Present Tense Definition Structure Types Uses and Examples

A complete guide regarding Present Tense Definition Structure Types Uses and Examples have been given in the following the learning of which will definitely help to master tense easily.

Present Tense describes an action in the present time. For Example,

• The fisherman catches fish.
• The birds fly in the sky.

In the above sentences the action words, ‘catch’ and ‘fly’ describes the actions in the present time. So, we can say the sentence is in the present Tense. Let us take a look at the structure.

Structure of the Present Tense.

The simple formula or structure of the Present tense is as follows.

Structure: Subject+Verb+Object.

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Types of Present Tense

According to the action performed in the present time, four types of Present tense exist in the English language.

1. Simple Present/Present Indefinite

When an action or state of the verb refers to any  Habitual or Permanent action in the present time. It is in the Present tense. For example,

• Honesty is the best policy.
• He eats rice.
• She drives a car.
• We go to school.

Structure

Structure: Subject+Verb+Object.

Use

We use simple present tense to talk about-

• daily routine: He goes to school.
• a habit: I wake up at 7 o’clock every day.
• hobbies: They fight.
• What happens every day: We return from school at 4 o’clock every day.
• a general truth: The sun rises in the east.
• universal and factual actions: Oil floats on water.

2. Present Continuous Tense

When an action is going on at the time of reporting and is not completed, It is in the Present Continuous Tense. For Example,

• We are playing football.
• She is dancing now.
• Ronota is singing a song.

Structure

Structure: Subject+am/is/are+Verb+ing+Object.

Use

to describe an action happening when speaking: The fan is moving.

3. Present Perfect Tense

When an action refers to describing a past action but that action is linked with the present moment, it is in the present perfect tense. For example,

• He has slept.
• Simran has drawn the picture.
• They have gone to school.

Structure

Structure: Subject+has/have+verb(Past-participle form)+object.

Use

to express an action just finished: I have received your letter.

to express a past action but the result still continues: She has done great work.

4. Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Starting earlier, when an action has been going on for some time and is not finished yet. it is in the Present Perfect Continuous tense. For example,

• They have been watching cartoons.
• She has been eating rice.
• We have been making noise in the class before the teacher comes.

Structure

Structure: Subject+has/have+been+verb+ing+Object.

Use

When an action started in the past but is going on in the present for some time: He has been swimming for two hours.

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Some Examples of Present Tense

(a) The sun rises in the East.
(b) They do not play football.
(c) Does he play football?
(d) Are we not honest?

(a) The fisherman is catching fish.
(b) The driver is not driving the car.
(c) Are you telling lie?
(d) Is she not singing today?

(a) He has played football.
(b) Students have made mistakes.
(c) John has done the work.
(d) We have gone to school.

(a) He has been playing football for two hours.
(b) Students have been making mistakes.
(c) John has been doing the work for four hours.
(d) We have been chanting the mantras for half an hour.

(a) I eat rice.
(b) The earth moves around the sun.
(c) We come back from school at 4 PM.
(d) I am going to write a letter.
(e) I feel the Taj is in front of me.
(f) I have done my duty.
(g) He has been suffering from a fever for seven days.