PRESENT TENSE

12 (SIMPLE, CONTINUOUS, PERFECT

PERFECT CONTINUOUS)

TENSE

Tense is used to denote the time of an action.

The three main tense forms are:
(c) The future tense
(a) The present tense The past tense
(b)
Each of the tenses mentioned above has four forms:
1. 4. Perfect Continuous
Simple 2. Continuous 3. Perfect
We use:
the simple present tense to indicate an action that takes place now (in the presernt
the simple past tense to denote an action that took place earlier (in the past)
the simple furure tense to indicate an action that is going to take place later (in the future)

Now look at the table given here that shows the different forms of verb play' in all the tenses mentioned abog
Present positive Negative Interrogative Past Tense Future Tense
Simple Iplay. I do play.
not Do I play? I played. I will play.
Continuous I am playing. I am not
playing. Am I playing? I was playing. I will be
playing
Perfect I have played. I have not played. Have I played? I had played. I will have played.
Perfect Continuous I have been I have not been Have I been I had been I will have been
playing. playing. playing? playing. playing.
(A Read the following sentences and underline the verbs in
different present tense forms. Stat
the tense of each underlined verb. The first one has been done
for you.
1. I am looking at the landscape.
Present continuous tense
2 The old man is snoring loudly.
***********

3.He does yoga regularly.

*******'***

4. She is dreaming of travelling in

space.
5. The labourers are toiling hard.
* * * *

6 The tortoise is sleeping in its shell.

7. The city wears a deserted look.
**°**.*******"

************

8. Sita islearning paragliding these days.

9. The mechanic has tried his best to
repair the bike but to no avail.
10. The bell rings after every period.
********

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 FEATURES
erbs in a sentence ndicate the tenses (the time of action).
The verb torms change according to the time of action. They can be the main verb forms (base,
articiples
articiples vwhich generally indicate action) or auxiliary verbs.

Main verbs are various forims of action words like eat, play, sleep, read and so on.
Auxiliary verbs are helping verbs and are forms of the verb be or have.
The verb forms ot be can be used as is, am, are, was or were.
The verb forms of have can be used as has, have, had, will have and shall have.

All these verbs help indicate the tense.

Example Gagan is reading a novel.

auxiliary verb main verb
The verb is reading is in the present continuous tense.
Sentences may also have multiple auxiliary verbs.

Example The baby has been playing since afternoon.

auxiliary verb auxiliary verb main verTb

The above sentence is in the present perfect continuous tense.

Be is often used as an ordinary verb. It is also used to form other tenses.

Examples: She is tired. (Here is as a form of be has becn used as an ordinary verb.)
She is playing. (Here is playing has been used to form another tense)
When be is used to form other tenses, auxiliary verb.
it is called an

Examples: Rohan said, "I am tired." (ordinary verb)

Rohan said, "I am reading a book" (auxiliary verb)
Sometimes, we use short forms of be.
Examples: I'm carly. ( am)
You're usually punctual. (You are)
forms of 'be' in the present tense.
Read the table given below to understand use of various
Positive Negative Interrogative
I am not I'm not am I?
Iam Tm
we are not we're not are we?
we are we're
you are not you're not are you?
you are you're
she is not she's not is she?
she is she's
he is not he's not is he?
heis he's
It is not it's not is it?
it is it's
they are not theyaren't are they?
they are they're
Short forms are also used very often.

Examples: you are not-> you aren't

he is not he isn't
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 are you not >
aren't you
am I
not?
n e short
form of 'am I
ain't 1?
The verb not?' is ditlerent. Caren't l' is also usca)
'have' may be used as verb to form other
Xpresses possession when itused an ordinary verb o r as an auxiliary
ordinary vero er tenses
is uscd as an
ordinary ve
Examples: (a) Roshni has a new mobile
phone. (possession)
(b) Samarth has a
The verb have is golf (possession,
set.
also used to make
tenses.
Examples: (a) Neeta has completed the work.
(b) Anupam has gone out.
n e table
given here to understand the various forms of verb 'have in t i e prCclt
Positive Interrogative
Negative
I have
I've I have not I haven't have I?
we have we've we haven't have we?
we have not
you have you've you have not you haven't have you?
she has she's she hasn't has she?
she has not
he has he's he hasn't has he?
he has not
it has it's it has noot it hasn't has it?
they have they've they have not they've not have they?
When we usehave in interrogative sentences, we Doyou have
can write:
Example : Do you have any chocolates? any chocolates?

or

Have you any chocolates?

