Present

Basically, there are two different forms of the Present tense in English grammar – the Present Simple and the Present Progressive. These two forms are used in different cases, can be recognized by different signal words and are moreover formed in different ways.

The Present Simple
The Present Simple is used to talk about things in general or to talk about something that happens all of the time or repeatedly. It is used to express routines, habits, thoughts, feelings, facts and unchanging states. Furthermore, the Present Simple is used for consecutive actions in the present and for general truths. The Present Simple can be identified trough various adverbs of repeated time. These are, for example: usually, generally, normally, always, sometimes, seldom, rarely, often, never, every day, every week, every month, every year, on Mondays and on weekends. Examples of sentences in the Present Simple tense that include a signal word are:

My brother always helps me with my homework.
My children never watch TV in the evening.
Her dog is never alone at home.
My uncle usually visits us on Thursday.

The Present Simple is formed by using the infinitive (which is the basic form of the verb without an additional ending). However, there is one exception to this rule – the formation of the Present Simple in the third person singular. So, when he, she or it is the subject of the sentence, we have to add an –s to the infinitive: “He reads (a book every evening).”

Other examples of the Present Simple tense are:
They don’t go to school.
She is not at home.
The earth goes round the sun.
Doctors care for their patients.
Cats like milk.

The Present Progressive
The Present Progressive is also called Present Continuous or –ing-form. It is used to express actions that happen at the time of speaking or right now as well as for actions that only happen temporarily. Signal words for the Present Progressive are among others: now, right now and at the moment. Imperatives like “Look!” and “Listen!” also indicate the Present Progressive since they show that something is happening right now. Examples of sentences in the Present Progressive tense that include a signal word are:
Look! They are building sandcastles.
Be quiet, please! The baby is sleeping at the moment.
I’m playing football at the moment.
Listen! The girls are singing a beautiful song.

The Present Progressive is formed by using the appropriate form of to be (am, are, is) + the infinitive+ -ing. One example of the formation is: “He is going (to school right now)”. As can be seen in this example, the subject is “he”, so we have to use “is”.

More examples of the Present Progressive tense are:
Please, don’t make so much noise – I’m working.
I’m going to bed now.
They are in England at the moment.
I’m having breakfast now.
Wait a minute – I’m preparing dinner.

To use the right form of the Present tense, we have to consider the time at which the action we want to express takes place and to investigate whether this action is happening at the moment of speaking or not. Finally, it is important to know the respective signal words that indicate either the Present Simple or the Present Progressive.

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