Present Simple

The Present Simple tense is the most basic tense in English and uses the base form of
the verb (except for the verb be). The only change from the base is the addition
of s for third person singular.

How do we MAKE the Present Simple tense?

There are two basic structures for the Present Simple:
1. Positive sentences

subject + main verb

Present Simple

2. Negative and question sentences

subjec + auxiliary do + main verb

t

conjugated in Present Simple  

do, does base

Look at these examples with the main verb like:

  subject auxiliary verb   main  

verb

+ I, you, we,   like coffee.

they

He, she, it   likes coffee.

   subject auxiliary verb   main  
verb

- I, you, we, do not like coffee.

they

He, she, it does not like coffee.

? Do I, you, we, they   like coffee?

Does he, she, it   like coffee?

From the above table, notice the following points...

For positive sentences:
 There is no auxiliary verb.
 We conjugate the main verb by adding s to the third person singular.
For negative and question sentences:
 The auxiliary verb (do) is conjugated in the Present Simple: do, does
 The main verb is invariable in base form: base
 For negative sentences, we insert NOT between the auxiliary verb and the
main verb.
 For question sentences, we EXCHANGE the subject and the auxiliary verb.
Emphatic do
Normally, for positive sentences we do not use the auxiliary verb do. But if we want
to emphasize (stress) something, we may use it. For example, instead of saying "I like
your dress", we could say "I do like your dress", just to show how much we like it.
Here are some more examples:
I do wish you'd stop.
I do apologize.
You do look smart today.
Present Simple with main verb be
The structure of the Present Simple with the main verb be is:

subject + main verb be

conjugated in Present Simple

am, are, is

Look at these examples with the main verb be:

  subject main verb be    

+ I am   French.

You, we, they are   French.

He, she, it is   French.

- I am not old.

You, we, they are not old.

He, she, it is not old.

? Am I   late?

Are you, we, they   late?

Is he, she, it   late?

From the above table, notice the following points...

  There is no auxiliary verb, even for questions and negatives.
 The main verb (be) is conjugated in the Present Simple: am, are, is
 For negative sentences, we insert NOT after the main verb.
 For question sentences, we EXCHANGE the subject and the main verb.

How do we USE the Present Simple tense?

We use the Present Simple to talk about:
 general time (action verbs)
 situations now (stative verbs)
 general time and situations now (verb be)

Present Simple for general time

We use the Present Simple tense when:
 the action is general
 the action happens all the time, or habitually, in the past, present and future
 the action is not only happening now
 the statement is always true

John drives a taxi.

past present future

__________________________________________________________________
_

It is John's job to drive a taxi. He does it every day. Past, present and future.
Look at these examples:
 I live in New York.
 The Moon goes round the Earth.
 John drives a taxi.
 He does not drive a bus.
 We meet every Thursday.
 We do not work at night.
 Do you play football?

Present Simple for now

For stative verbs, we can use the Present Simple to talk about now. Stative verbs do
not describe action. They describe state, and are verbs such as: like, sound, belong
to, need, seem. We can use these verbs with the Present Simple tense to talk about a
situation at the present time, not general.

I want a coffee.
That sounds interesting.
Do you need some help?

past present future

_______________________

  The situation is now.  

Present Simple for general time and now
The verb be is always special. It is a stative verb, and we use it in the Present Simple
tense to talk about now situations and about general situations. Look at these
examples of the verb be in the Present Simple tense - some are general and some
are now:

I am not fat.
Why are you so beautiful?
Ram is tall.

past present future

__________________________________________________________________
_

The situation is general. Past, present and future.

Am I right?
Tara is not at home.
We are hungry.

past present future

_______________________

  The situation is now.  

This page shows the use of the Present Simple tense to talk about now and
about general time. But note that there are other uses for the Present Simple, for
example in the zero conditional or to talk about the future.
 Present Continuous

(also called Present Progressive)

We often use the Present Continuous tense in English. It is very different

from the Present Simple tense, both in structure and in use.

How do we MAKE the Present Continuous tense?

The structure of the Present Continuous tense is:

subjec + auxiliary be + main verb

t

conjugated in Present  
Simple

am, are, is present participle (-ing)

The auxiliary verb (be) is conjugated in the Present Simple: am, are, is

The main verb is invariable in present participle form: -ing

For negative sentences we insert not between the auxiliary verb and the main
verb.

For question sentences, we exchange the subject and the auxiliary verb.

Look at these example sentences with the Present Continuous tense:

  subject auxiliary verb   main  

verb

+ I am   speaking to you.

+ You are   reading this.

- She is no staying in London.

t

- We are no playing football.

t

? Is he   watching TV?

? Are they   waiting for John?

How do we use the Present Continuous tense?

We use the Present Continuous to talk about:

 action happening now

  action in the future

Present Continuous for action happening now

a) for action happening exactly now

I am eating my lunch.

past present future

The action is happening  

now.

Look at these images. Right now you are looking at this screen and at the
same time...

the pages are the candle is the numbers are

turning burning spinning

b) for action happening around now

The action may not be happening exactly now, but it is happening just before
and just after now, and it is not permanent or habitual.

