The present tense is divided into modes:
- Present simple
- Present continuous
Present simple
The present simple is used for describing things that happen in general or things that occur repeatedly.
| 1. |
Doctors cure patients. |
| 2. |
I usually go to bed at ten. |
For the third person singular, the present simple uses the present tense inflection -s.
| 3. |
Peter drives a bus. |
| 4. |
Silvia looks after her Dad. |
| < ---------- |
I do |
---------- > |
|
past |
now |
future |
Present continuous
The present continuous is used for describing an action that occurs at the time of speaking. It is not a finished action. The present continuous consists of the verb to be in the present tense + a lexical verb with the ending -ing.
| 5. |
At this moment, I'm driving home. |
| 6. |
It is raining now. |
| |
I am doing |
|
|
past |
now |
future |
|