The Present Simple Tense

Spelling Tip

In the present simple 3rd person singular (he, she, it), add s, es, or ies to the base form of the verb.

To regular verbs just add an s – Ex: travel >travels, give > gives, play >plays

To verbs that end in s, ss, sh, ch, x, and o, add an es – Ex: wash > washes, mix > mixes, go >goes

To verbs end in y after a consonant (any letter that isn’t a vowel), change the y to i and add es. Ex: study
> studies, fly > flies

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Sometimes the present simple tense doesn’t seem very simple. Here we will sort it all out for you!

We use the present simple tense to express the following ideas:

To state facts or general truths

To express habits or customs

To relate future plans (often regarding programs and timetables)

To tell jokes and stories or to report sporting events in real time.

Examples of the Present Simple

The sun sets in the west.

We produce lasers for cosmetic surgery.

They move into their new home next week.

So, I go to Mr. D and say “I deserve a better mark in this class”.

Jones stops in mid-court and passes the ball to Schuster.

Forming the Present Simple

Subject verb rest of sentence

I / You / We / They sleep late on Saturdays

He / She / It goes to the beach every weekend

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Time Expressions in the Present Simple

The most common time expressions in the present simple are: usually, always, never, on Wednesdays,
every Wednesday, twice a week, once a month, in general, every other day.

Time expressions made up of one word are placed between the subject and the verb in positive
sentences and questions and between the auxiliary verb and main verb in negative sentences.

I always study hard for exams.

Do you usually speak to him like that?

Time expressions made up of two or more words are placed either at the beginning or the end of a
sentence and usually at the end of questions.

Ben goes to football practice every Tuesday.

In general, I believe that all people can live in peace.

you go to the supermarket every week?

Negative Sentences in the Present Simple Tense

Spelling Tip

When shortening the 3rd person (he, she, it) negative, just remove the o in not and add an apostrophe
(‘) does not > doesn’t

When creating negative sentences, we usually use the auxiliary verbs don’t and doesn’t + the base form
of the verb.

Note: Save the long forms (do not, and does not) for when you want to create emphasis. When
speaking, put the stress on ‘not’.

Subject auxillery verb verb in base form rest of sentence

I / You / We / They don’t (do not) eat late at night

He / She / It doesn’t (does not) watch TV every day

I don’t like the food they serve at that restaurant.

Jim doesn’t work on Fridays.

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My friends don’t usually leave so early.

I do not want to go with you!

Yes/No Questions in the Present Simple

Punctuation Tip

Always begin a sentence, question and wh-question with a capital letter:

He always does good work.

Do you like me?

What did they bring you?

To create a question that will be answered with a yes or no, start the question with Do or Does, then
add a subject (the person or thing that does the action) followed by the base form of the verb and only
then add the rest of the sentence.

Auxiliary Verb subject verb in base form rest of sentence

Do I / you / we / they drive to the city on Mondays

Does he / she / it break down often

Do you surf the Internet every day?

Does your boss give you positive feedback?

Does Jonathan always turn off the lights?

Don’t you ever clean your room?

Note: In the Present Simple tense:

You may add a one-word time expression, such as ‘always’, ‘usually’, or ‘often’ between the subject and
the verb.

You may use a negative question with a time expression such as ‘ever’.

Wh-Questions in the Present Simple

Wh- questions are questions that require more information in their answers. Typical wh- words are
what, where, when, why, who, how, how many, how much.

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To create a wh-question, start with the wh-word, then add do or does, then the subject (a person or
thing that does the action), followed by the base form of the verb and only then add the rest of the
sentence.

Wh-Word Auxiliary Verb Subject Verb in Base Form Rest of Sentence

What do I / you / we / they want

Why does he / she / it shout at you

When do you want to meet me?

Why does Beth always complain so much?

How much does the ticket cost?

Why don’t you ever go on vacation?

Tag Questions in the Present Simple

Tag questions are those short questions that are tagged onto the end of a sentence. They are used just
to make sure the person you’re talking to understood what you meant or to emphasize what you said.

