Present Tense: Definition, Structure and Examples

Present Tense

The present tense is a type of tense that indicates that an action is happening right now or at the present moment. The present tense is used to indicate an action in the present time, habitual or usual actions; daily event,s and universal facts.

There are four different of the present tense:

1) Simple present tense / Present indefinite tense

2) Present continuous tense / Present Progressive Tense

3) Present perfect tense

4) Present perfect continuous tense

Simple Present Tense / Present Indefinite Tense

We use the simple present tense to express habits, general truths, repeated actions or unchanging situations, emotions and wishes.

Depending on the person (First, second or third), the simple present tense is formed by using the root form or by adding s or es to the end.

Structure

Positive	Subject + Verb in the base form/third person plural form Example: He look smart.
Negative	Subject + Do not/Don’t/Does not/Doesn’t + Verb in the base form/third person plural form Example: He does not look smart.
Interrogative	Do/Does + Subject + Verb Example: Does he look smart?
Negative Interrogative	Don’t/Doesn’t + Subject + Verb Example: Doesn’t he look smart?

Examples

1) My father goes to the office every day.

2) She loves to play Badminton.

3) My sister studies in Indore.

4) Does he go to the mall?

5) The Sun rises in the East.

6) New Delhi is the capital of India.

7) My brother’s train arrives around 2 p.m.

8) I do not read books.

9) Do you watch English movies?

10) I do not want to play anymore.

11) I like pizza.

12) They speak french in France.

13) My friend loves to eat pancakes.

14) My mother prays in the morning.

15) The teacher teaches English to the students.

16) I like to talk to her.

17) The birds fly in the sky.

18) They work at the same office.

19) She listens to music while driving.

20) He checks his emails every day.

21) The dress looks so pretty on her.

22) We go temple every Tuesday.

23) It usually rains every day in Ooty.

24) Meena eats very less.

25) Baby wakes up if you make too much noise.

26) I don’t like the food they serve at that restaurant.

27) Does your teacher give you positive feedback?

28) When do you want to meet me?

29) Jimmy likes me, doesn’t he?

30) It does not always rain here in January.

Present Continuous Tense 

The present continuous tense is used to describe an ongoing action that is happening right now, which is in progress or hasn’t been completed.

It is also referred to as the present progressive tense as they represent the action that is progressing in the present.

Structure

Subject + am/is/are + present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence

Positive	Subject + am/is/are + present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence Example : He is playing Badminton.
Negative	Subject + am/is/are + not + present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence Example : He is not playing Badminton
Interrogative	Am/is/are + subject + present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence Example : Is he playing Badminton ?
Negative Interrogative	Isn’t/aren’t + subject + present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence or Am/is/are + subject + not + present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence Example : Is he not playing Badminton ?

Examples

1) The girls are playing volley ball in the ground.

2) I am reading an interesting book .

3) They are not driving the bus.

4) She is singing to the music.

5) I am going to watch a move.

6) The boys are playing in the park.

7) Rita is comparing at the annual function.

8) My mother is cooking a cake for me.

9) The coach is training his team.

10) The teacher is teaching a new topic.

11) I am not doing that work.

12) Are you staring that dress ?

13) We are going to the school.

14) Children are playing in the stadium.

15) He is painting a picture.

16) Is he sleeping or awake ?

17) You are doing a great job.

18) Is your laptop working properly ?

19) She is not listening to her parents.

20) Why are they acting like this ?

21) My daughter is coming from New York.

22) You are eating the pizza.

23) They are going to the beach.

24) They are watching a movie together.

25) Meena is sitting next to Rohan.

26) Your Maths is getting better.

27) You are coming to New Delhi for conference.

28) I am making a sweet dish for dinner.

29) They are speaking too slowly.

30) Am I looking good today?

Present Perfect Tense

The present perfect tense represent an action that just happened in the recent past and still has its effect in the present or an action that represents an indefinite time in the past.

It’s easily recognized by the auxiliary verbs (or helping verbs) have and has.

