Questions tagged [present-tense]
The present tense is a grammatical tense that locates a situation or event in present time.
454
questions
0
votes
0answers
15 views
Perfect Tense Stative verbs
I'd like you to tell me which one of my following sentences is correct. I am not sure if I have to use the past simple or present perfect.
I'd add that I want to talk about something which is still ...
0
votes
0answers
21 views
The present perfect with distant actions in the past
The present perfect serves in different aspects and conveys different nuances two of which are these:
1) An action with a result in the present.
I have bought a new sweater. = I have a sweater now.
...
1
vote
1answer
20 views
It was I or it is I (or both since it is just a matter of perspectives)
This confusion has been haunting me since I was fifteen. Please consider the following:
A. It was I who killed your mom.
B. It is I who killed your mom.
Question: As far as I know, we can apply two ...
0
votes
0answers
11 views
The present vs the past (when it comes to a range of possibilities covering dead and living people and if the answer is someone who has died)
Suppose there is a list of people who have been named as the candidates for being the best president ever. On the list are the incumbent and some ex-presidents, some of whom have died. How would we ...
0
votes
0answers
23 views
“The solution would be that he go and talk.”
Just need to confirm if this construction is correct.
Would also really appreciate it if it could be broken down too from a grammatical perspective.
Many thanks!
-1
votes
0answers
21 views
Are these tenses grammatically correct?
I am trying to write something, but I am not sure whether these are grammatically correct. Is there any better way of saying these sentences?
English is not my first language so sometimes I kinda get ...
0
votes
0answers
22 views
When to use “the” [closed]
When I say :
For the women, by the women, is this correct? or should it be For women, by women?
2
votes
1answer
40 views
Should we always use the past if the person is no longer alive or when we refer to a past state
When I want to point out that the person is still regarded as the best student till now, tho they have been gone or they are not a student anymore, what tense should I use, the present or the past? ...
0
votes
0answers
31 views
Is try to vs is trying to
I was taking a quiz at Coursera and there was a sentence
What kitchen counter may be a better environment to help someone who is try to manage their weight?
I was confused ā shouldn't this be "is ...
0
votes
0answers
20 views
If Conditional with Present perfect
Someone has been searching for his spectacles for an hour. He is thinking that someone has hidden his spectacles and asks one of his friends whether he is hiding them or not. His friend says, " If I ...
0
votes
0answers
25 views
“used to be” with a fact [duplicate]
In the situation where we have:
It used to be thought that...
We use the past tense with the verb that follows since it's something in the past.
But what if the following is meant to be a fact?
I ...
1
vote
1answer
34 views
During with Present Perfect?
Can anyone make this clear for me? Look at this sentence:
-"I have been making this Tshirt during the confinement period"
Let's imagine that the confinement period is not over, and that the job with ...
0
votes
0answers
27 views
Present participle, gerund, or modifier
Which one of the following is right?
1) I am a doctor working in a hospital.
2) I am, a doctor, working in a hospital.
3) I am a doctor, working in a hospital.
Does "working" modify "doctor" in ...
0
votes
0answers
21 views
Present Perfect vs Past Simple - Distant Actions
If Iām talking about an action that happened in the distant past, I mean, an action that didnāt happen recently, I need to use the Simple Past? We canāt use the Present Perfect like that, can we?
0
votes
1answer
46 views
Present perfect with 'in the last 10 days'
I've read this sentence on TIME:
But dozens of new cases have been confirmed in the last week.
and months ago read this on a questionaire;
Which have you used in the past?
Is it OK to use the ...
0
votes
1answer
26 views
After and Before Clauses
guys. I would like to ask whether a clause should always be in the past if it follows another clause starting with after in the past. For instance: After she read the note, she understands/understood ...
0
votes
0answers
30 views
The present perfect in the main clause and in the subordinate clause
Share your view on this issue. I was exposed to the following concept:
1 He has had a bike in the last two months. (is wrong)
Instead, it should be
1a He had a bike in the last two months. (is ...
