Simple Present Tense Present Progressive Tense Present Perfect Tense

2. Kinds and Usage of Tenses

In her book ‘Understanding and Using English Grammar” Betty Schrampfer Azar divides tenses into: present, past and future. 21 Each of tenses has four forms as shown at the table below. Present Tense Past Tense Future Tense Simple present Simple past Simple future Present progressive Past progressive Future progressive Present perfect Past perfect Future perfect Present perfect progressive Past perfect progressive Future perfect progressive

a. Simple Present Tense

The Simple present tense says that something was true in the past, is true in the present, and will be true in the future general statements of fact. It also used to express habitual or everyday activity. 22 The similar idea comes from Wren and Martin, they say that the simple present is used to express a habitual action and general truths. 23 21 Betty Schrampfer Azar, Understanding and Using English Grammar New Jersey: Prentice Hall Regents, 1989 p. 6-7 22 Ibid., p. 11 23 Wren and Martin, High School English Grammar and Composition New Delhi: S. Chand Company Ltd, 2005 p. 67 Example; - He drinks tea every morning. This sentence indicates Habitual Action or everyday activity - The sun rises in the east. This sentence indicates General truth or general statement. - The world is round. This sentence indicates General truth or general statement.

b. Present Progressive Tense

The Present progressive continuous tense is called the real present in the sense that it can be demonstrated; seen, etc. 24 This tense expresses an activity that is in progress at the moment of speaking. It began in the recent past, is continuing at present, and will probably end at some point in the future. 25 It is also used for an action that has already been arranged to take place in the near future. 26 Example; - John and Mary are talking on the phone - Be quite The baby is sleeping now - I am going to the cinema tonight. 24 Nasrun Mahmud, English for Muslim University Students Jakarta: Pusat Bahasa dan Budaya Universitas Islam Negeri Jakarta, 2003 p. 83 25 Betty Schrampfer Azar, Loc., Cit. 26 Wren and Martin, Op., Cit. P. 68

c. Present Perfect Tense

The Present perfect expresses the idea that something happened or never happened before now, at an unspecified time in the past. The exact time it happened is not important. It also expresses the repetition of an activity before now. It also, when used with for and since, expresses a situation that began in the past and continuous to the present. 27 The present perfect is used to indicate an action that happened at an indefinite time in the past. It also indicates an action that happened more than once in the past. It also indicates an action that began in the past and is still occurring in the present. 28 Example; - I have already seen that movie. - We have had four tests so far this semester - I have been here since seven o’clock. - I have known him for many years.

d. Present Perfect Progressive Tense