Living Fairly
Senior 6 · English (Languages)
Living Fairly
Lesson 3 of 4
30 min
Let's begin
English has one present tense but four present forms, made by combining it with two kinds of aspect: continuous (in progress) and perfect (linking the past to now). Each form presents the same moment differently. They also have uses that are not about "now" at all: commentary, headlines, stories and, important for the next lesson, the summary of a novel. This lesson maps all four forms and their special uses.
An interview written for this lesson; the mediator is imagined.
Q: Tell us who you are.
A: I farm two hectares of beans and maize, and I sit on our cell's mediation committee. We meet on Tuesday afternoons in the cell office.
Q: Is it a busy time?
A: Very. This month we are hearing more land cases than usual, because the heavy rains are washing away the hedges that mark boundaries. And the disputes are getting more complicated as families grow.
Q: How long have you done this work?
A: I have served for three years, and I have mediated about forty disputes. We have just settled one that had lasted eleven years. And I have been reading the land law in the evenings, which is why I look so tired!
Q: What do you find hardest?
A: People are always telling me that I favour one side. I understand why: when you lose, the mediator looks unfair. But I believe mediation works. In fact, I'm thinking of standing again next year.
Definition
Key terms
| Form | Main uses | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present simple | Habits, permanent situations, general truths | We meet on Tuesdays. Water boils at 100 °C at sea level. |
| Special uses: timetables; commentary; headlines; instructions; stories told for effect; the literary present; performative verbs | The court sits at nine. Mugisha shoots … and scores! MAYOR OPENS NEW MARKET. I promise. | |
| Present continuous | In progress now; temporary situations; changing situations; arrangements for the future; irritating habits with always | We are hearing more land cases this month. Disputes are getting more complicated. People are always telling me … |
| Present perfect | Past actions connected to now: experience; unfinished periods (with for, since); recent events (with just, already, yet); the first line of news reports | I have served for three years. We have just settled one case. |
| Present perfect continuous | Activity lasting up to now; recent activity with visible results | I have been reading the land law, which is why I look tired. |
Worked example
Choosing between the perfect forms
Worked example
Stative verbs that change meaning
| Stative (state) | Dynamic (action) |
|---|---|
| I think mediation works. (opinion) | I'm thinking of standing again. (considering) |
| She has two hectares. (owns) | She's having lunch. (eating) |
| The case looks difficult. (seems) | He's looking at the map. (directing his eyes) |
| He is unfair. (character) | He's being unfair. (behaviour at this moment) |
Warning
Practice
Sources and credits
