Present Tense & Its Forms – Grammar for SSC & Banking

A set of vocabulary flashcards summarizing definitions, structures, and key time indicators for the present tense and its four forms, as well as related grammatical concepts.

Present Tense

Verb tense that expresses actions or states occurring now or linked to the present time frame.

Past Tense

Verb tense used for actions or states that were completed before the present moment.

Future Tense

Verb tense describing actions or states that will occur after the present moment.

Simple Present Tense

Present form for universal truths, habitual or routine actions. Structure: Subject + V1 (+s/es) + object.

Present Continuous (Present Progressive)

Tense for actions happening right now, ongoing longer-term activities, or fixed future plans. Structure: Subject + is/am/are + V1-ing + object.

Present Perfect Tense

Tense showing an action that started in the past and has just finished or still affects the present. Structure: Subject + has/have + V3 + object.

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Tense emphasizing the duration of an action that began in the past and continues to now. Structure: Subject + has/have + been + V1-ing + object.

Universal Truth

Statement that is always valid (e.g., “The Earth revolves around the sun”) and is expressed in the Simple Present.

Habitual Action

Action done regularly (e.g., daily routines) that is stated in the Simple Present.

Time Indicators – Simple Present

Words such as every day, always, often, usually, seldom that signal the Simple Present tense.

Time Indicators – Present Continuous

Words like now, right now, at the moment that hint at the Present Continuous tense.

Time Indicators – Present Perfect

Adverbs such as just, yet, already, ever, never, so far, up to now, recently that signal the Present Perfect tense.

Time Indicators – Present Perfect Continuous

Prepositions for and since used with a duration (e.g., ‘for 10 years’, ‘since last night’) to show Present Perfect Continuous.

Simple Present – Affirmative Formula

Subject + V1 (+s/es) + object (e.g., ‘She plays keyboard.’)

Simple Present – Negative Formula

Subject + do/does + not + V1 + object (e.g., ‘They do not play.’)

Simple Present – Interrogative Formula

Do/Does + subject + V1 + object? (e.g., ‘Does he play?’)

Present Continuous – Interrogative Formula

Am/Is/Are + subject + V1-ing + object? (e.g., ‘Are they playing hockey?’)