Grammar - Intermediate - Present Tenses

The present simple, present continuous and present perfect tenses


Present simple
We use the present simple tense for things that we do regularly and for facts, habits, truths and permanent situations. We often use time expressions like every day, once a week, on Fridays.

I check my email every day. (regular activity)
Yuki works at the bank. (permanent situation)

Form:
For positive sentences, use the same form as the infinitive without 'to' for I, you, we and they. For he, she and it, add -s or -es to the infinitive. Make questions and negatives with do / does + the infinitive without 'to'.

They live in Rome.
Jone starts work at nine o’clock and finishes at five.
I don't eat eggs.
It doesn't usually snow in October.
Why do you read the news online every day?
Does the supermarket sell newspaper?

Present Continuous

We use the present continuous for things that are happening at the time we are speaking, for temporary situations, and for activities that are in progress.

Just a minute. I’m checking my email. (now)
She usually works in Paris, but she’s working from home this week. (temporary)
I’m studying English (activity in progress)

We can also use the present continuous for future arrangements, usually with a time expression.

I'm seeing the doctor on Monday morning.

Form:
For positive sentences, the form is subject + am/is/are + verb-ing. Make questions and negatives with am/are/is + not + verb-ing.

Can I call you back later? We’re having dinner right now.
He isn’t answering his mobile at the moment.
What are you doing?
Is it raining?

Note: There are some verbs that we don’t usually use in the continuous form. They are often verbs of thinking and feeling, for example: hear, see, smell, hate, know, understand, want, need.

WRONG: Could you explain that again? I’m not understanding.
CORRECT: Could you explain that again? I don’t understand.

Present Perfect

Use the present perfect for:

1) Life experiences in the past. We don’t say when these happened: we are interested in the experience, not the time or date. We often use ever and never.

I’ve seen all Julia’s films.
Have you ever eaten sushi? - Yes, I have. / No, I haven’t.

2) Recent past actions that are important now.

Oh no! I’ve left my wallet on the bus.
The Minister has resigned.

3) Past situations that are still happening now. We often use how long with for (throughout a period of time) and since (from a point in the past until now).

I haven’t seen Jone this morning. (It is still this morning.)
How long have you known Sarah? - I’ve known him for two years.
Ali's been in France since January.

4) With just, already, yet to talk about recent events in the past. The exact time is not important. Use just and already mainly in positive sentences. Use yet in negatives and questions.

It’s just stopped raining. Let’s go out.
Can you feed the dog? - I’ve already fed it.
We can still watch the film. It hasn’t started yet.
Have you done your French homework yet?

Note: Use the past simple for completed actions in the past.

I saw Ahmed yesterday.
Sami moved to Saudi Arabia in 2011.
Mary didn't want another piece of cake.
When did you see Alex?

Form:
For positive sentences, the form is subject + have/has + past participle. Make negatives with not and change the word order to make questions.

I've finished the report.
Sam's been in Italy since Mars.
We've just got back from Egypt.
I haven’t seen Jenny this morning.
How long has Alex known Mitya?