Person B I Present Tense Day Listen Speaking

Listen to the Entire Lesson

In this lesson, we are going to learn how to communicate to someone using the present tense. However, because this isn't a site teaching grammar, I do not want to spend too much time on details. I wanted to include this section primarily to show many different sentences using present tense and to have a dedicated practice section with only present tense sentences.

This lesson is a little shorter than others because speaking in the present tense is not as common as speaking in the future or past tense. Although speaking in the future tense or the past tense is more common, it is still important to know how to communicate in the present tense. Here are some example sentences:

I see Bob over there by the newspaper stand."
I'm going to the library."
I'm on my way home."
I'm going to the bus stop."

Jack is going to the store."
Jill is stopping by now."
The meeting is starting now."
The manager is waiting for you in her office."
Tell the receptionist that you are here to see Mr. Hwang."

Questions:

A very common question you will run into is,
How are you doing?"
How is your day going?"
What are you doing now?"

To answer these types of question, you must remember that you are talking about what is currently going on now, so you must use the present tense.

Here are some ways to answer the above question.

I'm enjoying the beautiful weather without any worries in the world."
I'm playing a video game on my computer because I have nothing to do."
I'm at the grocery store buying ingredients for tonight's dinner."
I'm at the gym working out."

As you can see, each sentence is starting with, 'I am' instead of 'I will be' or 'I was.' We will discuss past tense and future tense in the next sessions.

More descriptive answers you can give are the following:

I'm pretty busy right now. I'm doing my homework because I have an exam tomorrow."
My project deadline is coming up, so I'm currently in the process of finishing my tasks."
I'm taking the day off from work today because I have so many errands. I'm going to the post office to send some packages to my friends."
I'm looking for a job. The job market does not look that great, but I can't give up."
I'm applying for a job at a consulting firm in Taiwan."
I'm listening to music while thinking about my situation."

The present tense is more common in writing. As you can see by all the explanations I am giving, they are all written in the present tense. That is because it is instructional. Instructional writing is more commonly written in present tense. However, stories in novels are written in past tense.

The reason past and future tense is used more commonly than present tense when speaking is because usually you are telling someone what you have done or what you plan on doing. Speaking in the present tense is used primarily to tell someone what you are currently doing.

As in previous lessons in 'Bored and Greeting' it is very common to have a conversation using the present tense when you run into somebody or when you make or receive a phone call.

Let's use this time now to incorporate what we have learned so far.

Person A: Hi Jack. What are you doing?"
Person B: Hi Mary. I'm filling out a job application."
Person A: Are you finished with school already?"
Person B: No. I have one more semester, but it would be great to have a job lined up."

Person A: How is your day going?"
Person B: Quite busy. I'm preparing for my presentation tomorrow on our marketing strategy. I'm not even half done yet."
Person A: You must feel stressed out now."
Person B: That's an understatement."

Person A: What are you doing now?"
Person B: I'm playing pool with my friends at a pool hall."
Person A: I didn't know you play pool. Are you having fun?"
Person B: I'm having a great time. How about you? What are you doing?"
Person A: I'm taking a break from my homework. There seems to be no end to the amount of work I have to do."
Person B: I'm glad I'm not in your shoes."

Click on Listen All and follow along. After becoming comfortable with the entire conversation, become Person A by clicking on the Person A button. You will hear only Person B through the audio file. There will be a silence for you to repeat the sentences of Person A. Do the same for Person B. The speed of the conversation is native speed. Use the pause button if the pause between each sentence is too fast for you. After practicing several times, you will be able to speak as fast as a native.