Present Tenses. (0)

The Present Simple is the most basic tense in the English language . It is an interesting tense because it can be used to express the future. Generally, though, we use it to describe the present activities or to talk about routines or habits.
Present Simple
Basic form
Subject + Verb + -s (present form)

• John lives in New York .
  
• We play football every day.
  
• You are really kind.
  
• The meeting starts at 3 PM.
  

Use the Present Simple:

• with state verbs .
  

• to talk about situations in life that last a relatively long time.
  
• when an event is certain to happen in the future.
  
• to talk about events that we can't change (for example, an official meeting or a train departure).
  

The Present Simple is also used in narrations (e.g. to tell a story or a joke), instructions (e.g. cooking) or commentaries (especially sport commentaries)

Declarative Sentences :

Subject
Verb (present form)
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc.
e.g. go, make, have, etc.

Questions :

DO/DOES
Subject
Verb (present form)
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc.
e.g. go, make, have, etc.

Negative Sentences:

Subject
DO/DOES
Verb (present form)
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc.
NOT
e.g. go, make, have, etc


Present Continuous The Present Continuous is mainly used to express the idea that something is happening at the moment of speaking. The Present Continuous also describes activities generally in progress (not at the moment). Another use of the tense is to talk about temporary actions or future plans .
Basic form
Subject + IS/ARE + Verb +ing (continuous verb)

• He is sleeping.
  
• I am visiting grandpa in the afternoon.
  
• You are always coming late for the meetings!
  

Use the Present Continuous:

• Present Actions: to talk about actions happening at the moment of speaking. (most often)

• Temporary Actions: for activities continuing only for a limited period of time.

• Longer Actions in Progress: when we are in the middle of doing something time-consuming (i.e. something that takes time to complete

• Future (Personal) Arrangements and Plans: to show that something is planned and will be done in the near future.

• Tendencies and Trends: for expressing tendencies or trends.

• Irritation or Anger : to express irritation or anger over somebody or something in the present with adverbs such as: always, continually or contantly.

Declarative Sentences:

Subject
IS/ARE
Verb+ING
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc.
e.g. walking , going , taking , etc.

Questions:

IS/ARE
Subject
Verb+ING
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc.
e.g. walking, going, taking, etc.

Negative Sentences:

Subject
IS/ARE
Verb+ING
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc.
NOT
e.g. walking, going, taking, etc.
Stative (State) Verbs !!!
There is a certain group of verbs that usually does not appear in the Continuous form. They are calledStative (State) Verbs, and if used in the Continuous form, they have a different meaning.
***I think you look pretty today . Meaning: Opinion.
***I'm thinking of moving to San Francisco . Meaning: Act of thinking.
Present Perfect The Present Perfect is used to express actions that happened at anindefinite time or that began in the past and continue in the present. This tense is also used when an activity has an effect on the present moment.
Basic form
Subject + HAS/HAVE + Verb (past participle form)

• I have read this book.
  
• The man has gone away.
  
• John has worked as a teacher for over 25 years .
  

Use the Present Perfect:

• Indefinite time before now: to talk about actions that happened at some point in the past. It does not matter when exactly they happened.

Remember: !!
You should not use this tense with time expressions like yesterday , a week ago, last year , etc.

• Effect on the present moment: when an activity has an effect on the present moment.

• Continuation in the present: when we want to emphasize that an event continues in the present.

Declarative Sentences:

Subject
HAVE/HAS
Verb (past participle form)
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc.
e.g. gone, taken, done , etc.

Questions:

HAVE/HAS
Subject
Verb (past participle form)
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc.
e.g. gone, taken, done, etc.

Negative Sentences:

Subject
HAVE/HAS
Verb (past participle form)
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc.
NOT
e.g. gone, taken, done, etc.

Present Perfect Continuous The Present Perfect Continuous (Progressive) has a long and scary name. But don't worry ! Read on to learn how to use it.

Basic form
Subject + HAS/HAVE + BEEN + Verb+ING (continuous form)

• I have been working as a teacher for 30 years.
  
• What have you been doing?
  

Use the Present Perfect Continuous:

• Continuation in the Present: to show that something started in the past and continues in the present.
  

• Past actions recently stopped: to talk about actions that began in the past and have recently stopped.
  
• Temporary Actions and Situations: when an action or situation is temporary.
  

Positive Sentences:

Subject
HAVE/HAS
BEEN
Verb (continuous form)
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc.
e.g. walking, going, taking, etc

Questions:

HAVE/HAS
Subject
BEEN
Verb (continuous form)
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc.
e.g. walking, going, taking, etc

Subject
HAVE/HAS
BEEN
Verb (continuous form)
e.g. he, she, a dog, etc.
NOT
e.g. walking, going, taking, etc