English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
USING TENSES APPROPRIATELY
PRESENT TENSE:
The present tense performs the following functions:
- It talks about an action that is being experienced at the moment:
I am happy.
She is here. - It expresses habitual actions:
I used to come to school regularly. ✖️
I come to school regularly. ✔️
I am used to coming to school regularly. ✔️ - It can be used to talk about a future action that will take place at a fixed time:
The president leaves Nigeria at 8pm tomorrow.
Ghana plays Nigeria at 12 noon on Saturday. - The present tense is used in news headlines (notwithstanding whether the news had happened, is happening or is yet to happen):
Tobi Amusan Won Gold Again!✖️
Tobi Amusan Wins Gold Again!
Man-U lost to Brighton.
Man-U loses to Brighton. - The present tense is used in literary analysis and commentaries:
Okonkwo fathered Ikemefuna. ✖️
Okonkwo fathers Ikemefuna. ✔️
Ronaldo dribbled Terry and passed the ball to Nani. ✖️
Ronaldo dribbles Terry and passes the ball to Nani. ✔️
GAB
