- Telling stories, we usually use the present tenses. The simple present is used for the events: the things that happen one after another. The present progressive is used for the “background”: the things that are already happening when the story starts or that continue through the story.
So I go to the office, and I check the file, and I see what the problem is. There’s just some errors about the figures…..
There’s a man wearing black suit and you see, he is a big guy. He usually passes by at this hour in the street…..
- The simple present is common in summaries of plays and stories:
In Act 2: Henry is dreaming that he is meeting his soul mate.
Chapter 3: Henry approaches the door and sees something strange…
- The use of tenses is just similar in making commentaries. The simple present is used for the quicker actions and events: which are finished before the sentences that describe them: whilst the present progressive is used for longer actions and situations. In football commentaries, there are more simple and fewer progressive tenses than in a commentary on a boat race.
David passes to Johnson, Johnson to Howard---Peter intercepts…….Peter passes
to Todd…..then goal!
Yellow are pulling slightly ahead of Green now; they are rowing with a great
Rhythm: Green are looking a little unorganized……
3. Instructions and demonstrations
- Present tenses are used in the same way to give instructions, demonstrations, and directions.
How do I get to the nearest station? – You go straight and on the second block, you turn left..and then you can see the station.
First, we need to prepare all the ingredients. Then, you heat the pan…..
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