Present tense verbs along with present perfect tense are well explained with definitions, explanations, and a lot of examples. There are several examples for your better understanding, along with the definition, rules of use, and syntax.

Let’s get into the article!

What are Present Tense verbs?

Present Tense Definition

We have already learned that there are three different types of tenses in the English Language. They are mainly divided based on the time of the action.

Chronologically, it should be,

• Past Tense,
• Present Tense, and
• Future Tense.

Now, what is the present tense?

The present tense is defined as a form of tense in English grammar that expresses the state or any action in the present time.

Now, each of them has four subcategories that denote the different time-frames in which the action has taken place.

Type of Present Tense

In this post, I will be focusing on only the four categories of the present tense.

• Simple Present/Present Indefinite tense
• Present Continuous Tense
• Present Perfect Tense
• Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Present Tense Examples

There are several examples for each type of present tenses.

So, let’s get started.

Simple Present Tense

What are the Simple Present Tenses?

Simple present tense, as the name suggests, describes an action or event, or phenomenon that is happening in the present moment. Also, at the same time, you can use this tense to denote some everyday habit or some action that happens on a daily basis.

• It is a commonly used tense, and it comes with its own set of rules.
• Knowing these rules is imperative to be correct with your speech and be able to express exactly what you wish to say.

Simple Present Tense Uses & Rules

Now, where do we use or when to use, or what are the basic rules of simple present tense? Well, typically, we can use the simple present tense in the following basic four cases:

• You can use this tense to express facts, general statements, general truth, or some common-sense ideas that everyone is aware of.
• We can also use this to state habits, customs, and even some events that might take place periodically.
• We can further use the simple present tense to describe your future plans and events.
• You can also use this tense to tell jokes, stories, and even sports-related events in real-time.

You need to understand that this tense is mostly used towards the present participles rather than to talk about an action that is performed by the subject in the present.

Also, the first person, second person, and third-person plural regular verbs are very much straightforward. They are just like the infinitive form of the verb most of the time.

But with the third person singular person, there are a few rules that you need to keep in mind. I guess with some practice, you can easily memorize them.

• For most of the regular verbs, we simply add an ‘s’ at the end.
• There are many verbs that end with ‘s’, ‘ss’, ‘sh’, ‘ch’, ‘th’, ‘x’, ‘z’, or ‘o’, we simply add an ‘es’.
• Lastly, there are many verbs that end with ‘y’. It has a simple trick. Just drop ‘y’ and add ‘ies’ in the position of ‘y’.

Simple Present Tenses Structure

The simple present follows a simple syntax where the verb stays in the first form or the base form. It can use the ‘Be Verb’ like am/is/ are, or it can use other verbs for that matter, but regardless of the verb, the form used will always be the first form or the base form.

Like for affirmative sentences the syntax can be:

• Subject + am/is/are + predicate

For negative sentences, the syntax can be:

• Subject + am/is/are + not + predicate

For interrogative sentences the syntax can be:

• Am /Is/ Are + Subject + predicate?

The syntax can change a bit for other verbs, but the verb form will be the same.

• Subject + verb + object
• Subject + don’t/doesn’t + verb + object
• Do/ Does + Subject + verb + object

Simple Present Tenses Examples

Let’s look at a few other examples of this tense:

• On every New Year’s Eve, my wife and I drink a toast.
• Do you like my new shirt?
• The sun rises in the east.
• He sounds pretty confident.

Check a NICE ANIMATED video from LearEasyEnglish!

Present Continuous Tense

What is Present Tense Continuous?

Just like the name suggests, the present continuous is primarily used to denote an action taking place right now in the present context. This is one of the most common tenses to be used in the English language.

• One of the key characteristics of this tense is that the main verb will always be used with ‘ing’, and the auxiliary verb will denote the tense.
• The ‘ing’ form of the main verb gives the sense that the action is taking place in the present moment.

In English grammar, present continuous tense is also known as present progressive tense, as progressive implies continuous. Apart from describing an action that is happening in the present moment, it can also denote the actions that might take place in the near future.

Let’s try to understand the use of this tense? Well, this tense can be used in the four general cases:

• You can use these tenses to describe events happening right now/ current time.
• If you try to describe all your plans in the near future, you have to use it.
• To talk about a new pattern or habit.

