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:
We don't write our budget before we know the operating cost.
When do you study the technical aspects of service?
BUT:
The production center usually closes at seven o'clock.
The pastry chef usually bakes the short crust pastries at six o'clock.
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:
The line cooks are striking for higher pay at the moment.
They are betting on ecotourism as a remedy this year.
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:
In-house accounting isn't used very often.
Is the coffee shop occupied at the moment?
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:
Our quality standards have been updated twice since June.
Peter has already finished the business plan for the coffee shop.
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:
I've been working on my people skills since summer. That's why I'm so very friendly.
They've been defining their target market for six months.