John is looking for a new job.

 past present future

   

  The action is happening  

"around" now.

Look at these examples:

 Muriel is learning to drive.

 I am living with my sister until I find an apartment.

Present Continuous for the future

We can also use the Present Continuous tense to talk about the future - if we
add a future word!! We must add (or understand from the context) a future
word. "Future words" include, for example, tomorrow, next year, in June, at
Christmas etc. We only use the Present Continuous tense to talk about the
future when we have planned to do something before we speak. We have
already made a decision and a plan before speaking.

I am taking my exam next month.

past present future

  !!!

  A firm plan or programme exists The action is in

now. the future.
Look at these examples:

 We're eating at Joe's Cafe tonight. We've already booked the table..
 They can play tennis with you tomorrow. They're not working.
 When are you starting your new job?

In these examples, a firm plan or programme exists before speaking. The

decision and plan were made before speaking.

How do we spell the Present Continuous tense?

We make the Present Continuous tense by adding -ing to the base verb.
Normally it's simple: we just add -ing. But sometimes we have to change the
word a little. Perhaps we double the last letter, or we drop a letter. Here are
the rules to help you know how to spell the Present Continuous tense.

Basic Just add -ing to the base verb:

rule

work → working

play → playing

assist → assisting

see → seeing

be → being

Exceptio If the base verb ends in consonant + stressed vowel +

n consonant, double the last letter:

s t o p

  consonant stressed consonant

vowel

vowels = a, e, i, o, u

stop → stopping

run → running

begin → beginning

Note that this exception does not apply when the last syllable

of the base verb is not stressed:

open → opening

Exceptio If the base verb ends in ie, change the ie to y:

n

lie → lying
 die → dying

Exceptio If the base verb ends in vowel + consonant + e, omit the e:

n

come → coming

mistake → mistaking

Note that continuous tenses are also called progressive tenses. So the

Present Continuous tense is sometimes called the Present Progressive tense.

Present Perfect Tense

The Present Perfect tense is a rather important tense in English, but it gives
speakers of some languages a difficult time. That is because it uses concepts
or ideas that do not exist in those languages. In fact, the structure of the
Present Perfect is very simple. The problems come with the use of the tense.
In addition, there are some differences in usage between British and
American English.

In this lesson we look at the structure and use of the Present Perfect tense,

as well as the use of for and since, followed by a quiz to check your
understanding.

The Present Perfect tense is really a very interesting tense, and a very useful
one. Try not to translate the Present Perfect into your language. Just try to
accept the concepts of this tense and learn to "think" Present Perfect! You will
soon learn to like the Present Perfect tense!

How do we make the Present Perfect tense?

The structure of the Present Perfect is:

subjec + auxiliary have + main verb

t

conjugated in Present Simple  

have, has past participle

The auxiliary verb (have) is conjugated in the Present Simple: have, has

The main verb is invariable in past participle form: -ed (or irregular)

For negative sentences we insert not between the auxiliary verb and the main
verb.

For question sentences, we exchange the subject and the auxiliary verb.

Look at these example sentences with the Present Perfect tense:

   subject auxiliary verb   main  
verb

+ I have   seen ET.

+ You have   eaten mine.

- She has no been to Rome.

t

- We have no played football.

t

? Have you   finished?  

? Have they   done it?

Contraction with Present Perfect

When we use the Present Perfect in speaking, we often contract the subject
and auxiliary verb. We also sometimes do this in informal writing.

I have I've

You have You've

 He has He's
She has She's
It has It's
John has John's
The car The car's
has

We have We've

They have They've

 You've told me that before.

 John's seen Harry Potter.

In negative sentences, we may contract the auxiliary verb and "not":

 You haven't won the contest.

 She hasn't heard from him.
He's or he's??? Be careful! The 's contraction is used for the auxiliary
verbs have and be. For example, "It's eaten" can mean:
 It has eaten. (Present Perfect tense, active voice)
 It is eaten. (Present Simple tense, passive voice)
It is usually clear from the context.

How do we use the Present Perfect tense?

This tense is called the Present Perfect tense. There is always a connection
with the past and with the present.

We use the Present Perfect to talk about:

 experience
 change
  continuing situation

Present Perfect for experience

We often use the Present Perfect to talk about experience from the past. We
are not interested in when you did something. We only want to know if you
did it:

I have seen an alien.

He has lived in Bangkok.
Have you been there?
We have never eaten caviar.

past present future

!!!  

The action or state was in In my head, I have a  

the past. memory now.

Connection with past: the event was in the past

Connection with present: in my head, now, I have a memory of the event;
I know something about the event; I have experience of it

Present Perfect for change

We also use the Present Perfect to talk about a change, or new information:

I have bought a car.

past present future

- +  

Last week I didn't have a Now I have a car.  

car.

John has broken his leg.

past present future

+ -  

Yesterday John had a good Now he has a bad  

leg. leg.

Has the price gone up?

past present future

+ -  

Was the price $1.50 Is the price $1.70  

 yesterday? today?

The police have arrested the killer.

past present future

- +  

Yesterday the killer was free. Now he is in prison.  

