The Present Simple, Present Continuous and Present Perfect Tenses
The Present Simple, Present Continuous and Present Perfect Tenses
The Present Simple, Present Continuous and Present Perfect Tenses
Form:
For positive sentences, use the same form as the infinitive without 'to' for I, you,
we and they. For he, she and it, add -s or -es to the infinitive. Make questions and
negatives with do / does + the infinitive without 'to'.
Present Continuous
We use the present continuous for things that are happening at the time we are
speaking, for temporary situations, and for activities that are in progress.
We can also use the present continuous for future arrangements, usually with a time
expression.
Form:
For positive sentences, the form is subject + am/is/are + verb-ing. Make questions
and negatives with am/are/is + not + verb-ing.
Can I call you back later? We’re having dinner right now.
He isn’t answering his mobile at the moment.
What are you doing?
Is it raining?
Note: There are some verbs that we don’t usually use in the continuous form. They are
often verbs of thinking and feeling, for example: hear, see, smell, hate, know,
understand, want, need.
Present Perfect
Use the present perfect for:
1) Life experiences in the past. We don’t say when these happened: we are interested
in the experience, not the time or date. We often use ever and never.
3) Past situations that are still happening now. We often use how
long with for (throughout a period of time) and since (from a point in the past until
now).
4) With just, already, yet to talk about recent events in the past. The exact time is not
important. Use just and already mainly in positive sentences. Use yet in negatives and
questions.
Note: Use the past simple for completed actions in the past.
Form:
For positive sentences, the form is subject + have/has + past participle. Make
negatives with not and change the word order to make questions.
I've finished the report.
Jack's been in Italy since January.
We've just got back from Germany.
I haven’t seen Jenny this morning.
How long has Alex known Mitya?