Questions tagged [present-tense]
Present Tense uses the base form of a verb to describe current actions, events and states-of-being. Ex: I answer to no one.
917
questions
0
votes
1
answer
55
views
"Shop has been open all day/the whole day" " I have been awake all day/the whole day"
"Shop has been open all day/ the whole day (for the whole day).Does it mean shop is still open or shop has recently closed?
"I have been awake all day/the whole day(for the whole day)" ...
- 20.9k
1
vote
1
answer
92
views
Present for a habit
I am asking you to sell me this record and I ask you this every year until you accept.
I am asking you to sell me this record and I will be asking you this every year until you accept .
I think both ...
- 7,693
0
votes
1
answer
31
views
past tense vs present
Why in this sentence "called" has been used instead of "call"? (I think it should be "call")
Someone close to you will try to tell you what to do, but it’s time you ...
1
vote
3
answers
24k
views
"is changed" vs "has changed"
In the following podcast at 1:57 the reporter appears to say: "How is your life changed in the last few years?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DFyqiS-ZCY#t=126
I'd like to understand why not "has ...
- 2,241
1
vote
2
answers
840
views
Can we use the past tense followed by present tense to describe videos or movies we've seen before?
For example:This video talks about the importance of giving affection to your pets, they were mentioning how you should make enough time for your pets to ensure their happiness in the long run, it was ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
2
answers
32
views
Ok to use simple present tense after now? | "Now, we look at one more."
A British speaker, who teaches English on youtube, is telling about some usages for socializing. He gives examples, tells about differences, etc. Before he moves on to another one, he says:
"Now, ...
- 8,101
3
votes
2
answers
61
views
The difference from the present tense and the present-perfect tense in an adverb clause
I learnt at school that you use the present tense in an adverb clause even if you mention the future, but I often encounter adverb clauses with the present-perfect tense. I would like to know the ...
CommunityBot
- 1
5
votes
3
answers
65k
views
"We plan" versus "we are planning"
Is there a semantic difference between the following two sentences?
In the future, we are planning to migrate our tool to the Z3 solver.
In the future, we plan to migrate our tool to the Z3 ...
- 11
2
votes
1
answer
309
views
She has taught English for five years
Is the verb "teach" used like the verbs "live", "work" and "study" which can be used in both the present perfect and the progressive without any change of ...
- 2,241
0
votes
1
answer
1k
views
"ing"-form after "while" / "during" question
I was wondering - when using "while" usually the "ing" form of a verb follows but what if the sentence continues?
Example:
While his friends are enjoying (1. ing) their vacation at the beach he ...
CommunityBot
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
37
views
What is the tense of this word and why?
The sentence:
You see, I have dumped my iPhone and bought myself an old-style, internet-free dumb phone (or “feature phone”, as the new branding would call it).
What is the tense of the word "...
CommunityBot
- 1
2
votes
2
answers
130
views
Is “Are they planning to fly to New York? Is it next week?” right to use the continuous present followed immediately by the simple present?
Please consider:
Are they planning to fly to New York? Is it next week?
Why is that combination of present tense forms used to indicate a future event, first the continuous one and then the the ...
- 79
0
votes
2
answers
27
views
How to use if clause with present perfect
If you have drunk too much milk, you might have been taller.
Is this sentence grammatically correct?
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
1k
views
what do you do these days or what are you doing these days
I haven't seen my friend for a year. When I stumble on him I say
(1)"what are you doing these days" and it's apparently the default choice.
But what if I said: (2) "what do you do these ...
0
votes
1
answer
76
views
"Many English words ARE derived from French." VS "Many English words WERE derived from French." [closed]
In my native language, the translation of the following a- and b-variants has the same meaning.
Tell me please whether they have difference in English or not.
britannica.com:
(1a) Many English words ...
- 133k
1
vote
1
answer
182
views
"I (will) send the book on Monday so you (will) get it on Tuesday."
my sentences:
(1) I will send the book on Monday so you will get it on Tuesday.