0
votes
0answers
39 views
Is this sentence a simple sentence or a compound sentence?
You can either come with me now or walk home.
Some people say it's compound because there are two clauses, but I think there aren't two clauses: there is one subject and a compound verb. Are there ...
0
votes
1answer
35 views
Wonder if she will come or if she comes?
My grammar book says that I should use present tense forms in conditional clauses with words like "if" to talk about the future.
We won't be able to go out if it rains. (NOT will rain)
Now I wonder ...
0
votes
0answers
30 views
Confusion in the selection of Verb/Auxiliary Verb
Below are the sentences 1) from scientific Journal 2) from a book. Since both are published text, however, my confined knowledge makes me ask this question. In 1) sentence two things are mentioned "...
1
vote
1answer
24 views
“I have been busy” past vs present
When someone asks me during a phone call " where have you been " then I answer as follow : I have been busy
1-Does it necessarily means that I was busy and I am still busy or could it means that I ...
0
votes
1answer
47 views
The posted video is/was about something. Is or Was?
I've been attending online classes (recorded) on a daily basis and once the uploaded video wasn't on the topic as per the timetable. I texted my teacher a question similar to this:
Shouldn't today's ...
-1
votes
2answers
62 views
“If she didn't win” or “If she doesn't win”? [closed]
Which one is correct?
If she didn't win an award, I'll riot.
or
If she doesn't win an award, I'll riot.
Can someone explain what are the difference?
0
votes
0answers
31 views
Consistency in Present Tense Sentences
Which is correct/more appropriate?
She has knocked over the vase before I can stop her.
OR
She knocks over the vase before I can stop her.
Thanks in advance for your help!
0
votes
0answers
21 views
“I am having” or “I have”?
I found this question in a test paper of an International English Competition. The task was to put the verb in brackets into the correct tense:
I can't come. I _______ (have) piano lessons at that ...
1
vote
0answers
25 views
Which one would fit better in this context between present continuous and present perfect continuous?
It is from official standard English test. The question is like below.
Fitness enthusiasts may feel that their workouts are no longer as effective as they were. When an individual ______________ for ...
0
votes
2answers
96 views
Present participle of want?
Most of the dictionaries online do not list 'wanting' as the present participle of 'want'. It just means 'lacking' in general it seems. However some dictionaries do and I am wondering if the 'wanting' ...
0
votes
0answers
30 views
Present Simple or Present Progressive?
I've got a sentence which claims to use the Present Simple. The source of the sentence is https://en.puzzle-english.com/directory/present-simple-markers where the use of the Present Simple is ...
-1
votes
1answer
34 views
What are the “fine” differences in these lines and how not to get confused when thinking about them?
I don't see a team without Messi that reaches the top 3 in the world.(Present)
or
I don't see a team without Messi that can reach the top 3 in the world.(Present with "can")
or
I don't see a team ...
1
vote
1answer
44 views
Any difference between these two (Present or Present Cont.)
"My husband will always invite his friends round for a drink just as I'm trying to put the kids to bed!"
or
"My husband will always invite his friends round for a drink just as I try to put the kids ...
0
votes
0answers
19 views
Confused between Simple Present and Present Progressive
I know that the Present Progressive is used for current events (the action is happening right now) and Simple Present is for express habits.
But, i'm still having trouble to distinguish them.
For ...
1
vote
0answers
18 views
Can you help with the difference in these past perfect tenses?
Example 1: 'Edison invented the light bulb. He had been working on it for years'.
Example 2: 'Edison invented the light bulb. It had taken him years'.
In example 1, the past perfect continuous makes ...
0
votes
0answers
20 views
Can you use Present Continuous for non-habitual actions with exact time?
I'm already aware of the difference between these two sentences:
I work for this company.
I'm working for this company.
However, I'm not very sure if this is the same for actions with ...
0
votes
1answer
44 views
Use present continuous instead of present simple in a sentence
I saw on my english book the exercise's sentence:
According to many, Google is changing our lives by broadening our knowledge of the world.
