+ object or other words.
The rules of applying present perfect tense are:
i) To express an action which has just finished.
Ex.
He has just arrived the event venue.
ii) For that past actions which are continues in present for will be used to mention a period of time, since will be used to refer from a point of time.
Ex.
She has been unwell since Monday.
I have lived in Hyderabad for five months.
iii) When we think about the past and present at the same occasion and time.
Ex.
I can’t go for movie on weekend as I have hurt my leg.
iv) When an action is done in past but its effects or results are still exists in the present.
Ex.
I have cut my finger while cutting vegetables.
v) When the time is not mentioned and the definite time is not known to anyone.
Ex.
Have you rea the book ‘Malgudi days’?
vi) To express the future actions preceded by words like after, before, when, as soon as etc.
Ex.
We will go there after we have finished our lunch.
vii) After the time mentioning expressions like this is, that is, it is the first/second time.
Ex.
This is the first time I have travelled with friends.
viii) To describe the state which leads to the present time.
Ex.
He has always had an extraordinary imagination power.
ix) To express the completion of any achievement or ideas.
Ex.
Have you passed the exam?
x) To describe news happened in present times.
Ex.
The massive building has been destroyed by fire.
Present perfect continuous tense:
The tense form present perfect continuous will be used to focus on the continuous activities which is happening up to now. When an action started in the past but its result or effects is still continues in present time and will continue in future present perfect continuous tense will be used. The structure of forming present perfect continuous tense will be like:
Subject+ have/has+ been+ main verb+ ing form+ other words.
The common rules of using present perfect continuous tense are:
i) When an action started in past and has been going on for a period of time.
Ex.
It has been raining here since morning.
The child has been crying for one hour.
ii) With the continuous verbs like rain, sit, sleep, study, like, work, wait etc. for referring time-oriented actions.
Ex.
I have been working in this company for five years.
iii) Without mentioning time for any repeated actions.
Ex.
He has been sailing sarees since morning.
iv) To refer an action which is not completed yet.
Ex.
She is in the kitchen, she has been cooking since morning.
v) To focus more on continuous action or progressive action.
Ex.
We have been learning computer in this month.
vi) To reach n any conclusion.
Ex.
She is tired, she has been working hard.
FAQs:
1.) When does present tense used?
Answer. To express actions of present time, any single statement, habitual facts, and universal truths etc. simple present tense is used.
2.) What are the four parts of present tense?
Answer. The four parts of present tense are: simple present tense, present continuous tense, present perfect tense, present perfect continuous tense.
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