They’re formed either by using a regular sentence in the present simple and adding don’t or doesn’t and
a pronoun (I, you, we, they, he, she, it) and a question mark.

John likes me, doesn’t he?

All those girls speak French, don’t they?

You may also add a positive tag when you’re using a negative sentence.

Keisha doesn’t speak Spanish, does she

Those boys don’t play sports, do they?

As a rule: When the sentence is positive, the tag is negative.

When the sentence is negative, the tag is positive.

Exercises for the Present Simple

Fill in the correct form of the verb as in the examples.

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Mark and Sara play squash twice a week. (play)

Sheila doesn’t do the family accounts. (not do) Her husband does them.

Does Gillian usually meet clients so late at night? (meet)

Every year his family ____________ to Europe for two weeks. (go)

Tammy and Jen ______________ a Pilates class on Wednesday mornings. (take)

__________ that airline __________ to Paris? (fly)

The semester _____________ until the end of June. (not finish)

Tony usually _________ to call his mother in the mornings. (try)

_______________ for your car expenses? (Who/pay)

The shops ___________ until 21:00. (not close)

Gerard _________ the ball and __________ it into the net. (receive/kick)

_________times a day _____ you _____ your dogs for a walk? (take)

________ he always ________ his cell phone for long distance calls? (use)

Answers:

goestakeDoes/flydoesn’t finishtriesWho paysdon’t closereceives/kicksHow many/do/takeDoes/use

Examples – Present Simple

Positive

The sun sets in the west.

We produce lasers for cosmetic surgery.

They move into their new home next week.

So, I go to Mr. D and say “I deserve a better mark in this class”.

Jones stops in mid-court and passes the ball to Schuster.

I always study hard for exams.

Do you usually speak to him like that?

Ben goes to football practice every Tuesday.

In general, I believe that all people can live in peace.

Do you go to the supermarket every week?

Negative

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I don’t like the food they serve at that restaurant.

Jim doesn’t work on Fridays.

My friends don’t usually leave so early.

I do not want to go with you!

Yes/No Questions

Do you surf the Internet every day?

Does your boss give you positive feedback?

Does Jonathan always turn off the lights?

Don’t you ever clean your room?

Wh Questions

When do you want to meet me?

Why does Beth always complain so much?

How much does the ticket cost?

Why don’t you ever go on vacation?

Tag Questions

John likes me, doesn’t he?

All those girls speak French, don’t they?

Keisha doesn’t speak Spanish, does she?

Those boys don’t play sports, do they?

Would you like to learn more? Click here to learn how to properly use quotation marks

Present Continuous Tense – Uses

Present Continuous Tense also called present progressive tense, is used to describe actions that are
currently ongoing or that may occur in the future.

The present tense is usually used in four general cases:

To describe an event that is currently occurring.

For examples:

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I am watching television.

She is currently completing her work.

Children are playing in the park.

2. List upcoming events.

For examples:

What are you going to wear tomorrow?

I heard that you are coming to the evening party.

So, you are moving to Paris next month.

3. For lengthy actions that may be taking place for a temporary period only.

For examples:

He is learning to drive a car.

Salima is taking a spoken English course.

The teacher is learning a new language at the moment.

4. To discuss a new pattern or habit.

For examples:

These days almost all people are using mobile phones.

She is always running late with deadlines.

Nowadays people are using email rather than letters.

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Present Continuous Tense – Rules

Rules to be used while writing in the present continuous tense.

Use the helping verb appropriately. With third person singular ‘is’ will be used, with a plural noun or
pronoun ‘are’ will be used and with only ‘I’, ‘am’ will be used.

Add ‘-ing’ in the main action verb.

Note that like other pronouns in interrogative sentences, the pronoun ‘am’ cannot be used in the
negative form. “aren`t” is used instead of “amn`t”.

