• The word “Tense” is derived from the latin word

“Tempus” which means time.

Definition of Tense:
Tense is the form in which a verb is used to express
when an action is, was, or will be performed.
Based on time frame, that is when the action is taking
place, we can divide or categorize tense into three types-

• Present Tense
• Past Tense
• Future Tense
Since we are doing a microteaching class, our focus is on
the basics on just one type of tense and that is present
tense.
Definition of Present Tense:
The tense which expresses an unchanging, repeated or
reoccurring action or situation that exists only now. It
can also represent a widespread truth.
Like Past and Future Tense, Present Tense also
categorized in four types.

• Present Indefinite Tense

• Present Continuous Tense
• Present Perfect Tense
• Present Perfect Continuous Tense
Present Indefinite Tense:
The tense where verb suggests the action which takes
place always, in habitual or regular basis, widespread
truth, historical truth, and near future.

Structure: Subject + Verb (s/es) + Object (if any) + Extension (if any)

Example:

I go to school.
S V Object
She dances.
S V (s)
Karim goes to school every day.
S V (es) Object extension
 Subject Verb Object Extension

• Habitual Mother cooks rice thrice a day.

• Widespread truth The moon gives us light.

• Historical truth Akbar ascends the throne at the age of 12.

• Near future The school opens tomorrow.

• For Interrogative and Negative sentence in Present

Indefinite Tense, we use do/does depending on the
person.
Present Continuous Tense:
The tense where verb suggests the action which is
currently running.

Structure: Subject + ‘be’ verb (am/is/are) + (main verb + ing) + Object

Example:

He is coming tomorrow. (near future)

S “be” verb V+ing Object
I am reading in this school. (something ongoing)
S “be” verb V+ing Object
They are playing football like old days. (habitual)
S “be” verb V+ing Object
Is it correct? “I am seeing a bird.”
Structure wise: Yes
Verbs of Perception wise: No
Definition of Verbs of Perception:
The verbs which are used to express our feeling of something
through our five senses are called verbs of perception.

When they are used to mean something in a normal or

general way, there would be no continuous tense of them.

Correct. I see a bird

Present Perfect Tense:
A work that is just finished but the result of it is still present, in such
case we see present perfect tense of the verb.
For example: It has rained.

Structure: Subject + Auxiliary Verb (have/has) + Main Verb’s Past Participle + Object

Some Cases where present perfect tense takes place:

1. Just finished: He has just finished it.

2. A work done long ago but can be done again: He has written a
number of novels.
3. With lately, recently: My father has been transferred to Khulna
Recently
4. With ever, never, always, occasionally, often: I have seen it often.
5. With for and since: I have lived here for ten years.
Present Perfect Continuous Tense:
A work started in the past and still continuing- in such cases we get
verb’s present perfect continuous tense.

Structure:
When For,

Subject + Auxiliary Verb (have /has) + been + (Main Verb + ing) + Object + for + period

When Since,

Subject + Auxiliary Verb (have /has) + been + (Main Verb + ing) + Object + since + point
in time

Example:

It has been raining for two hours.

He has been living here since 1990.