This document discusses the four present tenses in English: present simple, present continuous, present perfect simple, and present perfect continuous. It provides examples and explanations of when to use each tense, such as using the present simple to talk about habits, permanent situations, or future events on a calendar. The present continuous is used for activities happening now or temporary situations. The present perfect simple is used for unfinished activities continuing up to the present or recently finished activities. The present perfect continuous is used for longer unfinished or recently finished activities or repeated actions continuing up to the present.

1. PRESENT TENSES:

2. Present tenses
• There are four present tenses in
English:
o Present simple
o Present continuous
o Present perfect simple
o Present perfect continuous

3. Present simple: uses
I always have my breakfast in bed.
I go for a walk every afternoon.
afternoon
Why are we using the present simple
here?

4. Present simple: uses
HABITS

5. Present simple: uses
Water boils when you heat it.
I have black eyes.
Why are we using the present simple
here?

6. Present simple: uses
SOMETHING THAT IS ALWAYS TRUE,
A PERMANENT SITUATION

7. Present simple: uses
I work in Puerto de la Cruz.
I live in La Orotava.
Why are we using the present simple
here?

8. Present simple: uses
SOMETHING THAT IS TRUE FOR A LONG
TIME

9. Present simple: uses
The plane leaves at 5.00.
When you arrive, phone me.
Why are we using the present simple
here?

10. Present simple: uses
TO REFER TO FUTURE TIME:
- IN FIXED EVENTS ON A TIMETABLE,
CALENDAR, ETC.
- IN TIME CLAUSES

11. Present simple: uses
If I stay up late, I feel awful.
If I pass this exam, I’ll have a party.
Why are we using the present simple
here?

12. Present simple: uses
IN ZERO AND FIRST CONDITIONAL CLAUSES

13. Present continuous: uses
It’s raining.
I’m writing my doctoral thesis.
Why are we using the present continuous
here?

14. Present continuous: uses
ACTIVITIES HAPPENING NOW,
ACTIVITIES HAPPENING AROUND NOW

15. Present continuous: uses
My sister’s living at home for the moment
until she finds a place of her own.
Why are we using the present continuous
here?

16. Present continuous: uses
TEMPORARY ACTIVITIES OR SITUATIONS
AROUND THE PRESENT MOMENT

17. Present continuous: uses
We’re getting married in October.
I’m having dinner with Anne tomorrow.
Why are we using the present continuous
here?

18. Present continuous: uses
FUTURE PERSONAL PLANS

19. Present continuous: uses
I’ve lost my key again. I’m always losing things.
My mom’s always telling me what I should and
shouldn’t eat.
Why are we using the present continuous here?

20. Present continuous: uses
WITH FREQUENCY ADVERBS (ALWAYS) TO
TALK ABOUT HABITS AND TO CRITICISE

21. Present perfect simple: uses
We’ve lived here for ten years.
We’ve been friends since 2002.
Why are we using the present perfect
simple here?

22. Present perfect simple: uses
UNFINISHED ACTIVITIES THAT CONTINUE
UP TO THE PRESENT

23. Present perfect simple: uses
I’ve just been to the shops.
I’ve already found my purse.
Why are we using the present perfect
simple here?

24. Present perfect simple: uses
FINISHED ACTIVITIES THAT:
a) Finished recently
b) Have a result at present

25. Present perfect simple: uses
I’ve never been to La Gomera.
Have you ever been to Scotland?
Why are we using the present perfect
simple here?

26. Present perfect simple: uses
INDEFINITE PAST EXPERIENCES

27. Present perfect simple: uses
My English has improved since this course
started.
Why are we using the present perfect
simple here?

28. Present perfect simple: uses
TO TALK ABOUT CHANGE

29. Present perfect continuous:
uses
We’ve been living here for ten years.
Why are we using the present perfect
continuous here?

30. Present perfect continuous:
uses
LONGER UNFINISHED ACTIVITIES THAT
CONTINUE UP TO THE PRESENT

31. Present perfect continuous:
uses
Your eyes are red. Have you been crying?
Why are we using the present perfect
continuous here?

32. Present perfect continuous:
uses
LONGER FINISHED ACTIVITIES THAT:
a) Finished recently
b) Have a result at present

33. Present perfect continuous:
uses
I’ve been coming to China for nearly 20
years.
Why are we using the present perfect
continuous here?

34. Present perfect continuous:
uses
REPEATED ACTIONS THAT CONTINUE
UP TO THE PRESENT

35. PRESENT TENSES
Created by:
Carmen Luisa Pérez Amaro