In the present

In English grammar, the present tense is used to talk about something that is going on now (currently) or that is true now and at any time. There are four types of the present tense.

■ Simple present tense

■ Present continuous tense

■ Present perfect tense

■ Present perfect continuous tense

SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE

The simple present tense uses the same verb form as the root form of the verb. We use the simple present tense in the following conditions:

■ To show a fact or something that is always true

■ For activities that are done daily, regularly or habitually

■ To express thoughts, feelings, opinions and beliefs

Formulating the simple present tense

Depending on the person, the simple present tense is formed by using the root form or by adding -s or -es to the end.

Let us look at some examples.

■ He goes to the library often.

■ When does the flight to Seychelles depart from Mumbai airport?

■ I always wake up at 6 am.

■ We agree with most of your plan.

■ I like chocolates.

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 talking about a planned or arranged event or action that is set to take place at a specified time in the future.

■ With adverbs such as ‘always’ which describe an action that happens frequently.

Formulating the present continuous tense

It is formed from the present tense of the auxiliary verb ‘to be’ and the present participle of the verb ‘-ing’.

Here are some examples:

■ 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

■ To indicate a time period that has not yet finished

■ Used to indicate or describe actions that have been completed in the recent past

Formulating the present perfect tense

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. 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 eight 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).

Formulating the present perfect continuous tense

The present perfect continuous tense is made up of two parts:

i. The present perfect tense of the verb ‘to be’: ‘have been’ or ‘has been’

ii. The present participle of the main verb ‘-ing.

Here are some examples.

■ 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.