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."