USE OF PRESENT TENSE

USE OF PRESENT TENSE

VIKASANA - BRIDGE COURSE - 2012

Two Present TensesTwo Present TensesStudy the following sentences :Study the following sentences : My cousin My cousin is singingis singing now. (Present now. (Present

continuous)continuous) She She singssings early in the morning early in the morning

everyday. (Simple present)everyday. (Simple present)


Use both tenses to talk about present Use both tenses to talk about present time.time.

is singingis singingSingsSings

Verbs in the present Verbs in the present tensetense


In this unit, we’ll discussIn this unit, we’ll discuss

how we form the two tenses,how we form the two tenses, how we choose between the two andhow we choose between the two and what differences in meaning our what differences in meaning our

choices will makechoices will make


Talking about the present Talking about the present (The simple present)(The simple present)

Dear Students, Dear Students, See the description of a typical day See the description of a typical day in the life of a student. Listen to it in the life of a student. Listen to it carefully. Later, I’ll ask you a few carefully. Later, I’ll ask you a few questions. See if you can answer questions. See if you can answer them.them.


Gopal usually Gopal usually gets upgets up at 5.30 a.m. at 5.30 a.m. After brushing his teeth, he After brushing his teeth, he takestakes a cup a cup

of milk. of milk. Then he Then he spendsspends about one hour reading about one hour reading

his lessons for the day. his lessons for the day. He He takes takes his bath at 7.30. his bath at 7.30.


He He dressesdresses quickly and quickly and eatseats his his breakfast. breakfast. He He leavesleaves home at 8.20 and home at 8.20 and goesgoes to the to the bus stop nearby. bus stop nearby. His college bus His college bus comescomes there at 8.30.there at 8.30.


Gopal has classes from 9.30 to Gopal has classes from 9.30 to 3.30.3.30.

He He finishes finishes his lunch in about 15 or his lunch in about 15 or 20 minutes.20 minutes.

In between he has a lunch break In between he has a lunch break from 12.00 to 1.00.from 12.00 to 1.00.


He He spends spends the rest of the time in the the rest of the time in the college library.college library.

He He reachesreaches home by 4.30. home by 4.30. After taking his tea, he After taking his tea, he goes outgoes out to play to play

cricket.cricket.He He returnsreturns home by 6.30. home by 6.30.


You have listened to the You have listened to the description, haven’t you? Now try to description, haven’t you? Now try to

answer these questions.answer these questions.


1) What does the passage describe? 1) What does the passage describe?

2) Do you remember Gopal’s different 2) Do you remember Gopal’s different kinds of routines?kinds of routines? A : daily routines at home.A : daily routines at home. B : daily routines in college.B : daily routines in college.

3) Do the activities take place at the 3) Do the activities take place at the time of speaking? time of speaking?


Look at the description again. Look at the description again. Some of the words are underlined. Some of the words are underlined.

Do you know why they are underlined?Do you know why they are underlined?


Gopal usually Gopal usually gets upgets up at 5.30 a.m. at 5.30 a.m. After brushing his teeth, he After brushing his teeth, he takestakes a cup a cup

of milk. of milk. Then he Then he spendsspends about one hour reading about one hour reading

his lessons for the day. his lessons for the day. He He takes takes his bath at 7.30. his bath at 7.30.


He He dressesdresses quickly and quickly and eatseats his his breakfast. breakfast.

He He leavesleaves home at 8.20 and home at 8.20 and goesgoes to the to the bus stop nearby. bus stop nearby.

His college bus His college bus comescomes there at 8.30. there at 8.30.


Yes. They are verbs. You know that Yes. They are verbs. You know that verbs are words denoting actions.verbs are words denoting actions.


Can you identify the tense of these Can you identify the tense of these Verbs, i.e, whether they are in present Verbs, i.e, whether they are in present

Or past tense?Or past tense?

Yes. They are all present tense forms. Yes. They are all present tense forms.


I/We/You/They/The girls I/We/You/They/The girls singsing//watch.watch. He/She/It/My brother sings/watchesHe/She/It/My brother sings/watches

How do we form the simple How do we form the simple present?present?


If the subject is I, You, We or any plural If the subject is I, You, We or any plural noun, we use the verb in its basic form. noun, we use the verb in its basic form. If the subject is He, She, It, or a If the subject is He, She, It, or a singular noun, we add singular noun, we add ss//eses to the verb to the verb


DoDo you you likelike spiders? spiders? How How doesdoes she she eateat raw potatoes? raw potatoes? They They do not (don’t)do not (don’t) drinkdrink any soft any soft

drink. drink. She She does not (doesn’t) speakdoes not (doesn’t) speak

Japanese. Japanese.