Formation of Present Tense Continuous

As I have said earlier, this tense uses two different verbs where the auxiliary verbs are nothing but the present form of the ‘Be Verb’. The main verb, on the other hand, will always use the ‘ing’ form. These verbs can also sometimes use adverb modifiers to talk about the time duration of an activity that is going to continue in the future (E.g., in one hour’, this Fall’).

On top of that, they are also frequently found in the context of using dynamic verbs that can describe,

• An activity.
• A process.
• A bodily sensation (like an ache, feel, hurt).
• A transitional event (like arrive, leave).
• Momentary occurrence (like hit, jump, kick).

The Syntax can be:

• Subject + am/is/are + verb + ing+ object
• Subject + am/is/are + not + verb + ing + object
• Am /Is/ Are + Subject + verb + ing+ object?

Present Tense Continuous examples

Let’s look at a few examples of this tense:

• I am going to Delhi tomorrow.
• They are playing in the back-yard.
• I am feeling a bit nauseous after having the meal.
• We are going to fly back and forth between Philadelphia and New York City.

• The foggy weather is slowly lifting, which will make my drive much safer.

You can check a lot of worksheets for present tense verbs.

Present Perfect Tense

What are Present Perfect Tenses?

Perfect tense often scares most of the speakers, as it seems a bit complicated at first glance. But in reality, if you understand the basic rules of the tense, it can be downright simple. Usually, it is used to describe an action that started in the past but has continued into the present.

Moreover, although the action is already finished, the effect is very much alive and relevant.

The tense can be used to denote:

• An action or some situation that began sometime in the past and has continued in the present.
• It can also denote an action that was performed during a period but has not yet finished.
• It can also describe some repeated activity between a certain time period, i.e., the past and current time period.
• We can also use it to denote an action just visited in the very recent past or for action, in which case the time is not important.

Present Perfect Tense Formation

• The tense is formed with ‘have/has’ as the auxiliary verbs, and the main verb takes the third form of the verb or the past participle form of the verb.
• It can also use the adverbs that describe the time on which the action got started in the past, and it continues in the present time (e.g., I have worked every day this week). It can also use adverbs to denote the specific point in time (e.g., I have studied today).
• We can also use it to speak about an event that happened in the recent past.

The syntax can be:

• Subject + have/has + verb 3^rd form + object
• Subject + have/has + not + verb 3^rd form + object
• Have/has + Subject + verb 3^rd form + object?

Present Perfect Tense Examples

Some examples can be:

• My son has completed his mathematics homework assignments.
• The farmer has planted all the seeds necessary for the potato season.
• We have finished watching Game Of Thrones, and we can start Money Heist.
• My company has changed the rules for work-from-home, and now we have to come to the office twice a week.
• I have finished reading this book, and now I am going to do a review for my Youtube channel.

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

What are Present Perfect Continuous Tenses?

Lastly, we have the present perfect continuous verb, also known as the present perfect progressive. We can use it to describe an action that first started in the past and is still happening in the present. It can also refer to an action that is still relevant in the context of other things happening in the present.

It can be typically used in two cases:

• The starting point of the action is past but is still continuing in the present.
• Some action that happened recently, but the relevancy is still there.

Present Perfect Continuous Tense Formation

The syntax can be:

• Subject + have/has + been + verb+ ing + object
• Subject + have/has + not + been + verb + ing + object
• Have/has + Subject + been + verb + ing + object?

Present Perfect Continuous Tenses Examples

Some examples of this tense form are:

• You have been working too much and regularly skipping your lunch.
• My father has been monitoring my screen-time exposure.

Present Tense Examples & Uses

Let’s see few present tense examples, in tabulated forms:

Different type of Present Tenses	Examples	Uses
Present tense simple	I play football. I eat rice. He takes tea in the morning. I like an ink pen	Use to describe normal facts, or to tell a story, scheduled events,
Present continuous tense	I am playing football. I am eating rice. He is taking tea in the morning.	Use to describe an ongoing work or events or action.
Present perfect tense	I have played. He has taken tea in the morning.	Use to describe an action that started in the past but has continued in the present as well.
Present Perfect continuous tense	Minu has been playing basketball. I have been taking tea.	We can use these tenses to describe an action that first started in the past and is still happening in the present.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it, a detailed discussion on all the four categories of the present tenses. Should you have any further questions on the use of this tense, feel free to mention them in the comment section below!