PRESENT SIMPLE TENSE

To be Verbs
Affirmative S + am/is/are S + verb (add (e)s in the 3rd
He is a doctor. person)
I like tea
Negative S + am/is/are + not S + don’t/doesn’t + verb
He is not a doctor. I don’t like tea
Interrogative Am/is/are + S Do/does + S + verb
Is he a doctor? Do you like tea?

Usage Example Time Expressions

General truth. The sun rises in the east This evening
Habits. I play badminton every At 11 a.m
Tuesday
Future timetables. Our train leaves at 9 a.m. When
Future after “when”, “until”. I won’t go out until it stops Until
raining
Permanent situations. He works in a bank As soon as
For newspaper headlines. Man enters space Twice a month
With non-progressive. I believe that you are Every Tuesday
innocent
When telling stories. Suddenly, the window Sometimes, etc.
opens and a masked man
enters
For giving directions and First of all, you break the
instructions. eggs and whisk with sugar
 PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE
Affirmative S + am/is/are + V-ing
She is cooking.
Negative S + am/is/are + not + V-ing
She is not cooking.
Interrogative Am/is/are + S + V-ing
Is she cooking?

Usage Example Time expressions

Actions happening now.
Temporary situations.
Annoying habits.
Changing situations.
Definite future plans.
Jim is watching television at
the moment.
I am staying with a friend for
a few days.
That child is always crying
for no good reason.
Her health is improving by
leaps and bounds.
I am taking my French class
on Tuesday.
Now, at the moment,
currently…
At the moment, these days,
for a few days…
Always, forever, constantly…
Little by little, gradually…
Tonight, later, this
weekend…

PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

Affirmative S + have/has + past participle
I have tried sushi before.
Negative S + have/has + not + past participle
I have not tried sushi before.
Interrogative Have/has + S + past participle
Have you tried sushi before?

Usage Example Adverb

Things you have done in I have been to England. just
your life. already
Number of times you have I have been to Paris three yet
done something. times.
Recently completed actions I have already lost my job. for
which are important now. since
Situations that started in the I have known James for four never
past and are still true. or five years.
Present result John has just missed the ever
bus, so he will be late.
Unfinished actions or I have lived there since …
situations. 2004.
 PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE
Affirmative S + have/has + been + present participle
They have been learning English for two years.
Negative S + have/has + not + been + present participle
They have not been learning English for two years.
Interrogative Have/has + S + been + present participle
Have they been learning English for two years?

Usage Example
Long actions that started in the past and I have been living in Ireland for almost 4
continue until now. years.
Recent actions that have clear evidence or Her eyes are red because she has been
results now. crying all evening.
Typically used for shorter, more temporary Have they been learning English this week?
situations.