8th Class English Tenses Present Tense

    Present Tense

It expresses an action or event that takes place at present. Present Tense is divided into four categories. They are the following:

(i) Simple Present or Present Indefinite

(ii) Present Continuous or Present Progressive

(iii) Present Perfect

(iv) Present Perfect Continuous  

       Simple Present or Present Indefinite

This tense ('s used t-o express the habitual action which is truths, planned activities, quotations and to put questions. This tense shows an action done in a general way in the present time.

• Smith speaks English fluently.
• Jackson recognizes me very well.
• They know well about this matter.

In the above given sentences, the verbs 'speaks', 'recognizes' and 'know' show an action done in general way in present time. They do not say whether the action is complete or incomplete. These verbs are in Present Indefinite Tense.  

Points to keep in mind:

• Present Indefinite Tense is used to show a habitual action.

    Example: Michael goes to college every day.

• Present Indefinite Tense is used to express a universal truth.

    Example: The earth moves round the sun.

• Positive sentences do not use do or does.

    You make a point.

• For the 3rd person singular (he, she, it or the name of any person), add s/es to the main verb

   My mother encourages me to take part in games.  

      Present Coninuous Tense

The Present Continuous Tense is used to express an action or event that is taking place. This tense shows an action which is going on (or continuing) at the time of speaking.

• Vandana is taking yoga classes right now.
• India is developing day by day.
• The world is criticizing the terrorism.

In the above given sentences, the verbs 'is taking', 'is developing' and' is criticizing' show an action that is going on or continuing at the time of speaking (in present time). Here the action is incomplete. These verbs are in Present Continuous Tense.  

Points to keep in mind:

• Present Continuous Tense is used to show a temporary action.

   Example: We are talking about international issues.  

• Present Continuous Tense is used to show an action expected to take places in future.

    Example: My brother is going home tomorrow.  

• Present Continuous Tense is used to talk about the activities happening now.

    Example: My brother is reading a book.  

• Present Continuous Tense is used to talk about activities happening around now, and not necessarily this very moment.

   Example: He is working hard for his exam.  

       Present Perfect Tense Present

Perfect Tense is used to express the actions just completed, put questions and speak about past actions whose time is not specific. Present Perfect Tense shows an action started in the past and completed at the time of speaking (in present time).

•  She has learnt the lesson.
•  Smith has done this work.
•  They have reviewed the situation.

In the above given sentences, the verbs 'has learnt', 'has done' and 'have reviewed' show an action started in the past and completed at the time of speaking (in present time). These verbs are in Present Perfect Tense.    

Points to keep in mind:

• Present Perfect Tense is used to express an action that has just been completed.

    Example: Kunal has opened the room.

• Present Perfect Tense is used to express past actions whose time is not given.

    Example: We have painted the room.

• Present Perfect Tense is used to describe experience.

    Example: I have been to your place twice.

• Present Perfect Tense is used to talk about change that has happened over a Period of time  

      Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Present Perfect Continuous Tense shows an action that started at some time in the past and is continuing in the present time.

• Michael has been reading a book for two hours.
• Maickel has been sleeping since 2 PM.
• They have been working since Monday.

In the above given sentences, the verbs 'has been reading', 'has been sleeping 'and 'have been working' show an action started at some time in the past and continuing in the present time. These verbs are in Present Perfect Continuous Tense.

Points to keep in mind:

• In Present Perfect Continuous Tense 'for' is used to suggest period of time and 'since' to show point of time.
• Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used to show the continuity of an action which began in the past and still going on.

    Example: Peasants have been ploughing the field for five hours. We have been discussing this matter since 27 July.