content_image/729188.jpg content_image/729189.jpg content_image/729190.jpg
## UNIT FIVE 

The present tense of regular (and some irregular) verbs 

## Use of the present tense 

1 The present tense (or simply ‘the present’) is used to state that an action is occurring at the present time. It corresponds basically to the English simple present (‘I eat’) and present continuous (‘I am eating’): 

<img src='content_image/729188.jpg'>

2 The present can also be used to refer to the future, either the near future or one that is considered fairly certain: 

<img src='content_image/729189.jpg'>

3 The present is also used to refer to an action which started in the past and is still going on; here, it corresponds to the English present perfect: 

<img src='content_image/729190.jpg'>