(2) I will send the book on Monday so you get it on Tuesday.
(3) I send the book on Monday so you will get it on Tuesday....
CommunityBot
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
56
views
By the time and When
By the time I arrived at the scene, the meeting had been over.
When I arrived at the scene, the meeting had been over.
Are the two sentences correct?
CommunityBot
- 1
2
votes
2
answers
63
views
Place of a time expression in a negative sentence
Is it possible to put the time expressions before or after the negative word?
Or is there only one way?
For example :
The students usually don't like eating fish
The students don't usually like eating ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
64
views
rule about using present perfect with present simple
I can't find on internet the rule.
To you native speakers, if the second part of the sentence uses present simple, does it involve using the present perfect tense in the first part because of the ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
2
answers
51
views
I am requesting or I request Mr David to come on / up to the stage. Which expression is correct in the native context?
While inviting the guests to the stage, In India, it is usually said that now I request Mr David to come on to the stage. Some professors I know say that it should be come up to the stage.
My point is ...
- 4,743
1
vote
2
answers
136
views
"So that he will do" (future tense) or "so that he does" (present tense)
You must be sure to tell him this so that he will do it.
You must be sure to tell him this so that he does it.
Do these two sentences mean same?
I am getting problem use of tenses after so that or ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
80
views
Use of right tense
Can we say:
Now it's 05:05 pm. We haven't finished the work yet when they have already arrived.
Is it a correct sentence? Is there any problem about it?
CommunityBot
- 1
1
vote
2
answers
52
views
How does the present perfect link the present with the past?
How can I determine the meaning of a sentence written in the present perfect?
For example,
I have played football for the national team.
Does this sentence necessarily imply that I am still playing ...
CommunityBot
- 1
1
vote
2
answers
48
views
Past and present in one sentence
Is it correct to use both past and present tenses in sentences where experiments lead to the discovery of general truth about smth, like this:
"Experiments demonstrated that in this solution ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
937
views
Are these sentences correct to say "I don't understand what she said" and "I don't understand what she asked"?
Suppose I'm talking with someone and they say/ask something that I don't get it. Can I use the following sentences?
"I don't understand what she said"
"I don't understand what she ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
31
views
Use of tense in a completed project description
I am preparing a project portfolio for a job application in which I describe some of my completed projects in my current role. While the software is still in use today, the projects themselves are ...
- 17.3k
1
vote
1
answer
56
views
present vs past tense
I told her to light the lamp when it gets dark.
I told her to light the lamp when it got dark.
Which sentence is correct? If both are correct then what is the difference in meaning between them and ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
78
views
the present tense referring to the future in subordinate clauses
"If she breaks that wall, she will have to pay."
"Go to the first man that rings the bell."
I know that the sentences above are correct in the present tense of the subordinate ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
2
answers
87
views
Is it okay to use simple past and simple present in the same sentence?
If I am trying to describe my experience today, which one of these is correct?
Every time I thought I got it, every time I made it to the point where I was sure I understood it, the market proves me ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
105
views
Present Progressive or Simple Present
I have a question about using present tenses;
would it be said that:
Robots are being developed
Robots are developed
I would say it is present progressive because the process is not ...
CommunityBot
- 1
3
votes
1
answer
100
views
Present Continuous expressing future
One of my grammar books says:
The future use of the present progressive is limited to actions brought about by human endeavour.
Therefore sentences such as "It's raining tomorrow" or "...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
93
views
Subjunctive mood and conditional
I've seen read a lil bit about subjunctive mood. And the present subjunctive mood works like this: am -> be "I demand that I be available".
I often see wishes like that: "I wish, I ...
CommunityBot
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
85
views
What are the differences between these sentences? (to do / to have done)
Do you feel any difference between these two in each pair?
(1)
(a) Maria was happy to have passed the exam.
(b) Maria was happy to pass the exam.
(2)
(a) Maria is happy to have passed the exam.
(b) ...
