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:
George doesn't drive the industrial truck on Mondays.
How often do you recycle your waste goods?
BUT:
Jim usually drives the industrial truck on Wednesdays.
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 discussing distribution with the boss at the moment.
We're developing penalties for substandard and unsafe manufacturing techniques 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:
Are these faulty light bulbs made in our factory?
The technical sheet is verified every day.
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 industrial processes have been reconfigured twice.
She hasn't completed the finished goods inventory assessment yet.
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:
He's been nervous about industrial espionage since he heard the rumor. That's why he can't quit smoking!
She hasn't been stocking the parts we need this month.