Present tense of a verb

When you are reading this blog, you are using the present tense of a verb. The present tense of a verb is one of the most commonly used verb tenses present in english and it is essential to master, so that we can communicate effectively in both written and spoken language. We will deep dive into the present tense of a verb, how to form it, and its various uses in English.

What is the present tense?

The present tense of a verb is the form that refers to actions or events happening at the present moment. It is used to describe an action which is happening now. In English, the present tense is also used to describe universal truths and facts.

The below table shows some examples of the present tense of a verb and its sentence structures.

How to Form the Present Tense?

The present tense is formed differently for regular and irregular verbs and it depends on the subject of the sentences.

Regular Verbs

A regular verb is a type of verb in English that follows a predictable pattern for its conjugation. When you conjugate a regular verb, you simply add a suffix (usually "-ed") to the base form of the verb to form the past tense and past participle. In the present tense, regular verbs typically end in "-s" when used with third-person singular subjects (he/she/it).

• For singular third-person subjects (he, she, it), we add -s to the base form of the verb. For example, "She walks to work every day."

• For singular third-person subjects that end in -s, -x, -z, -sh, or -ch, we add -es to the base form of the verb. For example, "He watches TV every night."

• For plural subjects and all other persons, we use the base form of the verb. For example, "They walk to school every day."

Below is the table that provide explanations of the sentence structures with examples of regular verbs in the present tense:

Irregular Verbs

These types of verbs do not follow any specific pattern for forming the present tense. You need to memorise the different forms of such irregular verbs. These verbs often undergo changes in their vowel sounds or have completely different spellings when conjugated.

These are just a few examples of irregular verbs. There are many more irregular verbs in English, and it's important to learn their unique forms since they do not follow the regular conjugation patterns.

How to use Present tense?

The present tense is used to describe actions, events, or conditions that are happening at the present moment. It is also used to express general truths or habitual actions. Here are some common uses of the present tense:

1. Present actions: The present tense is used to describe actions that are happening right now. For example:

• "I am writing a letter."

• "She eats breakfast every morning."

• "The train leaves at 8 o'clock."

2. General truths or facts: The present tense is used to express general truths, facts, or permanent situations. For example:

• "Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius."

• "The sun rises in the east."

• "Cats are mammals."

3. Scheduled future events: The present tense can be used to describe future events that are part of a fixed schedule or timetable. For example:

• "The concert starts at 7 p.m."

• "My flight departs tomorrow morning."

• "The meeting takes place next week."

4. Narration or storytelling: The present tense can be used in literature or storytelling to create a sense of immediacy or to make events feel more vivid. For example:

• "The door creaks open, and a figure steps into the room."

• "He runs as fast as he can, trying to catch the bus."

5. Commentaries or live broadcasts: Present tense is commonly used in commentaries or live broadcasts to provide real-time descriptions of ongoing events. For example:

• "The striker passes the ball to his teammate."

• "The news anchor reports the latest developments."

6. Sports and game descriptions: Present tense is often used to describe sports or games as they unfold. For example:

• "The quarterback throws a pass to the wide receiver."

• "She dribbles past two defenders and scores!"

There are three main types of verb tenses past, present and future. Each group is further divided in four separate categories according to time.

The below table will help you to understand each categories of verb tenses:

The table below will help you to understand all the four forms of present tense with definitions and examples.

Common Mistakes with Present Tense:

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using the present tense:

• Using the simple present tense to describe actions that are happening now. Instead, use the present continuous tense.

• Forgetting to add -s, -es, or -ies to regular verbs when the subject is a singular third-person noun.

• Using the present perfect tense to describe a completed action in the past without a connection to the present.