For examples:

Amn’t I reading the book? (wrong)

Ain’t/ aren’t I reading the book? (correct)

Present Continuous Tense – Examples Sentences

Here are some examples of Present Continuous Tense for the better understanding

Children are going to school. (Positive)

Children are not going to school. (Negative)

Are children going to school? (Interrogative)

Aren’t children going to school? (Negative interrogative)

The boys are playing in the park. (Positive)

The boys are not playing in the park. (Negative)

Are the boys playing in the park? (Interrogative)

Aren’t the boys playing in the park? (Negative interrogative)

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The baby is crying out loud. (Positive)

The baby is not crying out loud. (Negative)

Is the baby crying out loud? (Interrogative)

Ain’t the baby crying out loud? (Negative interrogative)

It is raining now. (Positive)

It isn’t raining now. (Negative)

Is it raining now? (Interrogative)

Isn’t it raining now? (Negative interrogative)

I am cooking pasta for lunch. (Positive)

I ain’t cooking pasta for lunch. (Negative)

Am I cooking pasta for lunch? (Interrogative)

Ain’t I cooking pasta for lunch? (Negative interrogative)

Miss Peters is teaching in the class. (Positive)

Miss Peters isn’t teaching in the class. (Negative)

Is Miss Peters teaching in the class? (Interrogative)

Isn’t Miss Peters teaching in the class? (Negative interrogative)

Present Continuous Tense – Exercises

After looking at all the examples given, you should have a really good idea of ​the present continuous
tense. Here is the exercise given below for a better understanding of the concepts:

Q. Fill in the blanks using the correct form of the verb given in the bracket:

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1. Janet …………………….. a special dish for her family. (cook)

2. I …………………………… them to complete the work on time. (expect)

3. The students ………………………… a poem on the stage. (recite)

4. The old man ……………………………. on his bed. (sleep)

5. The children ……………………………… sand castles on the beach. (make)

6. The birds ………………………………. on the trees. (sing)

7. The children ……………………………… mangoes. (pick)

8. I …………………………….. a portrait of a lady. (draw)

9. She ……………………….. French. (learn)

10. The kids …………………………. fruits. (eat)

Check your answers

Janet is cooking a special dish for her family. (cook)

2. I am expecting them to complete the work on time. (expect)

3. The students are reciting a poem on the stage. (recite)

4. The old man is sleeping on his bed. (sleep)

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5. The children are making sand castles on the beach. (make)

6. The birds are singing on the trees. (sing)

7. The children are picking mangoes. (pick)

8. I am drawing a portrait of a lady. (draw)

9. She is learning French. (learn)

10. The kids are eating fruits. (eat) Present Perfect Tense

What Is the Present Perfect Tense?

The present perfect tense is something which might seem complicated at first glance, but once you
understand the basic rules, it becomes much more simple. This tense is used to talk about an action
which began in the past but has continued into the present moment and is something that we see often
when using the English language.

The present perfect tense is used to describe:

1. an action or situation that began sometime in the past and continues into the present time.

2. an action performed during a period that has not yet completed.

3. a repeated activity in an unspecified time period between the past and the current time period.

4. an action that finished in the very recent past, expressed by ‘just’.

5. an action when the time is not important.

It is formed with a variant of the verb to have + the present participle (verb form ending in -ed).

The part that may confuse some readers is whether to use this present perfect verb tense (e.g. have
walked) or to use the simple past (e.g. walked).

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Simple Past

Used with adverbs that describe a time already past (e.g. I studied for the test on Sunday).

Used with an adverb that marks a specific point in time (e.g. I have studied today).

Present Perfect

Used with adverbs describing a time that started in the past and continues right up to the present time
(e.g. I have studied every day this week).

Used with an adverb that marks a specific point in time (e.g. I have studied today).

Used when speaking about an event that happened in the recent past (e.g. I have studied night after
night for this test).

In the next section are ten examples to demonstrate the various use cases described above. After that
are several exercises to provide practice identifying the different forms of the present perfect verb
tense. As always, a good way to continually reinforce this information is to try and identify this type of
verb while reading and always, always, always keep a dictionary or google search window handy.

Present Perfect Tense Structure

In English grammar, the present perfect is a combination of the present tense and perfect aspect that is
used to express a past event that has present consequences.