U s e the appropriate form ofhe' and have' in the following senter

1. They (be) planning to watch the match on television.
2. I..... ....

(be) going to the nearby park.

3. Ragini **°°****
.. (have) not broken this vase.
4. Sushil... . (be) an intelligent boy.
5. They... ... (be) questioning him.

6. They .... .. (be) in a hurry.

7. You.... . . (be) a talented artist.

8. You... (have) contacted your friend it seems.

9. She... . (be) going to Shimla for a few weeks.

10. I ... (have) just made a cup of coffee.

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 PRESENT TENSE
t the table giveu below to nderstand uses of the present tense.

Simple Present Tense Present Continuous Tense Present Perfect Tense

a labitual action to express an action going on .at the to ndicate an action that bas
eNpress

ample lle goes to oflice by tme ofspeaking just been completed

Example: She is playing. Example: Sunmer has gone out.
sCIntitic facts and to express a temporary action which to denote an action which
to CNpresS
geeral truths may not be actually happening at the started in the past and is still
timeof'speaking continuig
Eumple: The sun gives us light
and energy Example: She is learning to swim at Example : He has been on

the club these days. leave since last weck.

to express a uture event that is to indicate an action that is expected to show past events, the time for
fixed programme to take place in the near fiuture which is not mentioned. Its effect
part of a or

tine table can be telt at the time ofspeaking.

Example : The ladies are going for a

Example The delegation movie this Sunday. Example: Sheca has completed
leaves for Geneva on Sunday. the engineeringcoursc.

FORMS OF SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE

Here is a table which shows different sinmple present tense forms of the verb 'sing'.

Positive Negative Interrogative

I sing. I do not sing. Do I sing?
We sing We do not sing. |Dowe sing?
You sing You do not sing Do you sing?
You (all) sing. You (all) do not sing.
Doyou (all) sing?
He/she/it sings. He/she/it does not sing Docs he/she/it sing?
(third person singular subject) They do not sing.
They sing Do they sing?
(third person plural subj¢ct)
Note: The simple present tense is also used in proverbs and sayings as they refer to pernancnt truths.

Examples: (a) Astitch in time saves nine.

(b) A rolling stone gathers no moss.
The simple present tense is used to express natural qualities and professional activities.
Examples (a) Sugar tastes sweet. (natural quality)
(b) A doctor treats patients. (professional activity)
In the simple present tense, we generally use the root form of the verb. But wich she, le, it and other singular
Subjects in the third person, we add -s or -es to the root form.
Example: He locks the entrance gate every night.
The negative sentence is formed by writing : subject + do/does + not t+ base formm of the verb.

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 Example: The boy docs not read novels.

subject + docs + not + base form of

verb (main verb)
he interrogativesentence is forimed by writing : do/does + subject + base form of the verb..
*****

Exumple: Does the boy read novels?

Does +subject + base form ofthe verb
Here are sentences with verbs in different forms of present tense.

FORMS OF PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE

The form of present continuous tense is : am/is/are + -ing form ofthe verb. The negative form is : an/is/are + ug
-Ing torm the verb.

Examples: (a) Fatima is covering her notebook. (b) Boys are learning martial arts.
(c) Sania is not reading a magazine. (d) The dogs are not barking.
In interrogative sentences, write the first part of the verb before the subject.

Example: What are you doing?

