TENSES OF VERBS -A
SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE
TENSE:
 a property of verbs that expresses the different times at which an action takes place
relative to the speaker or the writer. It locates a situation in time and indicates when a
situation takes place.
 shows the time when a situation or a condition has occurred.
 provides emphasis and may determine whether or not an action or condition is
continuous or repetitive
ETYMOLOGY:
ME<OF tens =time < Gk tempus = time
Basic Tenses tell the time the action or condition has taken place without any other
condition or character. It simply shows whether a simple action or condition occurred,
occurs or will occur.
Three Basic Tenses:
1. Simple Past tense
2. Simple Present tense
3. Simple Future tense
Present tense indicates that an action is present now, relative to the speaker or writer.
Generally, it is used to describe actions that are factual or habitual – things that occur in the
present but are not necessarily happening right now.
Conditions in the use of present tense.
1. Expresses the idea that an action is taking place at the moment, “now moment”, an
instantaneous sense of present.
Ex. Larry is happy. (now) (He might stop being happy later or next day.)
Please wait awhile while I finish this letter. (now moment)
Mother is not at home. (at the moment only)
Every time that baby piles his blocks high enough, the cat swipes it down.(
instantaneous sense of the present)
Do you have enough money to pay for our order? (now moment)
2. Expresses the idea that an action is repeated or usually done. It could be a habit, a
hobby, a daily routine, or tendency (something that is usually done or not done).
Present tense habitual activities are frequently signaled by the following time
expressions: (adverbs of frequency): all the time, always, every +day, week,
month, year, time etc, most of the time, often, never, rarely, sometimes, usually,
frequently, seldom, nowadays, occasionally, from time to time, every now and
then.
Ex. Lily attends Mass at 6.45 a.m. every day. (daily routine)
I wake up at 6 o’clock in the morning. (habit/routine)
Marian always greets people that she meets with a smile (habit)
Greg makes toy figures out of balloons in his spare time. (hobby)
Paula usually forgets where she leaves her umbrella. (tendency)
3. Expresses facts, generalization or universal truths – talks about things we believe are
true or are not true (facts), makes sweeping or timeless statements (generalizations)
about something or somebody, or states universal truths such as laws of nature. The
speaker believes that a fact is true before, now and will be true in the future.
Ex.
A Catholic priest does not marry. (fact)
Typhoons are destructive (fact)
Women are more emotional than men. (generalization)
Men think crying is a weakness. (generalization)
It rains a lot in June.
What goes up, must come down. (universal truth)
High tide occurs during full moon. (universal truth)
4. Indicates events that are scheduled (by nature or people); conveys a sense of the future,
especially with verbs such as arrive, come, leave that suggest a kind of plan or
schedule.
Ex. Cebu Pacific Flight 378 leaves Manila for Bacolod at 6.45 a.m.
The sun sets at 6.10p.m.
Princess of Panay docks at Pier 7 on Wednesdays.
The rice shipment arrives tomorrow.
When do we board that plane?
5. Expresses events that are certain to happen in the future.
Ex. Grandmother turns 90 this November.
.
Christmas decors start to appear in display windows by September
Avocado trees begin to bloom in March.
A full term baby gets to be born in 36-40 weeks’ time.
The chrysalis develops into a mature butterfly.
6. Suggests the past with what is sometimes called fictional or historical present.
Historical present refers to the use of a phrasal verb in the present time to refer to an
event that took place in the past to create an effect of immediacy or a sense of urgency.
Examples of historical present:
 News bulletins with facts listed as summary.
Ex. Steve Jobs quits as Apple CEO.
Consignees of missing shipments face charges.
Caloocan resident wins P142-M lotto jackpot.
 Narrations of sports or other showcased events.
Ex. Barrameda passes the ball to Ravena, Ravena catches it, fakes a half
turn, aims for the ring and shoots the ball.
 Set –up of a joke
Ex. A horse walks into a bar. He sits on a stool and orders a martini, straight.
The bartender looks up and says, “Why the long face?”
 Description of actions in a script
Ex. Juliet ( walks to the window and looks out) He is not coming.” (She
murmurs to herself.)
7. Expresses permanent situations- situations in life that last a relatively long time.
Examples:
Albert works as an orthodontic specialist.
This 30-storey building houses many corporations.
Mila teaches Biology at St, John’s Catholic Academy
8. Suggests future action
Examples:
The family transfers to Cotabato by the end of the year.
The delayed plane arrives three hours after the scheduled ETA.
The concert starts in a short while.
9. Suggests past action, using verbs of communication.
Examples:
Jane tells me, “I took my mother to the hospital for her yearly medical checkup.”
Jessie asks,” Did you buy that perfume on sale at Robinson’s?”
Jenna says, “Father bought that house next to yours.”
10. Indicates imperative statements: commands, requests, procedures, directions
Ex. Jordan, stop talking. (command)
Jorey, please take this note to Ms. Gelvezon.(request)
1. Obtain request form from Counter 1
2. Fill in the form
3. Get priority number from the guard on duty.
4. Submit completed form to Counter 2.
Procedures
5. Wait for your number to be called
6. Pay the required fees
7. Claim your certificate.
Giving directions.
Take the Lizares St. Go south until you reach the third block with a grocery store
at the corner. Turn right, continue driving until you reach the junction of Mabini
and Roxas Sts. Turn left, the house you are looking for is the one with a green
gate.
Forms of Present tense:
a. Simple Present
Format:

