The Present Tense
- The Simple Present Tense
We use the simple present tense to state a general fact, habit or a routine. We can make sentences in simple present tense by using the base form of the verb When using verb in the simple present tense, we use a plural verb with a singular noun (0r pronoun) and a singular verb with a plural noun (0r pronoun).
Example:
| Plural Noun / Pronouns | Singular Verb |
| Sam and I (We) | watch cartoons. |
| Singular Noun / Pronoun | Plural Verb |
| Linda (She) | bakes cakes. |
- The Present Continuous Tense
We use the present continuous tense when we want to state something that is happening right now. In the present continuous tense we use helping verb is with singular nouns (or pronouns) and are with plural nouns (or pronouns). In the present continuous tense we use the present participle form of the verb by adding “ing” at the end.
Example:
| Singular Noun / Pronoun | Helping Verb | Verb + ing |
| I | am | washing clothes. |
| Jack (He) | is | cleaning the
window. |
| Plural Noun / Pronoun | ||
| The children (They) | are | playing in the yard. |
- The Present Perfect Tense
We use the present perfect tense to express an action that has been completed. It doesn’t matter when that action began or how long ago it ended. What is important is that it stands completed at this present time. It can be used to describe an experience or denote change. In the present perfect tense we use helping verb has with singular nouns (or pronouns) and have with plural nouns (or pronouns). In the present perfect tense we use the past participle form of the verb.
Example:
| Noun / Pronoun | Helping Verb | Third form of the verb |
| I | have | completed my work. |
| You | have | eaten my chocolates. |
| Norman (he) | has | gone to England. |
| Mom (she) | has | cooked pasta tonight. |
The Present Perfect Continuous Tense
We use the present perfect continuous tense to link a past action with the present. The continuous form stresses on the duration of the action, which means that the action started some time ago in the past, but has not ended yet and is still going on. In present perfect continuous tense we use the words has been with singular nouns (or pronouns) and have been with plural nouns
(or pronouns). In the present perfect continuous tense we use the present participle form of the verb by adding ‘ing” at the end.
Example:
| Noun / Pronoun | Helping Verb | Verb + ing |
| I | have been | driving for four hours. |
| Tony and I (we) | have been | making posters since morning |
| Mona (she) | has been | painting pots all day. |
| Dad (he) | has been | watering the plants for an hour. |
