Present Tenses

Present Simple



Uses:



  • a situation permanent or long term.

We live on Sarriko.

She speaks Spanish.



  • facts or things always true.

Too much sun causes skin damage.



  • regular actions.

I catch the 8:30 bus every morning.



Adverbs of Frequency →how regularly an action happens.

  • 100% - Always

  • 90-95% - Usually/Normally

  • 70-80% - Often/Frequently

  • 50% - Sometimes/Occasionally

  • 10-20% - Rarely/Seldom/Hardly ever

  • 0% - Never



Before main verb or after verb to be or an aux.

I often go…

We are always…

I don’t usually…



Normally/usually,  frequently/(very/quite) often and  sometimes/occasionally

can be placed beginning sentence or clause.

Normally I take…, but occasionally I…



  • Schedule or timetabled events in future.

The exam starts at 10.30 tomorrow morning.




Present Continuous



Uses:



1.

  • talk about an activity in progress at the time of speaking.

I’m listening to music.



  • talk about an activity in progress.

We’re setting up a new school website.



  • talk about in process of changing.

Things are getting better.



  • talk about temporary situation.

Mr Dee is teaching us while Ms Flint is away.



  • with always to refer to a repeated action that annoys the speaker.

My brother is always borrowing my bicycle without my permission.



  • describe future arrangements.

I’m getting the 9.30 train tomorrow; I’ve reserved a seat.




2.

Usually don’t use present continuous with stative verbs

be, have, know, live, think and understand.

I have / Do you think…?



However, sometimes can be used with an active meaning.

I’m having dinner now. 

I wonder what he’s thinking about.




Present Perfect Simple



Use to talk about:



  • events that happened before the present time. The exact time not known or not important. Single event:

I’ve seen the James Bond film.

I’ve never eaten sushi.



several events:

I’ve been to America three times.



  • first/second/third etc. time an event has occurred. Comment in present.

This is the first time I’ve eaten Indian food.



  • common after superlatives.

Pierre is the nicest person I’ve ever met.



  • recent event with a relevance to the present.

The taxi’s just arrived. Hurry up!



  • events that occurred and have not finished yet. Time phrases this year/today/this morning.

Helen has eaten six chocolate bars this morning!



  • with just/yet/already/ever/never

The teacher hasn’t given us the results yet.

Have you ever done a bungee jump?



  • activities and situations began in the past and continue up to now. May or not continue in the future. Often involves stative verbs, be, have, know, live, think and understand.

For to introduce the time period and Since to introduce the moment the time period began.

I’ve known Katy for sixteen years. Por

My brother’s has his laptop since his birthday. Desde





Present Simple Continuous



Uses:



  • to refer to an activity that began in the past and still continues in the present. Emphasises the length of time spent. Use for and since.

I’ve been studying for two hours. I need a break.

She’s been reading since she got up this morning.



  • to refer to an activity that finished recently and has a result in the present.

I’ve been playing tennis and my arm aches.



  • to suggest that a situation or activity is temporary.

My mum’s ill so I’ve been looking after her.



PPS and PPC differences.



Continuous focuses on the activity, which may or not be completed.

I’ve been writing emails all morning.



Simple focuses on completed actions.

I’ve written about fifty emails this morning.



Continuous not used when the number of things that have been completed is mentioned.

  • to refer to a repeated action in the recent past with a result in the present. Focus isn’t on a single, prolonged activity but a series of actions.

I’ve been travelling a lot recently. I’m tired.