The structure of the Present Perfect (formula):

Affirmative Sentence

Subject + have/has + past participle

Example:

I have tried sushi before.

Negative Sentence

Subject + have not (haven’t)/has not (hasn’t) + past participle

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Example:

I have not tried sushi before.

Interrogative Sentence

Have/Has + subject + past participle?

Example:

Have you tried sushi before?

Examples of the Present Perfect Tense

My daughter has completed her math and reading homework assignments.

The gardener has planted all the seeds he is going to for the tomato season.

We have finished watching Star Wars and now we can start watching The Empire Strikes Back.

My company has banned remote work-from-home and now we all have to drive into the office every
day.

For the last two weeks, I have read a book a day and reviewed it for my website.

I have traveled back and forth to Japan once a month for the last year.

The cat has played with the ribbon for too long and now she just looks silly!

I have listened to all the PMP podcasts, and now I am ready to take the exam.

The trick-or-treaters have visited my house three times tonight and I’m not sure I can stay hidden any
longer.

My son has performed the same piano exercises for the last hour and I can’t get the sounds out of my
head!

How to Use the Present Perfect Tense?

The Present Perfect Tense Usage

The Present Perfect is used:

To express things you have done in your life

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Examples:

1. I’ve been to England. 2. You’ve gone to England.

She has never studied Japanese.

To express the number of times you have done something

Examples:

I’ve been to Paris three times.

How many times have you tried to call her?

To describe recently completed actions which are important now

Examples:

I have some bad news. I’ve lost my job.

I can’t play football tonight – I’ve hurt my leg.

To express situations that started in the past and are still true

Examples:

I’ve known James for 4 or 5 years.

She’s been the director of that company since 2007.

To describe unfinished actions or situations

Examples:

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I’ve known Julie for ten years. (I met her ten years ago and I still know her)

We have lived here since 2004.

To express the present result

Examples:

I’ve lost my keys.

John has missed the bus, so he’ll be late.

Time Adverbs in Present Perfect Tense

The present perfect tense is commonly used with the indefinite time adverbs (time expressions):

Just

Already

Yet

For

Since

Never

Ever

Still

Table of Contents

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

The present perfect tense is used in sentences to indicate an action that started in the recent past and is
still ongoing. It is also known as the present perfect progressive tense because the action progresses
from the past to the present.

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The meaning of the present perfect continuous tense is very close to the use of the present perfect
tense. However, there are some important differences that distinguish when and how the present
perfect tense is preferred.

Generally, we use the present perfect continuous tense to talk about something that started in the past
and is still happening today. Focus on what will happen, rather than what happened (or ended) at some
point in the past. You can also use the present perfect tense to emphasize the time that has passed
while something is happening, or that something is temporary. It can also be used when talking about
something that happened recently or something that was recently completed.

To prepare up to the mark for class 10 Join the Class 10 Preparation Batch

Present Perfect Continuous Tense – Formula

The present perfect continuous tense can be formed by using the formula given below.

Subject + have/has + been + present participle (verb+ing) + since/for (if needed) + the rest of the
sentence.

However, there are other things to be aware of. You should also learn how sentences are constructed
using the present tense of verbs when the verbs are positive, negative, interrogative, and negative
interrogative.

Look at the table below to get a better understanding of the structure of the present tense.

PositiveNegative Interrogative Negative Interrogative

Subject + have/has + been + present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence Subject +
have/has +not+ been+present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence Have/has + subject +
been+ present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence? Have/has + subject + not+been+
present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence?

(or)

Ain’t + subject +been+ present participle (verb+ing) + the rest of the sentence?

Examples

She has been watching a web series since morning.

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We have been working in the same company for two years.

Ben has been losing weight since his accident.

He has been saving money.

Examples

She has not been watching a web series since morning.

We have not been working in the same company for two years.

Ben has not been losing weight since his accident.

He has not been saving money.

Examples

Has she been watching a web series since morning?

Have we been working in the same company for two years?

