Helping Hints for the Present
Auxiliary Verbs Used with Present Tenses
Knowledge of auxiliary verbs used in various tenses is the key to correct tense conjugation. Here is a review of auxiliary verbs used in present tenses:
Present Simple:
Use 'do / does' in questions and negative statements to express a routine or habitual action. Use no auxiliary verb in the positive form.
Example:
The futures market doesn't open for operations on federal holidays.
How often do you check your credit score?
BUT:
The discussion centers around the bill on demand.
It's usually prudent to take this into consideration when considering which bank to select.
Present Continuous:
Use 'am / is / are' in the present tense for the positive, negative and question forms in the present continuous tense to express something that is happening at the current moment, or around the present moment in time.
Example:
Veraphone is working on improvements for an upgraded pin pad.
We aren't measuring the liquid assets accurately.
Present Simple Passive:
Use the verb 'am / is / are' in the present for positive, negative and question in the present simple passive to express a present passive operation. Remember that the passive takes the participle form of the principal verb.
Example:
That pension fund isn't used very often.
The merger is slated to go through.
Present Perfect:
Use 'have / has' in the present for the positive, negative and question forms for the present perfect tense to express something that has happened up to the present moment in time, or something which has occurred at an unspecified moment in the past.
Example:
The borrower in default has been corresponded with numerous times.
The take-over bid has been rejected twice.
Present Perfect Continuous:
Use the verb 'have been / has been' in the present perfect for the positive, negative and question forms for the present perfect tense to express the duration of something that has been happening up to the present moment in time.
Example:
How long has the bank customer been calculating his net assets?
Real estate has been plunging steadily for the last year.