How do we form questions and How do we form questions and negatives? negatives?


We use do and does to form questions We use do and does to form questions and negatives. and negatives.


I I drinkdrink several cups of coffee everyday. several cups of coffee everyday. I I always drinkalways drink it with milk. it with milk. I I never drinknever drink black coffee. black coffee.

Let’s examine the meaning of the Let’s examine the meaning of the simple present.simple present.


Habitual ActionsHabitual Actions

Expressions of frequency : always, Expressions of frequency : always, generally, often, sometimes, never, generally, often, sometimes, never, everyday, usually, hardly, once/twice a everyday, usually, hardly, once/twice a week, on Mondaysweek, on Mondays


Honesty Honesty isis the best policy. the best policy. The sun The sun risesrises in the east. in the east. Cows Cows eateat grass. grass. Oil Oil floatsfloats on water on water Water Water boilsboils at low temperatures at at low temperatures at

high altitudes.high altitudes.

General truths General truths (timeless (timeless

truths)truths)


A A passespasses to B, C to B, C interruptsinterrupts, D , D shootsshoots. It’s a goal !. It’s a goal !

You You gogo straight for straight for a kilometer, then a kilometer, then you you comecome to the to the park.park.

In commentaries.In commentaries.

InstructionsInstructions


Now I Now I putput the cake the cake mixture into this mixture into this bowl and bowl and addadd a a drop of vanilla drop of vanilla essence.essence.

DemonstrationsDemonstrations


I beg your pardon. I beg your pardon. (The speaker is (The speaker is performing an performing an action)action)

I deny your I deny your charge.charge.

The The performative useperformative use


The train leaves at The train leaves at 12.15.12.15.

No.54 goes to No.54 goes to Gandhinagar.Gandhinagar.

If I come back tomorrow, If I come back tomorrow, I’ll ring you up. I’ll ring you up.

Scheduled Scheduled activities i.e, activities i.e, activities that go activities that go by plans/pre-by plans/pre-arrangments.arrangments.


My cousin My cousin does not playsdoes not plays the violin. (x) the violin. (x) My cousin My cousin does not playdoes not play the violin. ( the violin. ()) DoesDoes she always she always makesmakes so much noise? so much noise?

(()) DoesDoes she always she always makemake so much noise? so much noise?

(())

Useful points to rememberUseful points to remember


We do not add-s or – es to the main We do not add-s or – es to the main verbs in questions and negatives. We verbs in questions and negatives. We use do or does to suit the subject.use do or does to suit the subject.


Activity 1Activity 1Use the expressions in the box to Use the expressions in the box to

complete the dialogue.complete the dialogue. lovesloves Sleeps for an hourSleeps for an hour Plays by herselfPlays by herself Give her a bathGive her a bath


(Govind tells his mother about his (Govind tells his mother about his baby.)baby.)

M : So, how’s little Rajani doing?M : So, how’s little Rajani doing? G : She’s such an angel. She ………G : She’s such an angel. She ………

most of the time.most of the time. M : Does she sleep during the day? M : Does she sleep during the day?

She should, you know.She should, you know.


G : Oh, yes, she does. She………G : Oh, yes, she does. She………after lunch.after lunch.

M: What does she like to eat?M: What does she like to eat? G: She ……..boiled potatoes and G: She ……..boiled potatoes and

curd.curd. M : When does she have a bath?M : When does she have a bath?


G : Veena or I………in the afternoon.G : Veena or I………in the afternoon. M : I’m so glad she’s coming on well. M : I’m so glad she’s coming on well.

God bless her.God bless her.


Check whether you have answered Check whether you have answered correctlycorrectly

Key Answers : Key Answers : Plays by herself Plays by herself Sleeps for an hourSleeps for an hour loves loves give her a bathgive her a bath


Activity 2Activity 2The table has information on how The table has information on how

Premila spent her holidays last Premila spent her holidays last summer. Imagine that she follows the summer. Imagine that she follows the

same routine again this summer and fill same routine again this summer and fill in the blanks in one of the routines in the blanks in one of the routines

each.each.


6 a.m. – 7 a.m. - practiced music6 a.m. – 7 a.m. - practiced music 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. - Cooked lunch9 a.m. – 10 a.m. - Cooked lunch 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. – played basketball4 p.m. – 5 p.m. – played basketball 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. – worked in the garden5 p.m. – 6 p.m. – worked in the garden 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. -went for tuition6 p.m. – 7 p.m. -went for tuition 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. – spent time with her 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. – spent time with her

familyfamily 10-30 p.m.- went to bed10-30 p.m.- went to bed


Premila ………..between six and Premila ………..between six and eight in the morning everyday.eight in the morning everyday.

