Present Tense: Definition, Structures and Examples

What is present tense? It’s such an easy question for all English learners, as this form of tense is the most basic part of grammar!

But it might be a stranger to newcomers. Even if you have a great command of English, chances are that you sometimes make mistakes, as we humans seem to look down on simple things.

Either way, we got your back! This article covers all you need to know about this tense. You’ll learn from the simplest lesson, like the meaning and usage of present tense or common mistakes when using it.

All You Need To Know About Present Tense

Present Tense Definition

what is present tense

In English, the concept of tense indicates an action’s timing. Among the three tenses: past tense, present tense, and future tense, present tense in English describes current events.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, present tense is used to express the current action at the moment of speaking, schedule, routines, and facts. Likewise, the authors of Oxford Learner’s Dictionary define the present tense as the form of verbs that present a happening activity.

When To Use It?

When you need to describe a happening event, a routine or habit, a schedule, or state the general facts, present tense is what you’ll apply. Types of present tense are used in different situations for different meanings. Also, these tenses can be combined in a sentence for complex actions.

Present Tense Signal Words

Below are some words to tell what tense you should use. For present tense, adverbs of frequency are the signal words:

Other expressions of time include, such as but are not limited to:

Types Of Present Tense And Examples

types of present tenses

There are 4 types:

This part breaks down each category and provides present tense examples with detailed explanations.

Present Simple

Overview

  1. Present simple describes general, regular activities in daily life. For example:
  1. Or, you can use this form of tense to talk about schedule or habit.
  1. Scientific facts or truths are also uses of this tense. For instance:

Rules of present simple tense are what all beginners need to start with. They are the easiest yet the most fundamental part to further form other types of present tense. Depending on the subject (singular or plural), the simple present tense can be created with the root form or by adding “s” or “es”.

Signal Words

These signal words are the same as those of the general present tense we have mentioned in part 1.

Formula

So let’s start with the formula of simple present tense. From that, you can easily understand its rule and structure in a sentence.

Affirmative

Subject + Verb(e/es) + Object

Examples:

Negative

Subject + does/do not Verb(e/es) + Object

Examples:

Interrogative

Do/Does + (not) + Subject + Verb + Object?

Examples:

Present Continuous

Overview

  1. You use the present continuous tense to depict an event that is happening at the time of saying.

Example:

  1. The tense is also meant for ongoing actions or an action which is different from normal routine.

Example:

  1. In some situations, this present tense appears in complaintive sentences. You can turn to it to complain about something that happens too frequently. Remember to put adverbs of frequency (always, usually) in the sentence.

Examples:

  1. When mixing with present simple, present continuous portrays a happening action which is interrupted by another action (described by present simple).

Examples:

Signal Words

Formula

Affirmative

Subject + am/is/are + V-ing + Object

Examples:

Negative

Subject + am/is/are not + V-ing + Object

Examples:

Interrogative

Am/Is/Are + (not) + Subject + V-ing + Object?

Examples:

Present Perfect

Overview

Without a doubt, present perfect is the hardest tense in English. This is because non-English speakers don’t have this concept in their native language. That’s why they find it difficult to understand the tense usage and rules.

  1. The present perfect tense appears to show an action in the past that is not yet complete. 

Example:

  1. Describe a completed event, but it bears an impact on the sentence’s subject or object at the present.

Example:

  1. Present an action taking place at an undetermined time or a repeated action in the past.

Examples:

Signal Words

Formula

Affirmative

Subject + has/have + V(ed/past participle) + Object

Examples:

Negative

Subject + has/have not + V(ed/past participle) + Object

Examples:

Interrogative

Have/Has + (not) + Subject + V(ed/past participle) + Object?

Examples:

Present Perfect Continuous

Overview

  1. The present perfect continuous tense, or present perfect progressive tense, indicates that something began in the past and is still going on now. The Verb-ing in the present perfect continuous tense shows that the action had been ongoing steadily for a considerable amount of time.

You might find the present perfect and present perfect continuous tense similar and confusing, but don’t worry; we will draw the line between them later.

Keep in mind that the word “have been” or “has been” means that the activity is still ongoing. For instance:

  1. In some situations, people can use the present perfect continuous for temporary action. Example:

Signal Words

Formula

Affirmative

Subject + has/have + been + V-ing + Object

Examples:

Negative

Subject + has/have not + been + V-ing + Object

Examples:

Interrogative

Have/Has + (not) + Subject + been + V-ing + Object?

Examples:

Common Mistakes When Using Present Tenses

present tenses

Present Simple

One of the most typical mistakes when using the simple present form is verb conjugation. Most new learners are likely to forget to add “s” or “es” for 3rd person singular subjects (he, she, it). So you need to be careful when using it, even the simplest form of tense can cause you to make mistakes.

Present Continuous

For facts and repeated events, we don’t use this form of tense. Although it’s a basic thing, not everyone is aware of that.

When complaining about something, many people forget to add adverbs of frequency (always, etc.) before the Verb-ing. This will affect the tone of the speaker, leading to grammatical error and even miscommunication.