Verbs Not Used in Continuous Tense:
There are some verbs which are used in the simple present tense but not in the present continuous tense.
(a) Verbs of feelings and emotions: 'desire', 'want', 'fear', 'hate', 'dislike', 'respect' and 'appreciate
He is respecting her. X (is incorrect)
Herespects her. (is correct)
(b) Verbs of mental state and activity disagree', 'agree', 'believe', 'disbelieve', 'differ', 'doubt, find
imagine, 'know', 'mean', 'remember', 'suppose', 'trust' and so on
She isdoubting Hari's version of the story. X (is incorrect)
She doubts Hari's version of the story. (is correct)
(c) Verbs ofsenses: 'see', 'smell', 'hear', 'taste'
She is smelling the rose. * (is incorrect)
She smells the rose. (is correct)
(d) Verbs showing possession: 'possess', 'own', 'belong'
She is possessing a big farm. X (is incorrect)
She possesses a big farm. (is correct)

(e) Verbs like 'appear', 'seem', 'consist', 'contain', 'resemble'

He is resembling his father. X (is incorrect)
He resembles his father. (is correct)
Fill in the blanks with appropriate verbs from the brackets.

1. Ganesh ... .. (has, is having) a good collection of story books.

****°*********°°*
..(tastes, is tasting) delicious.
2 The cake.
3. He ...****'*********''*********(is wishing, wishes) me luck for my new assignment.

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 4. Mola t .orgets, is forgetting) his identitycard every secod day.
5. Naal... s disliking, dislikes) his new class1nate.
FORMS OF PRESENT PERFECTTENSE

rhe form of presciit perfect tense is : as/ave + past participle form of the verb

he nepative lorn1 is : ha/lhave + ot +past participle of the verb.

(a) He has just finished bis project work. (b) They have left for IHaridwar by
car.
Examples:
(c) She has not gone to her friend's house. (d) They have not gone to the auditorium.

lu ipterrogative sentences, we write: as/have + subject + past participle form ofthe verb t.
Examples:(a) Has he eaten breakfast? (b) What have they brought in the bag?

tlete are sentences

with verbs in different formns of the present tense.

Examples: (a) She plays badminton cveryevening, (simple present)

(b) They practise javclin throw in the stadiun. (simple present)
() He is studying now. (present continuous)
(d) She is learning to play the guitar. (present continuous)
(c) Gaurav has gone on an expedition. (present perfect)
in
DRead the following sentences and fill in the blanks with appropriate forms of verbs given
brackets. The tense form is mentioned along with each sentence.

1. They. .. (join) me for lunch today. (present continuous)

2. Boys ****''*****'*'******.. (love) to fly kites. (simple prescnt)

... (rise) in the cast and ... (set) in the west. (simple present)
3. Thesun
4. Thetheatrefestival. (begin) in the coming weckend. (sin1ple present)

5. My friend. .. (finisl1) reading the inovel. (present perfect)

. The sca waVCS* * *... (lash) on the scashorc. (present continuous)

7. 1.. ... (write) tlhe letter and posted it. (prescnt perfect)
Rewrite the followiug sentences as directed. The first two sentences have been rewritten for you.
E
. They are mecting today. (negative)
The are not mecting today.
2. She is travelling by bus. (interrogative)
Is she travelling by bus?
3. They are leaving for Kolkata soon. (interrogative)
4. She plays the piano. (interrogative)
5. She is going out this weekend.. (negative)
6. Students are rehearsing for the Sports Day. (1negative)
7. Grandma is knitting a cardigan. (interrogative)

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 CONTINUOUs
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SIMPLE PRESENT AND PRESENT
ne
simple
he prescnt present is used
tensetense
continuous to express
is used a habitu
to press aan action takingplace at the:time of spcaking.

Examples: (simple present tense abitual or repcar

4(a)My friends play
My fricnds play with
with me everyaay me
now
everyday
taking place
(action taking placc atat th
y tricnds are playing with me right
now (action th
w speaking-tense,present
the present continuous
continuous tense)
we use words like 'now, 'today' and 'at present.
with simple present tense, we use words like 'always, 'often', 'usually' and 'everyday'.