She……….between 9 a.m. and 10 She……….between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.a.m.

In the evening between five and six, In the evening between five and six, Premila……………Premila……………

She……………between six and She……………between six and seven.seven.


Later, she……………..two hours with Later, she……………..two hours with her family. her family.

Premila…………….at 10.30 p.m.Premila…………….at 10.30 p.m.


Check whether you have Check whether you have answered correctlyanswered correctly

Key Answers : Key Answers :

PracticesPractices music, music, cookscooks lunch, lunch, worksworks in the garden, in the garden, goesgoes for tuition, for tuition, spendsspends time with her family, time with her family, goesgoes to to bedbed


Talking about the present Talking about the present (The present continuous)(The present continuous)

Dear students, Dear students,

Listen carefully to the dialogue below.Listen carefully to the dialogue below.

Later, I’ll ask you a few questions.Later, I’ll ask you a few questions.

See if you can answer them.See if you can answer them.


[Kalpana speaks to Vikas on the [Kalpana speaks to Vikas on the telephone]telephone]

K : Hello. Kalpana here.K : Hello. Kalpana here. V : Hi, Where are you? You’re late V : Hi, Where are you? You’re late

today.today. K : I’m still in office. We have an K : I’m still in office. We have an

important meeting at six.important meeting at six.What is What is everyone doing?everyone doing?


V: Well, V: Well, mother is readingmother is reading the the newspaper and glancing at the clock newspaper and glancing at the clock every five minutes. every five minutes. Father is walking Father is walking up and downup and down the street, waiting to the street, waiting to see if see if you are comingyou are coming. . Grandfather Grandfather is watching TVis watching TV, and , and Kiran is Kiran is studyingstudying for her physics test. for her physics test.


K : And you ?K : And you ? V: V: I’m listening to music.I’m listening to music.


You have listened to the dialogue, You have listened to the dialogue, haven’t you? Now try to answer haven’t you? Now try to answer

these questions.these questions. Who are taking part in the dialogue?Who are taking part in the dialogue? Can you tell me what they are doing?Can you tell me what they are doing? A: mother B : father C: grand father A: mother B : father C: grand father

D: Kiran E: VikasD: Kiran E: Vikas


Do you think the dialogue is about Do you think the dialogue is about activities that are being done ?activities that are being done ?

Do the activities take place at the time Do the activities take place at the time of speaking ?of speaking ?


Mother Mother is readingis reading the newspaper. the newspaper. Father Father is walkingis walking up and down the up and down the

street.street.

Look at the dialogue again. Look at the dialogue again. Some of the words are underlined. Some of the words are underlined.

Do you know why they are Do you know why they are underlined?underlined?


Grand father Grand father is watchingis watching TV. TV. Kiran Kiran is studyingis studying for her physics test. for her physics test. I I am listeningam listening to music. to music.


Yes. They are verbs. You know that Yes. They are verbs. You know that these verbs denote current activities these verbs denote current activities and events.and events.


I I amam/We /We areare/ You / You areare/ He / He isis/ They / They are smiling.are smiling.

How do we form the present How do we form the present continuous ?continuous ?

We form the present continuous with We form the present continuous with the present tense of be (that is, the present tense of be (that is, am/is/are) and the – ing form of the am/is/are) and the – ing form of the main verb.main verb.


Bindu Bindu is workingis working in the garden in the garden now.now. We We are watchingare watching cricket cricket at the at the

moment.moment.

Meaning of the present continuousMeaning of the present continuousNow or repeatedly?Now or repeatedly?


To talk about something happening To talk about something happening now.now.

Words that show present time : now, Words that show present time : now, at the moment, at present, currentlyat the moment, at present, currently


The rich woman The rich woman is livingis living in a small in a small house in the village.house in the village.

Temporary or permanent ?Temporary or permanent ?

To describe a temporary situation. To describe a temporary situation. (It’s only temporary. Her doctor has (It’s only temporary. Her doctor has advised her rest for a month away from advised her rest for a month away from the city.)the city.)


Study the following sentences.Study the following sentences.

What are you doing this weekend?What are you doing this weekend? I am meeting Peter tomorrow.I am meeting Peter tomorrow. We are driving to Albany this weekend.We are driving to Albany this weekend.