Present Perfect

In the present perfect form, verb conjugation is even more difficult as learners need to remember the past participle verb. For instance, “eat” becomes “eaten”, “break” becomes “broken”.

What’s more, there are some irregular verbs, such as “put”, “set”, that English learners need to learn by heart.

It’s important to learn the root form of verbs and their past participle versions. This helps you avoid grammatical mistakes and even improve your English usage.

Present Perfect Continuous

When a verb refers to an activity that is finished at one particular point in time, such as “start”, “stop”, or “finish”, you’ll need to avoid the present perfect continuous form. This is one of the most popular mistakes that many speakers and learners usually make when they aren’t aware of the context and tense.

Like present continuous, present perfect continuous can’t be used with special verbs like sense, emotions, perception, etc.

Most Confusing Tenses with Proper Usages

present tenses

Present Simple or Present Continuous?

Both forms describe ongoing actions, so when to use these present tenses and how to use them correctly? Remember that the present simple tense is the one to go for when mentioning a fact, truth, habits, or unchanged situation, while the other is not.

There are also some verbs which can’t be used in Continuous (Progressive) tense form, such as:

All you need to do is keep their base form when using these special verbs. Here are some examples of these verb usage:

On the other hand, in some cases, you can use the above verbs in Progressive form with a change of meaning (indicating a physical action).

Present Perfect or Simple Past?

Present perfect form focuses on the completion of the action (either in the past or the present) and its effects on the current subject/object. Meanwhile, simple past tense only indicates actions completed in the past and have no relation in the present context.

Example:

Present Perfect Or Present Perfect Continuous?

We use both tenses to discuss previous events or conditions that are still relevant to the present. Because of this, many people are confused about telling time apart. 

However, there are some differences between these two tenses.

While present perfect focuses on the activity’s result, present perfect continuous cares more about the activity. For example:

Present perfect answers “how many” questions, whereas present perfect continuous prefers “how long”.

Besides, present perfect describes a finished action (having an impact on the present), but the action in present perfect continuous is likely to continue. For instance:

Also, we use present perfect continuous when we can see proof of recent actions.

When discussing ongoing EVENTS or STATES, the present perfect is frequently used with the words “for”, “since”.

With the same signal words, however, present perfect continuous presents ongoing, repeated ACTIONS.

Present Continuous Or Simple Future?

Most new English learners find the present continuous and future simple similar. This leads to common grammatical mistakes when speaking and writing. 

The two tenses differ due to the length of the respective time periods. Present continuous (present progressive) refers to current acts and events, predictions with evidence, or near-future plans. Meanwhile, future simple form relates to future actions and events, uncertain predictions, or spontaneous promises.

Example 1:

Example 2:

Example 3:

Exercises

present tense exercises

Time for some exercise! It’s best to revise your knowledge with a little practice.

  1. Water _________________ (boil) at 100 degrees Celsius.
  2. Clara always _________________ (get up) at 6 in the morning because she _________________ (need) to catch the bus for school.
  3. He usually _________________ (drink) coffee, but today he _________________ (drink) tea.
  4. I am sorry I can’t hear what you _________________ (say) because everyone _________________ (talk) so loudly.
  5. That dress _________________ (fit) you perfectly. You _________________ (look) great.
  6. Do you want to drink something? I _________________ (go out).
  7. Look at those heavy gray clouds. It _________________ (rain).
  8. I _________________ (be) to many countries in Europe, but I _________________ (never visit) Poland.
  9. Anne _________________ (not eat) any meat since she was six.
  10.  My aunt _________________ (live) in the United States for over a decade.
  11.  The authorities _________________ (work) on a new set of guidelines for ages.
  12.  Billy is a great journalist. His newspaper _________________ (just offer) him an editing job.
  13.  Josh is so lazy. He never  _________________ (try) to help his mother do the chores.
  14.  Our team is in Berlin this week. We _________________ (take) part in a contest.
  15.  Can you help me, please? I _________________ (look) for Dr.Carlos’s office.

Answers For Exercise

Great job! Check the answers to see if you’ve grasped the concept of present tense!

  1. boils (present simple)
  2. gets up / needs (present simple)
  3. drinks / drinks (present simple)
  4. are saying / is talking (present continuous
  5. fits / look (present simple)
  6. am going out (present continuous)
  7. is going to rain (present continuous for a prediction with a proof)
  8. have been / have never visited (present perfect)
  9. has not eaten (present perfect)
  10.  has been living (present perfect continuous)
  11.  have been working (present perfect continuous)
  12.  has just offered (present perfect)
  13.  tries (present simple)
  14.  are taking (present continuous)
  15.  am looking (present continuous)

Final Words

Overall, present tenses in English seem easy, yet not as simple as you may think! Hope that this article has provided you with some helpful tips to avoid further mistakes when using this tense.

Practice makes perfect. Remember to do more exercise after reading the theory. Your English proficiency will improve in leaps and bounds!

If you have some advice or tips to prevent grammatical errors, feel free to share them in the comment section below!