What Is the Present Tense?
What Is the Present Tense? (with Examples)
The present tense predominantly describes a current event or state of being. However, somewhat unusually, the present tense can also be used to describe past and future events (more on this below). For example:
- I jump in the lake every Saturday.
- I am happy.
- The meeting ends at 6 o'clock.
- A man walks into a bar. Ouch!
(present event)
(present state of being)
(future event)
(See "Uses" for Simple Present Tense in the table below.)
(past event)
(See "Uses" for Simple Present Tense in the table below.)
The tense of a verb is determined by when the action took place. The three main tenses are:
- past tense
- present tense
- future tense
Examples of the Types of Present Tense
The present tense is categorised further depending on whether the action is in progress or completed. The four present tenses are:
The 4 Present Tenses | Examples | Uses |
---|---|---|
simple present tense |
| The simple present tense is used: (1) To describe facts and habits. (2) To describe scheduled events in the future. (3) To tell stories to make your listener or reader feel more engaged with the story. |
present_progressive tense |
| The present progressive tense is used for an on-going action in the present. |
present perfect tense |
| The present perfect tense is used to describe actions that began in the past and are still continuing into the present. |
present perfect progressive |
| The present perfect progressive tense is used for: (1) a continuous activity that began in the past and continues into the present, or (2) a continuous activity that began in past but has now finished (usually very recently). |
Diagrams for the Four Present Tenses
The infographics below show how each present tense is formed and a quick overview of how each one is used:
Simple Present Tense
For example:
- I play every Tuesday
Present Progressive Tense
For example:
- I am playing at the moment.
Present Perfect Tense
For example:
- I have played for his team before.
Present Perfect Progressive Tense
For example:
- I have been playing for a year.
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