L2: The Present Indicative Tense

[BillyShears]

The Present Indicative Tense (Il presente indicativo)

The present indicative tense describes an action in the present and translates into English as “I speak”, “I am speaking” or “I do speak”.

Usage
The present indicative tense indicates an action or state of being at the present time.

• Antonia parla a Ugo. (Antonia is speaking to Hugh.)
• Penso di andare al cinema. (I am thinking of going to the movies.)

The present indicative tense is used to state facts.

• Tre più quattro fa sette. (Three plus four equals seven.)
• Rosa studia a casa stasera. (Rose is studying at home tonight.)

The present indicative tense is used to express or verify an ongoing or habitual action.

• Andate al lavoro a piedi ogni giorno? (Do you walk to work every day?)
• Prendiamo un caffè ogni mattina. (We drink a cup of coffee every morning.)

The present indicative tense can be used to express an immediate future action.

• Parti domani? (Are you leaving tomorrow? / Will you leave tomorrow?)
• Sì, parto domani. (Yes, I am leaving tomorrow. / Yes, I will leave tomorrow.)

The present indicative tense can be used to express an action that begun in the past but continues in the present.

• Abitiamo a Roma dal duemilaundici. (We have been living in Rome since 2011.)

The present indicative tense can be used to express a past event, a historical fact, or a story for dramatic impact.

• Nel millenovecentosessantanove gli astronauti americani atterrano sulla Luna. (In 1969 American astronauts land on the moon.)