Read the following sentences.

• I work. (Simple Present tense)
• I am working. (Present continuous tense)
• I have worked. (Present perfect tense)
• I have been working. (Present perfect continuous tense)

All of the sentences given above refer to the present time and are therefore said to be in the present tense.

In sentence 1, the verb simply talks about the action. It doesn’t state whether the action is complete or incomplete. Verbs that simply talk about an action without stating whether it is complete or incomplete is said to be in the simple present tense.

In sentence 2, the verb shows that the action is still going on. Verbs that talk about an incomplete or continuous action is said to be in the present continuous tense.

In sentence 3, the verb shows that the action of working has been completed at the time of speaking and hence it is said to be in the present perfect tense.

In sentence 4, the verb is said to be in the present perfect continuous tense because it indicates that the action which started sometime in the past has gone on continuously and is still going on. It is not yet complete.

Thus we have seen that the tense of a verb shows not only the time of action, but also whether it is complete or incomplete.

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1. Tenses