Structure

Subject + have/has + past participle + the rest of the sentence

Positive	Subject + have/has + past participle + the rest of the sentence Example : I have finished my meeting. He / She has finished his/ her meeting. They have finished their meeting. You have finished your meeting.
Negative	Subject + have/has + not + past participle + the rest of the sentence Example : I have not finished my meeting. He / She has not finished his/ her meeting. They have not finished their meeting. You have not finished your meeting.
Interrogative	Have/has + subject + past participle + the rest of the sentence Example : Have I finished my  meeting ? Has he / she  finished his/ her meeting ? Have they finished their meeting ? Have you finished your meeting ?
Negative Interrogative	Have/has + subject + not + past participle + the rest of the sentence or Haven’t / hasn’t + subject + past participle + the rest of the sentence Example :  Haven’t I finished my meeting ? Haven’t you finished your meeting ? Hasn’t he / she finished his / her meeting ? Haven’t they finishedtheir meeting?

Examples

1) They have bought a new car.

2) Has she finisher her talk?

3) We have played chess at the home.

4) She has sung a beautiful poem on the stage.

5) I haven’t understood this question.

6) I have gone to the Paris.

7) He has finished the work.

8) Have you seen her?

9) We have received the email.

10) She has travelled to many different countries.

11) Mohan has won many medals in the wrestling competition.

12) They have already drunk their tea.

13) Have you gone shopping yet?

14) I have tried this sum so many times.

15) Have you tried this new dish?

16) Jack has just finished his essay.

17) She has taken Pizza.

18) They have already gone for dress rehearsal.

19) Have you called the Doctor?

20) They have shopped in the market.

21) We have seen that movie more than five times.

22) She has bought a new necklace.

23) Have you listened the latest news?

24) The authorities have not decided to take the meeting.

25) They have constructed a new house.

26) I have not eaten lunch today.

27) What have you done today?

29) Has he worked as a Pilot before?

30) We have learned the French language.

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

The present perfect continuous tense is a verb tense form that indicates that an action that started in the past is continuing in the present.

or

To indicate an action that is already completed, yet the effects are still being felt, or the continuity of the action is emphasised.

Structure

Subject + have/has + been + present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence

Positive	Subject + have/has + been + present participle + the rest of the sentence Example: He / She has been researching on this topic for an year. You have been researching on this topic for an year. I have been researching on this topic for an year. They have been researching on this topic for an year.
Negative	Subject + have/has + not + been + present participle + the rest of the sentence Example: He / She has been researching on this topic for an year. You have not been researching on this topic for an year. I have not been researching on this topic for an year. They have not been researching on this topic for an year.
Interrogative	Have/has + subject + been + present participle + the rest of the sentence Example: Have I been researching on this topic for an year ? Have you been researching on this topic for an year ? Has he / she been researching on this topic for an year ? Have they been researching on this topic for an year ?
Negative Interrogative	Have/has + subject + not + been + present participle + the rest of the sentence or Haven’t / hasn’t + subject + been + present participle + the rest of the sentence Example: Haven’t I been researching on this topic for an year ? Haven’t you been researching on this topic for an year ? Haven’t they been researching on this topic for an year ? Hasn’t he /she been reesearching on this topic for an year ?

Examples

1) He has been sleeping for two hours. 

2) The children have been studying since morning. 

3) They have not been learning French for one month.

4) I have been waiting for two hours.

5) You have been sleeping for four hours.

6) He has been cleaning the utensils from the sink.

7) My daughter has been participating in many quizzes.

8) My son has been practicing his piano.

9) They have been writing articles on different topics.

10) She has been cooking the cake for one hours.

11) Have you been listening to religious songs since morning?

12) They have been playing cricket in that Stadium for five hours.

13) You have been shopping in that mall for three hours.

14) He has been working as a teacher for two years.

15) Meeta and Tina have been swimming for one hour.

16) Malika has been performing on stage for 3o min.

17) Jony and Shini have been planning to go to Paris next week.

18) Have you been looking for this book ?

19) Hasn’t he been trying to get the concert tickets ?

20) He has been thinking of sending a bouquet of flowers.

21) They have been practising for the tournament.

22) You have been eating too much.

23) Why has Neena not been talking to him ?

24) You don’t understand  because you haven’t been listening.

25) How long have you been teaching English?

26) We have been playing video games for two hours.

27) He has been traveling around the world for a month.

28)  I have been feeling really exhausted.

29) They have been telling a truth.

30) She has been saving money.