base form of the verb -for sentences with plural subjects.
Ex. The policemen guard the political prisoners vigilantly.
Jerry and Yvonne find the history of Egypt very fascinating.
The birds scatter their droppings all over the place.
You move the chair to the front.
I cook the fish that father brings home from his fishing trip.

Verb + “-s” or “-es” for sentences with singular subjects, except “I” and “you”
that take on plural verbs. With “be” verb, “I” takes on the verb “am”
Ex. Grandmother dotes on her first grandchild.
The diamond ring flashes brilliant colors as the gem reflects the sunlight.
I am the master of my fate.
b. Emphatic Present
Format:
 To emphasize an action or condition: do, does + base form of the verb.
Ex. Mary Jane does help with the household chores. “Does” emphasizes the
action help. Note: the “-es” signal for third person is carried by “do”
The children do get excited when the circus comes to town. “Do”(for plural
subject) emphasizes the condition “get excited” Get is a linking verb.

To ask questions, positive(negative): Does, Do (n’t)+ subject(s) +base form of the
verb
Ex. Does Robby enjoy doing crossword puzzles?
Do your sisters study in the same school as you?
Doesn’t Emilio play the piano?
Don’t you like ice cream?

To use with negative statement: does, do+not(n’t) +base form of the verb.
Ex. Joseph doesn’t work at Aces Aluminum anymore.
I don’t know that you are also attending Mariz’ party.
c. Present Progressive Tense - is used to express the idea that something is happening at
the moment of speaking; describes an ongoing action that is happening at the same the
speaker has spoken or has written; describes activities generally in progress; talks about
temporary actions or future plans.
Format: am + verb + ing – is used only with personal pronoun I
Is + verb + ing – is used with third person singular personal pronouns, all
singular nouns, all collective nouns considered as a unit.
Are + verb + ing -is used with all plural nouns and pronouns and collective
nouns taken individually.
Conditions in the use of Present Progressive:

The “Now” happening – actions taking place at the moment
Ex. I am researching for my thesis now.
The patient is resting now, Please come again later.
The students are practicing for their P.E. presentation.

Limited in duration – refers to activities designed not to last long.
Ex. I am staying with my cousin in the meantime while the carpenter is
repairing my room.
Anabel is attending a seminar in Hong Kong this week; the week after,
she’ll be in Singapore.
Please sit down. The porters are taking up your luggage to your suite.

Longer duration – refers to long-term activities that started at some vague time in
the past and is expected to continue for an indefinite time in the future.
Ex. I am planning to construct a resort in Guimaras.
Sheena is appearing in a Broadway show.
The people are choosing their candidates for the barangay council.
.
I am studying to be a teacher.
Mr. Suarez is managing a school for gifted children.
The members of Marian Congregation are raising funds for an orphanage.

Future plans - the action is being planned to be done in the future.
 Ex I am planning to export avocados to Japan.
Amy is wearing her mother’s wedding gown on her own wedding day next
week.
We are throwing a surprise party for Dennis this weekend.

Tendencies and Trends –
Ex. Businesses are experiencing a downturn as a result of the real estate
market collapse.
Transformers 3 figures are getting popular as toys.
d. Intended Present – indicates an action that is intended to be done but another action
interferes and prevents the first action from being carried out.
Format : am /is /are + going to + base form of the verb.
am/ is / are + about to + base form of the verb
Examples:
I am going to assist you in your research but not now as I have an important
appointment.
You are about to cross the street when a car comes speeding by.
They are about to leave for a night out when an unexpected guest arrives.
Erika is going to buy these pair of earrings but a pickpocket has stolen her wallet.
Jenny is about to board the plane but her flight is cancelled due to engine
trouble.