To many English learners, tense is always a hurdle which they find difficult to get over. Over years and years of English learning, they have been taught all these signal words as a way to identify which tense should be used. But then as they open a newspaper, a magazine, or a story, they are frustrated to notice that the reality of how tense is used is completely different from what have been taught in textbooks. As mentioned previously, tense is not a simple system anchored in the concept of time and verbs. It is much more complex in meaning and versatile in usage. One of the issues among English learners is differing Present Simple from Present Continuous / Present Progressive. In this blogpost, we are going to talk about what they are and what meanings they convey.
What does the word ‘Present’ mean in English?
In grammar, the concept of ‘presentness’ does not purely equate to ‘now’ or ‘present time’. Tense is a complex interpersonal system in grammar which indicates an idea of closeness. In other words, we use present tense because the event is close to the speaker’s ‘now’. It is also close to the reality and very likely the people we are talking to are close to us too!
Therefore, present tense can convey a complex idea of timelessness, instantaneity, and social intimacy. In the grammatical system of Present Tense, there are 4 aspects to indicate whether the processes are one-off, ongoing, or complete. Simple and Continuous are two of them.
How to use Present Simple?
Present Simple conveys an idea of timelessness and instantaneity. Therefore, the processes for which we use Present Simple are usually related to immediate state, habitual actions, or timeless and important facts. Look at the following examples:
- The earth orbits the sun.
- Peter goes swimming every Friday.
- Jasmine is a primary 2 student.
- You call the police!
In example (1), we talk about a fact which does not change over time (timelessness)
In example (2), we talk about habitual actions.
In example (3), we talk about the state of a person.
In example (4), we emphasize an idea of immediacy and urgency.
How to use Present Continuous?
Present Continuous conveys an idea of temporariness and incompleteness. Therefore, the processes for which we use Present Continuous are usually unfinished ongoing actions and do not usually last forever. Look at the following examples:
- Peter is swimming at this moment.
- Look! Jasmine is sitting over there!
- Thomas is always procrastinating.
In example (1), we talk about on-going processes which happen at the speaker’s now (temporariness).
In example (2), we talk about a process which is restricted to the speaker’s ‘present time’ (not timeless).
In example (3), we complain about a process which is happening at the speaker’s ‘now’.
Can we use Present Tenses to talk about the future?
If we want to convey a timeless idea and close the space for discussion or negotiation, we use Present Simple to talk about the future. For example, we say ‘The library opens at 9:00 next Monday’. The opening hour is decided by the government. It is something factual which does not have any space for changes or discussion, thus using Present Simple. If we use will open, it opens a space for discussion and tells the audience that the opening hour may be subject to changes.
We use Present Continuous to talk about the future if we want to talk about processes / actions which are not permanent and have been planned and are very likely to happen at a given future time. For example, we say ‘We are going to the cinema next week’. It is a temporary action that has been planned and is very likely to occur in the future.
Can we use Present Tenses to talk about the past?
Present Simple conveys an idea of being timeless, instant, immediate, and intimate. Therefore, we tend to use present tenses for stylistic purposes even if we are talking about the past. Look at the following examples:
- You know what, my Dad had a go with me yesterday. He says I’m not doing my homework and I’m not helping with household chores at all, and I say that’s not the case! (We use Present Tenses to talk about a past conversation to create dramatic effect of immediacy)
- The WWI starts in 1914 and ends in 1918. (In formal writing, we use Present Tense to talk about important historical events)
- Prime Minister resigns. (We use Present Simple in headlines for conciseness and creation of a sense of happening now / relevance to the present)
Common mistakes of using Present Simple
Subject-verb Agreement could be daunting to beginners of English learning. We add -s / -es to the verb in third-person singular. Look at the following examples.
- She denies the accusation.
- Amy does not like table tennis.
Common mistakes of using Present Continuous
Not all processes can take a Present Continuous Tense. Stative Verbs which are used to talk about feelings, state and perceptions do not usually use Present Continuous. Look at the following common mistakes.
(1) I am being a Primary 2 student.
(2) I am believing in Christianity.
(3) I am seeming to have fallen in love with you.
In the examples above, Present Simple should be used because they do not a meaning of progressiveness.
Present Tenses and Present Continuous could pose some issues to English learners as some languages do not contain Progressive tenses (such as French and German). Some languages like Chinese do not indicate the idea of progressiveness via inflections (i.e. adding the word-ending -ing). Therefore, students should be introduced the meaning and form of these tenses in order not to create misunderstanding and communication breakdown.