Planned future eventsPlanned future events


My aunt is always quarrelling with her My aunt is always quarrelling with her neighbours.neighbours.

Too often or every time ?Too often or every time ?

It shows an emotion : It shows an emotion : irritationirritation ‘‘Always’ means too oftenAlways’ means too often


She is She is alwaysalways complaining about the food. ( complaining about the food. ()) She She alwaysalways is complaining about the food. (x) is complaining about the food. (x)

Note : with the present continuous

‘Always’ comes between be and the main verb.


State verbs not in the continuous.State verbs not in the continuous.Verb can show an action or state.Verb can show an action or state.

Action – something happeningAction – something happeningState – something that stays the same State – something that stays the same

wayway


agree, be, believe, belong, consist off, agree, be, believe, belong, consist off, contain, cost, depend, deserve, exist, contain, cost, depend, deserve, exist, forget, have, know, like, love, hate, forget, have, know, like, love, hate, matter, mean, need, prefer, remember matter, mean, need, prefer, remember seem, suppose, understand, want, seem, suppose, understand, want, wishwish


Nobody knows exactly how the Nobody knows exactly how the machine works. (machine works. ())

Nobody is knowing exactly how the Nobody is knowing exactly how the machine works. (x)machine works. (x)

This tonic contains 5 % alcohol. (This tonic contains 5 % alcohol. ()) This tonic is containing 5% alcohol.(x)This tonic is containing 5% alcohol.(x)


Same verb : state or action?Same verb : state or action?A verb can sometimes have two A verb can sometimes have two

meanings – one showing a state, and meanings – one showing a state, and the other an action.the other an action.


I think (=believe) you’re I think (=believe) you’re good. good.

I’m thinking of (= I’m thinking of (= considering) a holiday. considering) a holiday.

They have (= own) several They have (= own) several houses in the city.houses in the city.

state

action

state


They are having They are having (=organizing) a party (=organizing) a party tonight.tonight.

The film star comes from The film star comes from (=was born in) Shillong. (=was born in) Shillong.

She is coming She is coming (=travelling) from Chennai (=travelling) from Chennai after a shooting.after a shooting.

action

state

action


Activity 3Activity 3Say whether each of these sentences Say whether each of these sentences

is right or wrong. Put a (is right or wrong. Put a () mark ) mark against the sentence you think is right against the sentence you think is right and a (x) mark against the sentence and a (x) mark against the sentence

you think is wrong.you think is wrong.


I usually wash my own clothes.I usually wash my own clothes. Is the sun going round the earth ?Is the sun going round the earth ? Are you understanding my problem?Are you understanding my problem? We are having a party tonight.We are having a party tonight. I am thinking you are ill.I am thinking you are ill. Why are you always teasing me?Why are you always teasing me? The pudding is tasting nice.The pudding is tasting nice. I have a flat at Gandhinagar.I have a flat at Gandhinagar.


Key Answers :Key Answers :1) (1) ())2) (2) () ) 3) (3) () ) 4) (4) ())

See if you have answered correctly.See if you have answered correctly.


5) (5) () ) 6) (6) ())7) (7) () ) 8) (8) ())

Activity 4Activity 4Fill in the blanks in the dialogue Fill in the blanks in the dialogue with the groups of words in the with the groups of words in the

boxes.boxes.


(The phone rings. Susheela answers the (The phone rings. Susheela answers the call)call)

Susheela : Hello? Oh, Keerthi ! what’s Susheela : Hello? Oh, Keerthi ! what’s up?up?

Keerthi : Hi, Sushi ! what are you doing?Keerthi : Hi, Sushi ! what are you doing? Susheela : I…………….for a test?Susheela : I…………….for a test? Keerthi : What are Nita and Naveen Keerthi : What are Nita and Naveen

doing?doing?


Susheela : They ……………….TV. You Susheela : They ……………….TV. You know how crazy they are about know how crazy they are about antakshari.antakshari.

Keerthi : Yes I do. Are your parents at Keerthi : Yes I do. Are your parents at home?home?

Susheela : Yes, they ……………….to Susheela : Yes, they ……………….to each other while my mothereach other while my mother


…………………………………………a new shirt for varun. a new shirt for varun. He …………………in the gardern.He …………………in the gardern.

is playing, am studying, are talking, is stitching, are watching


Key AnswersKey Answers am studying, are watching, are am studying, are watching, are

talking, is stitching, Is playingtalking, is stitching, Is playing See if you have answered See if you have answered

correctly.correctly.


USE OF PRESENT TENSE

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