Present Tense THE SIXTEEN TENSES

3. THE SIXTEEN TENSES

As it has been mentioned above that tense means time, English Language has 16 different tenses. These 16 tenses are different to one another. The differences happened in the forms of the used verbs and the time of verbs action takes place. In other words, we may say that an English verb will be vary to each usages. The usages of those 16 tenses and the form of the verb can be seen in these following sentences.

3.1 Present Tense

In a particular time the Simple Present Tense shows clearly that in English tense is not the same as time. The Simple Present Tense is not usually used to describe activities and state which are generally and universally true. Simple Present Tense is the tense for a description, definition and statement of general truth. Simple Present Tense extends from past time, to the present and into the future. Durative verbs, which shows state through time, are verbs like, understand and be. Sometimes Simple Present Tense is also called the present habitual action. These are repeated again and again through time. For example, the English teacher teaches English. Means that the English teacher does the work of teaching began in the past, in the present and in the future. These actions are called general truth. Other example for the general truth is The sun rises in the east. Adverbs of frequency are common time markers in the Simple Present Tense. They tell how often an action is repeated. Example: 1 People dont always put their garbage in the garbage can. Universitas Sumatera Utara 2 A good student usually submits his or her homework on time. 3 In Indonesia, rain often falls in September, October, November and December. 4 I sometimes go to school very late. 5 My friend and I occasionally go to see movies in the town. 6 seldom visit the island of Ball though many people do. 7 We rarely go to school at the beginning of fasting month. 8 Indonesian students never go to school in the date of Idul Fitri. Simple Present Tense is used in English to express a variety of meanings, though not so many as forms somewhat similar in other languages. Most importantly, it is seldom used in English for specific actions occurring at the present moment. Example : 9 The sun rises in the east and sets in the west 10 Indonesian people eat rice. 11 Birds fly. 12 Babies cry. 13 Western people eat bread. 14 Teachers teach. 15 Nurses nurse. 16 The lady passes the salt to her friend. Universitas Sumatera Utara The activities have existed before and will probably continue to exist after, the moment of speaking, but the beginning and the ending are unknown or unimportant. Example: 17 She teaches English. 18 The nurses nurse. 19 Doctors help their patients. 20 He sells and buys books. 21 You and I practice playing tennis every Sunday morning. The Simple Present Tense express activities that are relatively permanent Example: 22 The University of North Sumatera Is in the city of Medan. 23 The sun sets in the west The Simple Present Tense expresses activities which will take place in future time. Example: 24 The entertainment begins at 10. a.m. tomorrow. 25 The guest arrives at 3.00p.m. 26 The driver pushes the horn on his car. 27 The goal keeper catches the ball. 28 The government touches all of its society. 29 My friend studies mathematics. 30 The maid does the work by herself. Universitas Sumatera Utara 31 She goes to school everyday. Some examples of sentence using affixation are as follows: 32 We usually have our lunch at two p.m. 33 The Indonesian students do not go to school every Sunday. 34 Can a baby bird fly? 35 Mustn’t a Moslem pray Jive times in a day. Simple Present Tense may mean to feel something. Example: 36 I smell something nice. 37 I do not like swimming. Simple Present Tense which shows habit. Example: 38 Dane studies English every day. Simple Present Tense which states an event with reference to the future. Example: 39 The plane leaves tomorrow morning. Simple Present Tense which states a command or request. Example: 40 Please go away. Simple Present Tense means as a forbidden or warn. Example: 41 Dont shout Simple Present Tense that explains a present event like in a demonstration. Universitas Sumatera Utara Example: 42 First of all, take a spoonful of sugar, put it in a glass, then take a glass of hot water. The journalist of the Jakarta Post newspaper to tell the news about the fifty- one Egyptians were killed uses eighteen times of the present tense. For examples: Mursi is believed, to be held, to rise up, they accuse, coup to topple, to form, to call for Mursi, it leaves the Arab, the political divide, economic crisis deepens, Footage broadcast, to throw, to traffic, which is vital, to give the new authorities, what is known, the military can ill, and cities across the country. 3.2 Present Continuous Tense In The Progressive Present Tense, the action which is in progress at the moment of speaking will continue into the future. However, the action is durative, that is after lasting for a period of time, sooner or later, the action will end. For instance, Jack is playing the piano means the verb playing is in the in the progress at the moment of speaking and be sure that the action is going to be ended although the speakers has not known the exact time of the activity lasting yet. Example in four kinds of sentences. + They are watching the T. V. - He is not reading the magazine. ? Is the woman playing the guitar ? - ? Arent we listening to the radio ? Universitas Sumatera Utara Use of the Present Continuous Tense 1. To state an activity or event which is happening right now. Example : I am drinking now. 2. To state an activity or event which is happening now when another activity or event occurred. Example : Jim is talking to someone when I meet him.

3. To state a plan which will be executed in the future.