Connection with past: the past is the opposite of the present

Connection with present: the present is the opposite of the past
Americans do use the Present Perfect but less than British speakers.
Americans often use the Past Simple tense instead. An American might say
"Did you have lunch?", where a British person would say "Have you had
lunch?"

Present Perfect for continuing situation

We often use the Present Perfect to talk about a continuing situation. This is
a state that started in the past and continues in the present (and will probably
continue into the future). This is a situation (not an action). We usually
use for or since with this structure.

I have worked here since June.

He has been ill for 2 days.
How long have you known Tara (for)?

past present future

    

The situation started in the It continues up to (It will probably

past. now. continue into the
future.)

Connection with past: the situation started in the past.

Connection with present: the situation continues in the present.

For and Since with Present Perfect tense

We often use for and since with perfect tenses:

 We use for to talk about a period of time: five minutes, two weeks, six

years
 We use since to talk about a point in past time: 9 o'clock, 1st January,
Monday

for since

a period of a point in past time

time

------------ -•----------

20 minutes 6.15pm

three days Monday

 6 months January

4 years 1994

2 centuries 1800

a long time I left school

ever the beginning of time

etc etc

Look at these example sentences using for and since with the Present Perfect

tense:

 I have been here for twenty minutes.

 I have been here since 9 o'clock.
 John hasn't called for six months.
 John hasn't called since February.
 He has worked in New York for a long time.
 He has worked in New York since he left school.
For can be used with all tenses. Since is usually used with perfect tenses
only.

Present Perfect Continuous

The Present Perfect Continuous uses two auxiliary verbs together with a main
verb.

In this lesson we look at the structure and use of the Present Perfect

Continuous tense, as well as the use of for and since, followed by a quiz to
check your understanding.

Note that continuous tenses are also called progressive tenses. So the

Present Perfect Continuous tense is sometimes called the Present Perfect
Progressive tense.

How do we make the Present Perfect Continuous

tense?
The structure of the Present Perfect Continuous tense is:

subjec + auxiliary have + auxiliary be + main verb

t

conjugated in Present Simple past  

participle
 have, has been present participle

The first auxiliary (have) is conjugated in the Present Simple: have, has

The second auxiliary (be) is invariable in past participle form: been

The main verb is invariable in present participle form: -ing

For negative sentences we insert not after the first auxiliary verb.

For question sentences, we exchange the subject and first auxiliary verb.

Look at these example sentences with the Present Perfect Continuous tense:

  subject auxiliary   auxiliary main verb  

verb verb

+ I have   been waiting for one hour.

+ You have   been talking too much.

- It has not been raining.  

- We have not been playing football.

? Have you   been seeing her?

? Have they   been doing their homework?

Contraction with Present Perfect Continuous
When we use the Present Perfect Continuous tense in speaking, we often
contract the subject and the first auxiliary verb. We also sometimes do this in
informal writing.

I have been I've been

You have been You've been

He has been He's been

She has been She's been
It has been It's been
John has been John's been
The car has The car's been
been

We have been We've been

They have been They've been

 I've been reading.

 Jenny's been helping us recently.

In negative sentences, we may contract the first auxiliary verb and "not":

 I haven't been playing tennis.

 It hasn't been snowing.

How do we use the Present Perfect Continuous tense?

This tense is called the Present Perfect Continuous tense. There is usually a
connection with the present or now.

We use the Present Perfect Continuous to talk about:

 past action recently-stopped

 past action still-continuing

Present Perfect Continuous for past action just stopped

We use the Present Perfect Continuous tense to talk about action that started
in the past and stopped recently. There is usually a result now.

I'm tired because I've been running.

past present future

!!!  

Recent action Result now  

 I'm tired [now] because I've been running.

 Why is the grass wet [now]? Has it been raining?
 You don't understand [now] because you haven't been listening.

Present Perfect Continuous for past action continuing now

We use the Present Perfect Continuous tense to talk about action that started
in the past and is continuing now. This is often used with for or since.

I have been reading for 2 hours.

 past present future

Action started in past. Action is continuing now.  

 I have been reading for 2 hours. (I am still reading now.)

 We've been studying since 9 o'clock. (We're still studying now.)
 How long have you been learning English? (You are still learning now.)
 We have not been smoking. (And we are not smoking now.)

For and Since with Present Perfect Continuous tense

We often use for and since with perfect tenses:

 We use for to talk about a period of time: three hours, two months, one

decade
 We use since to talk about a point in past time: 9 o'clock, 1st January,
Monday

for since

a period of a point in past time

time

------------ -•----------

30 minutes 10.00am
 four days Friday

3 months March

2 years 2010

3 centuries 1700

ages I left school

ever the beginning of time

etc etc

Look at these example sentences using for and since with the Present Perfect

Continuous tense:

 I have been studying for three hours.

 I have been watching TV since 7pm.
 Tara hasn't been feeling well for two weeks.
 Tara hasn't been visiting us since March.
 He has been playing football for a long time.
 He has been living in Bangkok since he left school.
For can be used with all tenses. Since is usually used with perfect tenses
only.
https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verb-tenses.htm