Lesson: Our Gift to You Is the Present … Tense

Verbs are some of the most dynamic words in any language. They can change in many different ways based on a variety of factors. One of the most common causes of verb variation is the use of different verb tenses. While there are several tenses in the English language and all of them make for good grammar lesson plans, this particular lesson plan will focus on the present tense. To be more specific, we’ll be focusing on two areas of present tense – simple present and present continuous.

Webpage to Discuss in Class

EnglishPage.com: Simple Present

On this simple present tense discussion page, you’ll learn that the simple present tense can be used for an action that’s currently taking place, one that happens on a regular basis, or one that more or less never stops. It can also, as English Page points out, be used to describe an action that somebody either does not do or forgets to do.

Usually, verbs in the simple perfect will be present in their root form (such as jump, eat, sleep, move), though the exception to this is when speaking in the third person (singular). In this case, the verb will end with either –s or –es. Here are some examples:

• I make pies
• Joe makes  pies
• Joe and Jill make pies.

There are some cases where the simple present doesn’t quite work this way though. The site points out that “to be” verbs are the most common case of this. Let’s take a look at this in action:

• I am ready
• You are ready
• He is  ready

Another case in which the simple present can be used is when someone is issuing a statement that they believe to be true. In the same way, it can be used when making generalizations.

• I can run faster than my brother.
• Dogs like to eat steak.
• He sleeps too much.

The site goes on to say that an additional case in which the present simple is applied is when one is discussing events that are to take place in the near future.

• The train arrives at the station at 4:30
• The funeral starts at 7pm.
• The van stops running at noon.
• You leave work in one hour.

One more use for the present simple, according to English Page, is when one is saying that something is or isn’t currently happening. It explains that this can only be done through the use of non-continuous verbs and mixed verbs.

A non-continuous verb is one that can’t be visually observed and doesn’t involve a concrete observable action taking place. Verbs such as have, be, can’t, need, think, judge, evaluate, require, wish, sense, and perceive would all be examples of this.

A mixed verb is a verb that can have more than one meaning, depending on how it is used in a sentence. Here’s an example taken from English Page that demonstrates the word “appear” as a mixed verb.

• Donna appears confused  (this is a non-continuous verb meaning the same thing as “seems”)
• My favorite singer is appearing at the jazz club tonight. (This is a normal verb explaining that the singer will be giving a performance)

In both of the above examples, the verb is used in the simple present tense. We’ll give you an example of our own below:

• The hamburgers do not smell good.
• I cannot smell the hamburgers.

In the first sentence, smelling good is an action not taken by the hamburgers, as it indicates a quality the hamburgers do not possess. In the second sentence, smell is a verb not performed by the speaker, who is in not the act of sensory perception.

Webpage to Discuss in Class

EduFind.com: Present Continuous

This present continuous lesson comes courtesy of EduFind.com, a site that focuses on teaching English and its grammatical principles. Its present continuous page informs readers that the present continuous form of a verb consists of two elements. These elements are the present form of a “to be” verb and the present participle (typically a gerund) of the main verb.

EduFind gives the following formula for writing sentences in the present continuous:

Subject + to be + gerund

This is for a positive statement, such as the following.

I (subject) am (to be) eating (gerund).

For a negative statement, the formula changes to add a “not” statement to the “to be” verb.

I (subject) am not (to be + not) eating (gerund).

The formula changes one more time to make an interrogative sentence. Here, the “to be” verb and subject are swapped in order.

Am (to be) I (subject) eating (gerund)?

The present continuous comes into play in several situations. One such case is when an action hasn’t yet been completed or hasn’t fully run its course. These are things that are presently in progress. Here’s an example:

• The girls are building a sand castle. (The girls haven’t yet finished building their sand castle.)

EduFind points out that this tense can also be used when describing a trend or something limited to a certain time period.

• Lots of people are doing yoga these days. (doing yoga is the trend)
• Harold is still attending elementary school. (Harold’s time in elementary school is the limited period)

An action that is known to be happening in the future can also be addressed in the present continuous.

• We are going to Maine in July.
• I am visiting my uncle tomorrow.

Another situation in which one may use the present continuous is when speaking of an action that is temporary in nature.

• The weather is making me feel depressed.
• Ed’s vacuum is broken so he is using Emily’s vacuum today.

Ongoing and/or perpetual actions can also be referenced with the present continuous.

• You are always copying me.
• Your friend is constantly helping you.

Video Resources

1. English Grammar Lesson: Present Simple

Source: Hollywood’s Online Learning

Run Time: 2:47

Grade Level: 7-8

Description: This video explains what the simple present tense is and gives the basic formula for writing a sentence in the simple present tense. It also demonstrates how the third person form of the verb will receive an -s or -es at its end. You and your students may ignore the passing reference made to a “grammar sheet” as it will not be of relevance.

2. English Grammar Lesson: Using the Present Simple Tense

Source: Hollywood’s Online Learning

Run Time: 4:12

Grade Level: 7-8

Description: This video acts as a follow-up to the first simple present video. It explains when and how to employ the simple present tense and mentions cases in which it is to be abandoned for the present continuous tense.

3. Present Simple vs Present Continuous

Source: Hollywood’s Online Learning

Run Time: 3:19

Grade Level: 7-8

Description: This video explains the differences between the simple present and present continuous tenses. It also sheds light on when to use one instead of the other. Reinforcement Exercises 1. Have your students work together to construct ten examples of sentences which contain verbs concerning sensory perception whose meanings can change in the present continuous. This is in line with the example we gave earlier about hamburgers smelling good vs someone being able to smell a hamburger. 2. Make a set of tables on a blackboard or dry erase board with blank spaces for 1st person (singular and plural) 2nd person, and 3rd person (singular and plural). Then introduce a verb and call on students to fill out the simple present form of the given verb in the table. Make sure to include a table for irregular simple present verbs, namely “to be” verbs (am, are, is).

By Scott Kalapos, Education World Contributor