Present tenses

USE

general truth

pr simple

current habit

pr simple

permanent situations and states

pr simple

telling jokes and other informal stories

pr simple

live sports commentary

pr simple

news paper headlines

pr simple

reviews and summaries

pr simple

instructions and directions

pr simple

proverbs and sayings

pr simple

the future (for fixed events)

pr simple

the future (in time clause)

pr simple

to emphasize contrast

pr simple

to emphasize strong feeling

pr simple

actions happening now

pr cont

actions happening around now

pr cont

temporary situations and series of actions

pr cont

changing and developing situations

pr cont

annoying or amusing habits (usually with always)

pr cont

background information in jokes or other stories

pr cont

the future (for arrangements)

pr cont

the future (in time clause 2)

pr cont

situations and states that started in the past and are still true

pr perfect simple

a series of actions continuing up to now

pr perfect simple

completed actions at a time in the past which is not important of relevant

pr perfect simple

completed actions where the important thing is the present result

pr perfect simple

actions completed recently

pr perfect simple

the future (in time clauses 3)

pr perfect simple

actions and situations continuing up to the present (or just before the present)

pr perfect continuous

the future (in time clauses 4)

pr perfect continuous