What term describes an action taking place in the present?

The term that describes an action taking place in the present is "present tense." Present tense is used to express activities or events that are currently occurring, habitual actions, or general truths. For example, in the sentence "She runs every morning," the verb "runs" is in the present tense, indicating that the action is currently happening or is a regular occurrence. This form is essential for effective communication about ongoing events and is an integral part of verb conjugation in English.

In contrast, the other choices refer to different times of action; past tense refers to actions that have already occurred, future tense denotes actions that will happen, and remote tense is not a standard term used in English grammar. Collectively, these distinctions highlight the significance of verb tense in conveying the timing of actions in writing and speech.