Simple Present Tense

The simple present tense in English is used to describe an action that

is regular, true or normal.
We use the present tense:

1. For repeated or regular actions in the present time period.

 I take the train to the office.

 The train to Berlin leaves every hour.
 John sleeps eight hours every night during the week.

2. For facts.

 The President of The USA lives in The White House.

 A dog has four legs.
 We come from Switzerland.

3. For habits.

 I get up early every day.

 Carol brushes her teeth twice a day.
 They travel to their country house every weekend.

4. For things that are always / generally true.

 It rains a lot in winter.

 The Queen of England lives in Buckingham Palace.
 They speak English at work.
 Present Continuous

1. For actions happening now.

 They’re talking on the phone.

 They are reading their books.
 They are not watching television.

2. For actions occurring during a time period in the

present.
 This year I’m studying English.
 I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.
 I am not reading any books right now.
 Are you working on any special projects at work?

3. For some Future actions, especially those already

planned.

 Thrursday I’m going to the theater

 I am meeting some friends after work.
 I am not going to the party tonight.
 Present Perfect

1. Unspecified point in the past

 I have been to Spain three times.

(At some unspecified time in the past, I went to Spain).

Compare with the simple past:

 I went to Spain three times in 2005.
(specified time in the past - the year 2005)

2. An action that occurred in the past, but has a result in the present (now)
 We can't find our luggage. Have you seen it?
(The luggage was lost in the past, do you know where it is now?)

3. Talking about general experiences (ever, never)

It usually refers to an event happening at some moment in your life.

 Has she ever tried Chilean wine before? (in her life)

 I've never eaten monkey brains before. (in my life)

4. Events that recently occurred (just)

 Do you want to go to a restaurant with me?

No, thanks. I've just eaten lunch. (I recently ate lunch.)

5. Events that have occurred up to now (yet)

 Are Carlos and Rodrigo here? No, they haven't arrived yet. (they're still not here now)

6. Events that occurred before you expected (already)

 I've already graduated from University. (I expected to graduate at a later date.)

7. Events that began in the past and haven't changed (for, since)

 Mike has worked at Woodward for 3 years.

(Mike started working at Woodward 3 years ago and he still works there now.)

 Julie has worked at Woodward since September last year.

(Julie began working at Woodward in September of last year, and that hasn't changed -
she still works here now.)
 Present Perfect Continuous

FORM

[has/have + been + present participle]

1. For unfinished or continuous actions.

 I have been living here since 2007.

 I have been living here for five years.
 You have been waiting here for two hours.
 They have been talking for the last hour.
 She has been working at that company for three years.

We use the Present Perfect Continuous to show that

something started in the past and has continued up until now.
"For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Tuesday" are
all durations which can be used with the Present Perfect
Continuous.
 Past Continuous

FORM

[was/were + present participle]

1. For one or more actions in progress at a time in the

past.

 At 7:00, we were eating dinner.

 They were swimming and we were sitting on the
beach.
 I Wasn’t listening.

2. For an action that interrupted a continuing action in the

past.

 You phoned while I was having a bath.

 It started to rain just as we were getting ready to
have our picnic.

 The boy was standing on the table when the

principal came into the room.
 Many people were shopping in the market when the
bomb exploded.
 While I was writing the email, the computer
suddenly went off.
 A: What were you doing when you broke your leg?
B: I was snowboarding.
 3. Atmosphere

In English, we often use a series of parallel actions to describe the atmosphere at a

particular time in the past.

Example:

 When I walked into the office, several people were busily typing,

some were talking on the phones, the boss was yelling directions, and
customers were waiting to be helped. One customer was yelling at a
secretary and waving his hands. Others were complaining to each other
about the bad service.

4. Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

The Past Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the
idea that something irritating or shocking often happened in the past. The concept
is very similar to the expression "used to" but with negative emotion. Remember to
put the words "always" or "constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing."

 She was always coming to class late.

 He was constantly talking. He annoyed everyone.
 I didn't like them because they were always complaining.

5. ACTIVE / PASSIVE

 The salesman was helping the customer when the thief came into the
store. ACTIVE
 The customer was being helped by the salesman when the thief came into the
store. PASSIVE