Examples : (a) It is raining now. (present continuous tc

present tense)
(Ot usually rains everyday in the rainy season. (simple
Correct Use of Some Verbs:
HAVE
when have is used to show possession or condition, we do not use it in the present continuous tens
Exam (a) I have a digital camera. (I am having adigital camera A)
(6) She has a toothache. (She is having a toothache X)
Have may be used in the
present continuous tense when:
We refer to some
arrangement for the future
Example: They are having a gala party next week.
in sentences where have
implies 'to take
Examples: (a) She is having her breakfást. (b) He is having a quick shower.
See, Look, Listen, Hear
See and hear are not action words and do not involve any intention of doing an action. Look and lister
action verbs and indicate intentional activities.
Examples: (a) I see a beggar on the footpath.
(6) Thear the announcement on the public address system.
(c) She is looking at me. (d) Is he listening to me?
Fill in the blanks with have,
having, see, looking, listen or hear
1. My friends.****°*****°°******°***... their own mobiles. 2. He is... . a healthy lunch.
3. I can the mountains from here.
***°°*°**°****°*°***°*
4. I am.. . . . at the shawls onsak
5. Did you... to all that he had say?
**°********* *** . . .
to 6. She can.. ..
****°**** the loud music.
FORMS OF PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE
The present perfect continuous tense is used to describe an action which started in the past and is still going ot
Examples : (a) The priest has been praying in the temple since morni
(b) The child has been playing all day.
It is also used with time phrases like 'all day , 'all week, all the time', 'since' and for'.
Example: The girl has been waiting for her parents since morning.
The form of present perfect continuous tense is: have been/ has been + present
participle.
Example The lady has been selling coconuts for three years.
For negative sentences, we write: havent been/hasn't been + present participle.
Example: He hasn't been playingfootball for five years.
In interrogative sentences, the first part of the verb is put before the subiect

Example: Has the girl been waiting for her parents since morning?

100 Cordoua Leauning Series Grammar-7

 the blanks with the prusent perfect continuons tense forni of verbs given in bracket,.

. Jettrey Archer. * ***°°***********°********.**** . . (Write) a new novel for the last onc ycar.
2. S a g a r i k a . . .* * * * * * ****°**.
. (Sutter) from viral infection since last Saturday
******°°**
** ****** ..(Ty) to learn French since she opted for it as the third language
3Tina.
4. She .. *** ********°*°****************** (help) her teacher after class everyday.

ESENT CONTINUOUS OR PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE?

P R E S E N T T

es,
we
Sometimes, w e express an action going on at present but do not specify for how long it has been going on. In
use the present
Such
cases, we
cases,
we use
continuous tense. But if we want to express for how long the action has been
g o i n go n ,w e use the present perfect continuous tense.
Examples: (a) Rama is playing. (at present) VALUE CORNER
(b) Rama has been playing for an hour. Nitin has been playing action games on the computer
(she started playing an hour ago and
since morning.
is still playing)
(a) Identify the tense in the above sentence.
Fill in the blanks with verbs in the present (b) Playing computer games continuously for hours
cOniinnous or present perfect continnous tense. can be harmful for your health. Comment.

1. The dog- **************************** for half an hour. (bark)

2. These days, she .
t to ride a bicycle. (learn)
3. He *************** to the office now. (drive)
4. The agitators *

**********°**.******.**** for a week. (protest)

5. He. . to participate in the cycling race next month. (prepare)
Read the following passage and fill in the blanks with appropriate forms of rerhs in the sinmple
present, present continnoHS, present perfect or present perfeet continnous tense.
The patients have been waiting (wait) for an hour for the
doctor to arrive. Some of them .. (have) an
appointment but there . . (be) others who
(come) for consultation without prior
appointment. The receptionist ... ..WTite) down
all the names in order. She .*********************°** (say) that the
doctor will reach the clinic any moment. Those waiting
******s** ******. (be) busy on the mobile or .
(read) magazines. The clinic. . . (paint) recently
it seems as the walls look fresh and clean. Some patients
******°***************** wait) since 8 a.m. and. . **** . g e t ) impatient. It appears that the doctorhas just arrived.

Fill in the blanks with verbs in different forms ofpreseut teuse. Use the rerbs given in brackets.
This ***** (be) the story of a brave girl who always . (help) others. She
*******°* *****°** .. (plan) to start a school and help girls of her age to learn martial arts. She
******°°**********
. (discuss) this in detail with her friends. She .. (keep) herself busy
these days. The girls . .respond) well in the past few days and ******************
(show)
a keen interest to learn martial arts. She . * . * * * * * * . .

(approach) an old martial arts instructor to

take the class and he '°°**°*****°°**... (agree) to do so.

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