Is it also correct "changes" instead of "is changing" ...
0
votes
0answers
42 views
An author 'teaches' or 'taught' us in his book
Some time ago I posted the following sentence on an online forum:
Adam Smith, in his "Wealth of Nations", taught us that...
Now I am wondering whether I should have used the word 'teaches' rather ...
0
votes
0answers
33 views
Present Simple VS Pres. Continious
In this exercise I have to put verbs in correct tense (Present Simple VS Continous). I did not get why the correct form us "HE FINALLY CHOOSES", not he is finally choosing? It is not applied to the ...
0
votes
0answers
59 views
The article mentioned vs mentions
Currently, I am doing a case analysis of an article. The article's content uses past tense. I have to answer some questions in my case analysis, and the questions are asked in the present tense. I am ...
0
votes
1answer
42 views
Verb tense when comparing two different time frames in a sentence
I'm trying to contrast how I'm doing different things in two different times. My sentence is:
"Then and now I (am/was) doing different things."
Which form of "be" is correct in this case? Or are ...
1
vote
1answer
72 views
How can I express in a sentence something that happened in the past but that has an impact on the present?
Given that English is not my first language, I was wondering how to express a verb that started and ended in the past but that has a repercussion in the present moment...
Is it correct to say āspent ...
-1
votes
1answer
163 views
I have lunch at 1 pm [duplicate]
can anyone please explain me is it correct to say "I have lunch at 1 pm". My doubt is if it is correct then how can we use a specific time expression with present perfect tense? If it is wrong to say "...
0
votes
1answer
53 views
Actions That Terminate At Present Moment
Which tense should I use for actions which terminate exactly at the present time and the final point of the action is the present moment ? Can present perfect be used for this type of situation?
Let'...
21
votes
5answers
7k views
“I am tired and doing my homework.” Is it grammatically correct?
Is the sentence in the title absolutely grammatically correct? I recently had an argument with a fellow student, and he said that the sentence is incorrect. I do not think he is right, because I saw ...
1
vote
2answers
45 views
What role is the verb in the sentence?
The sentence is: "When a static or dynamic function call FC is evaluated with respect to a static context SC and a dynamic context DC, the result is obtained as follows.". This sentence is quoted from ...
0
votes
0answers
18 views
Time of occurrence: “He looks” and “He is looking” [duplicate]
I'd like to ask you to consider my guesses as to the meaning of these sentences:
"He looks at the city" -- can happen not only now, but at any time.
"He's looking at the city" -- happening right now.
...
0
votes
1answer
119 views
Is “to be interested” an active or passive voice?
I am learning English using a language service (InSpeak.ru). Recently, I encountered the figure of speech
to be interested
For example:
I am interested in sports.
Could you please tell me if ...
0
votes
0answers
12 views
Present simple in the future tense [duplicate]
I am confused about the usage of the present simple in the future tense. Doesn't it refer only to schedules? The following example deviates from this rule.
Weāre on holiday in Paris next week. (Taken ...
0
votes
1answer
71 views
My daughter sits/ is sitting/ will sit for hours watchingTV
My daughter is sitting for hours watching TV
My daughter sits for hours watching TV.
My daughter will sit for hours watching TV.
From the context it seems that the ...
0
votes
1answer
98 views
Conditional: if verb be + adjective, is it referred to the past?
Sentences:
Terms of a competition (2018): nothing.
Terms of a competition (2019): If the athlete is awarded, he will not be considered for future competitions.
For example: if I was awarded in ...
1
vote
2answers
148 views
Present tense of “unassigned”?
Why is there no present tense of unassigned? We have assign and assigned, so why is unassign not a proper word when we have unassigned?
0
votes
1answer
49 views
Grammar present perfect past perfect
This is kind of confusing for me. Would be happy to get the answer and find out the right way of using these constructions:)
Is this correct and if not how I can use present and past perfect in one ...
