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 surcharge fee doesn't apply to accounts opened before noon.
Do your workers know how to handle a combined statement?
BUT:
It's usually prudent to take this into consideration when considering which bank to select.
Hari works as an asset manager in that firm.
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:
She's talking to the representative about the bill as per invoice.
Sharon isn't signing the contract later this afternoon unless we identify the remaining liquid assets.
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:
The merger is slated to go through.
When is the loan scheduled to depreciate?
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:
Have they changed the bill to be payable in advance yet?
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:
I have been investigating allegations of abuses in the bank's adjustable-rate mortgage.
The client hasn't been willing to discuss earnest money all week.