CommunityBot
- 1
1
vote
2
answers
1k
views
What is the use of the Present Simple Tense in this sentence "I think he is at home" & "I think chocolate is great"?
Ok, image there is a situation like this:
Mary: Where is Bob?
Bod: I think he is at home.
According to this website, there are 4 present uses of present simple tense.
1: We use the present ...
- 2,241
2
votes
2
answers
225
views
Present Simple/Continuous
Can we use both present simple and continuous in this sentence?
I've got a high temperature. I think i am coming/come down with a flu.
Continuous - when we consider this to be as a process -> we ...
- 2,241
3
votes
1
answer
279
views
usage of present perfect tense
My question is about the use of present perfect tense. To my knowledge this tense is used for the actions that have started in the past and continues up until now. I have questions about different ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
41
views
"it turns out" in the narration of a past event
Very often I see "it turns out" used in the description of a past event. One veteran user said "it turns out" is okay when we are describing a recent event. But can't it be used ...
CommunityBot
- 1
4
votes
4
answers
737
views
Confusion in tenses
Well, I was learning present perfect tenses today and I am confused between present perfect and present perfect continuous. I have grasped majority of the uses of these sentences but I am confused ...
- 2,241
1
vote
1
answer
257
views
Usage of present tense in a past tense sentence
I read that if sentence is in past tense then all clauses of the sentence should be in past, except if it is a universal truth.
Now, I want to create a sentence and situation is this - I watched ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
153
views
what are the appropriate tense forms to be used in these sentences and why?
She promised me that she (to ring up) me as soon as she (to return) from London.
She (to tell) me that the plane (to take off) at exactly 5 o'clock.
I learned that she (to get) a parcel from her ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
169
views
Why does present perfect even exist?
Woman: You already did me.
Man: That’s what she said.
It has been taken from the TV show "The Office":
https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/66c0aa66-00e0-4512-8845-52abaac9ffb0
Why is she using ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
130
views
Is "studying" correct in "The students studying the hardest…"?
I am an ESL teacher online and had this question from a student. She said she researched it and found one grammar site that said it was correct.
The students studying the hardest have the best ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
42
views
Can we use Present Perfect Tense for actions that happened years ago, but I want the listener to focus on the result that is still relevant?
Can we use Present Perfect Tense for actions that happened years ago, but I want the listener to focus on the result that is still relevant?
for the context, let’s say, I created a website a year ago....
- 649
1
vote
1
answer
48
views
Why present simple for a temporary state
Many students are not going to school at the moment . They are practising and studying at in their houses . Their teachers send them videos and activities every day.
Why "send" is not ...
- 4,743
0
votes
1
answer
49
views
Has been vs has gone vs went
An example from Burlington English - Choose the correct answer
He has been/ has gone to the village to see his grandmother.
The correct answer is 'has gone.'
Why is 'has been' incorrect here ?
I know ...
- 1,371
1
vote
1
answer
54
views
Using present tense with dates
I am translating an historical text with really simple language (from French into English) and they used the present tense, that I'd like to keep. But as I started translating I realised that I wasn't ...
1
vote
1
answer
112
views
"He usually goes to school on time" or "He goes to school usually on time."
Which is the correct Sentence?
a) "He usually goes to school on time"
or
b) "He goes to school usually on time."
- 2,672
0
votes
3
answers
94
views
Can you say someone "never [VERB]s" if they used to in the past?
If you say "never swears" as an example, can this include if someone has done it in the past but doesn’t do it consistently nor in recent time?
CommunityBot
- 1
3
votes
4
answers
315
views
"were" used as a subjunctive is present or past?
Given the 2 examples below:
I wish you were here now
If he were in the situation that you've been 2 weeks ago, we wouldn't have bothered about it now
The word 'were' is used as a subjunctive and my ...
CommunityBot
- 1
2
votes
2
answers
146
views
Why is present tense used on past hobby
Gomez’s grandfather paints very well too but cannot do so now.
Why is “paints” used here and not painted? I thought it should be painted as the grandfather could not do it now. I thought his ability ...
- 228k