Now in English

In the article «How many times in the English language,» we decided that the principal will assume the twelve, four in each time interval (future, present and past). As we remember, when choosing the necessary time in the English language should also take into account completeness of the action or proceeding. The same article is the first in the series devoted to the English language. We’ll talk more about each of them, and some are said to analyze «brick by brick». Let’s start with this time in English (Present Tense).

How to express the moment in English?

Currently, in the English language can be expressed by the following four times: the present simple (Present Indefinite / Simple), this long (Present Continuous / Progressive), present perfect (Present Perfect) and present a completely-long (Present Perfect Continuous / Progressive). Why do so many varieties of them now in English? As already noted, native speakers is not only important time period moving action, but its process and outcome. This also applies to future and past tenses. Let’s talk briefly about the grammatical categories presented.

The simplest of these now in English — Present Simple. This time is not interested in the character of the action. Use the time when they want to transfer the ordinary, everyday, habitual actions, which are not tied to the moment of speaking. This also we assign permanent phenomena, laws of nature, scientific findings, facts, observations, instructions, directions, etc. With this date in English passed the feelings and emotions of people. If we want something to tell (a story, anecdote, etc.) and aim to present the event to more realistic interlocutor, choose Present Simple.

If we are talking about grammatical features of the system currently in English, it should be noted that the Present Simple is also required under the following conditions:

• in a bid to have the adverb always, usually, often, seldom, sometimes, never;
• This conditional offer on if, when, after, before, as soon as, until;
• verbs in a sentence of thought and sensory perception, which is not used in the Present Continuous (desire, feel, like, love, know, remember, etc.).

Education of all forms of this time is represented in the article «Time Present Simple».

They teach children every summer. — They teach children every summer.

Mike plays basketball twice a week. — Mike plays basketball twice a week.

Cats eat mice. — Cats eat mice.

Side by side with the previous time, is now a long — Present Continuous. The main scope of its use are proposals, actions which are relevant to a specific point. This time we use, if we have a long (unfinished) action, and the action is happening in the moment of speaking. Additional markers that time may be an adverb such as now, at this moment, but it is not required. Present Continuous can express a long-term effect, what is happening in real time. With this far in the English language can be expressed in the future if the action has been scheduled.

I am writing this article now. — I’m writing this article.

What time is he coming tomorrow? — What time did he come tomorrow?

The name of the Present Perfect is translated as the present perfect, but it does not always reflect the action now in English. The main reason for the use of this time is an action that has already happened at the time of the speech, but has a direct relation to it. That is the main difference this time from the Past Simple (expresses the past, unrelated to the present). Translate Present Perfect in case you need to past tense, although the meaning of this time is the present. Present Perfect use in the case of the action that happened in the recent past (for example, this morning, and the day is not over yet). Probably, you will find in these proposals dialects already, yet, just a word or adverbial today, this week, this month, this year, etc. In addition, the present perfect tense verbs used with that can not be employed in the present quite a long-time.

I am not thirsty, I have just drunk a glass of juice. — I do not want to drink. I just drank a glass of juice.

Present Perfect Continuous Present Continuous different from that used in the event that long-term effect, which began in the past, continues today, now. You will always find in the proposals this time period, the duration of action and its sequel. Possible designation of the time — for a month, for an hour, since yesterday, since 8 o’clock. If you do not know how long the action takes place, feel free to take Present Continuous.

We have been working here since 1989. — We have been working here since 1989.

This topic is closely related to the other as described in the articles that need to pay attention:

• «Time Present Simple»
• «Time Present Continuous»
• «Time Present Perfect (Present Perfect Time)»
• «Time Present Perfect Continuous»

After reading them, we recommend to pass the following test: «test group times Present».

 

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Grammar