1. Present Tenses
Mini Tutorial
Created by Heather Hava TLA (Additional
Learning & Language Support) West Suffolk
College

2. The two present tenses:
• Most English verbs have two present tenses, the present simple
tense (she thinks)and the present continuous tense (she is thinking).
• The present simple tense is used to talk about permanent
situations, or things that happen regularly or all the time.
• The present continuous tense is used to talk about temporary
continuing actions and events, which are just going on now or
around now.
• Both present tenses can be used to talk about the future, for
example:
I’ll meet you when you arrive.
I’m meeting her next week.
Source: Practical English Usage (Third Edition), Michael Swan, Oxford University Press 2005
Created by Heather Hava TLA (Additional
Learning & Language Support) West Suffolk
College

3. Look at the form of verbs in the present
simple tense:
Subject Verb – affirmative form
I / you / we / they read like have do
he / she / it reads likes has does
Subject Verb – negative form (do not (don’t) / does not (doesn’t)
I / you / we / they don’t read don’t like don’t have don’t do
he / she / it doesn’t read doesn’t like doesn’t have doesn’t do
Subject Verb- question form
I / you / we / they Do you Do they like…? Do we have…? Do I do…?
read…?
he / she / it Does he Does she like…? Does it have…? Does it do…?
read..?
Created by Heather Hava TLA (Additional Learning &
Language Support) West Suffolk College

4. The present simple tense is used to talk
about:
• Permanent situations and facts (things that are always true):
Water boils at 100˚Celsius. (but we say: The kettle’s boiling, shall I
make a coffee?)
It usually snows in January. (but: Look- it’s snowing!)
My phone beeps when I receive a message. (but: Your phone is
beeping -turn it off!)
Mariana speaks four languages.
• Things that happen regularly, repeatedly all the time or never:
How often do you come to college?
I have classes every day.
Megan never eats breakfast.
We often have lunch in town.
(using always/ never/often/sometimes/ usually + present simple)
Created by Heather Hava TLA (Additional
Learning & Language Support) West Suffolk
College

5. • Actions that are set by a timetable or schedule:
The train leaves at 08:00 and arrives at 08:44.
Most shops open at 9am and close at 5pm.
My class starts at 9.15.
Emily works very hard. She starts at 7.30 and finishes at 8 o’clock in the
evening.
(This use of the present is used to describe ‘timetabled’ future events.)
• Actions that take place one after another, for example in instructions,
demonstrations, commentaries and present tense stories:
First take a bowl and break two eggs into it. Next take a fork and beat
the eggs….
How do I get to the station? You go straight on to the traffic lights, then turn
left….
Taylor passes to Beckham, Beckham shoots…and it’s a goal!!
Created by Heather Hava TLA (Additional
Learning & Language Support) West Suffolk
College

6. • Talking about states and physical and emotional feelings:
I love my course.
Maria likes my new hairstyle.
I believe you.
How do you feel? (OR How are you feeling?)
My head aches. (OR My head is aching.)
Created by Heather Hava TLA (Additional
Learning & Language Support) West Suffolk
College

7. Spelling Rules for present simple tense
verbs with he/she/it
Rule Examples
work works
With most verbs, add –s sit sits
stay stays
Verbs ending in consonant + y: change y to i cry cries
and add –es hurry hurries
reply replies
BUT vowel + y: enjoy enjoys
miss misses
buzz buzzes
Verbs ending in -s, -z, -ch or -x: add -es watch watches
push pushes
fix fixes
Exceptions: have has
go goes
do does
NOTE: vowels = a, e, i, o, u and consonants = all other letters of the alphabet.
Created by Heather Hava TLA (Additional Learning
& Language Support) West Suffolk College

8. The present continuous tense
Subject Verb- affirmative
I am I am waiting.
he / she / it is He is working.
you / we / they are They are listening.
Subject Verb- negative
I am not ( ‘m not) I’m not listening.
he / she / it is not ( isn’t ) She isn’t going.
you / we / they are not ( aren’t ) We aren’t working.
Subject Verb- question form
I am I? Am I going?
he / she / it is it? Is it working?
you / we / they are you? Are you listening?
Created by Heather Hava TLA (Additional Learning &
Language Support) West Suffolk College

9. The present continuous tense is used to
talk about:
• Temporary actions and situations that are going on now or around now:
What are you doing? I’m writing an email.
Hurry up! We are all waiting for you.
Why are you laughing?
She’s working in London at the moment. (but the job is not
permanent)
• Repeated actions happening around the present:
He’s getting a lot of headaches at the moment.
Why is he hitting the dog?
I’m travelling a lot these days.
Created by Heather Hava TLA (Additional
Learning & Language Support) West Suffolk
College

10. • Developments and changes:
Your son is getting bigger every day!
House prices are going up again.
The weather is getting warmer.
• Future arrangements and fixed plans, when the time and place have been
decided:
What are you doing tomorrow?
What are we having for dinner?
I’m seeing Dora on Saturday.
We’re visiting my aunt in Australia next year.
Created by Heather Hava TLA (Additional
Learning & Language Support) West Suffolk
College

11. Practice!
Now click on the links below this tutorial to
practice using the present simple and present
continuous tenses.
Created by Heather Hava TLA (Additional
Learning & Language Support) West Suffolk
College