Has Ben been losing weight since his accident?

Has he been saving money?

Examples

Has she not been watching a web series since morning?

Hasn’t/Ain’t she been watching a web series since morning?

Have we not been working in the same company for two years?

Haven’t/Ain’t we been working in the same company for two years?

Has Ben not been losing weight since his accident?

Hasn’t/Ain’t Ben been losing weight since his accident?

Has he not been saving money?

Hasn’t/Ain’t he been saving money?

Since and For – Uses

Since – Since is used when the exact point of time is given.

For example:

It has been raining since morning.

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In the above example, a particular time is given which is morning so we have used ‘since’.

For – For is used when the exact point of time is not given, a period of time is there.

For example:

I have been living there for a month.

In the above example, a particular time is not given, it can be a full month or half month so we have
used ‘for’ here.

Present Perfect Continuous Tense – Uses in Sentences

Commonly uses of Present Perfect Continuous Tenses are given below:

Present perfect Tense is used when the action started in the past and still continues.

The present perfect continuous tense is often used to talk about something that started in the past
(always “before”) and is still happening (unfinished) in the present. We usually indicate the duration of
the problem specifically with the preposition “for” or “since”. Sometimes different adverbs can be used.
In some cases, you don’t need to specify a period at all.

“I have been living in New York City.”

“I have been living in New York City for three years.”

“I have been living in New York City since I was 18.”

“I have been living in New York City all my life.”

Each of the examples above implicitly assumes that the speaker still lives in New York City. Only the
duration changes. In this usage, the present perfect continuous tense is almost identical in meaning to
the present perfect tense, and in fact, most of these examples make sense either way.

2. Present Perfect Tense is used to emphasize the length of the time.

The present perfect tense is especially useful for emphasizing the time that has passed while something
is happening. This is especially true when the sentence’s meaning can be expressed in the present
perfect tense.

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“They have studied for three weeks for this exam.” (present perfect)

“They have been studying for three weeks for this exam.” (present perfect continuous)

These differences are small but noticeable. In both examples, the present perfect tense emphasizes how
long the action has lasted and the fact that it is still happening. The present perfect tense simply states
the finished result and how long it took.

Present Perfect Continuous Tense – Rules

Like the present perfect tense, the present perfect continuous tense consists of an auxiliary verb and the
main verb. The only difference is that its two auxiliary and main verbs in the present participle form are
used instead of the auxiliary and main verbs in the past participle form. The auxiliary verbs used are
“have” or “has” and “been”. These verbs are followed by the present participle of the main verb, which
is formed by adding “ing” to the base verb.

Another fact to remember is that the auxiliary verbs ‘have’ and ‘has’ are used like the present perfect,
according to the pronoun or noun used in the sentence.

Difference between Present Perfect Tense and Present Perfect Continuous Tense

By the given table we will understand the difference between Present perfect Tense and Present Perfect
Continuous Tense

Present Perfect Tense Present Perfect Continuous Tense

The present perfect tense is used to describe actions or events that began and ended in the recent past
and also affect the present. The present perfect tense, on the other hand, is used to describe an
action or event that started in the recent past and is still ongoing at the time the speaker is referring to
it.

For Example:- She has worked in the school for 8 years. For example:- She has been working in the
school for eight years

The above sentence means that she has worked as a teacher for eight years and now works or does not
work as a teacher anymore. The above sentence means that she has been working as a teacher for
eight years and is still working as a teacher now.

Present Perfect Continuous Tense – Examples

Here are some examples given below for the better understanding of Present Perfect Continuous Tense

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You have not been telling truth.

He has been going to watch a movie.

She has been reading a book since morning.

Piyush has been studying for three hours.

They have been playing football since afternoon.

Where have you been cooking food?

He has been treating her wife like a princess.

She has been preparing for the competitive exam for three months.

I have been trying to learn the French language.

Ben has been playing a video game since 6 p.m.

Present Perfect Continuous Tense – Exercises

Assess yourself by doing the following exercise:

Fill the verbs into the correct form (present perfect progressive).

He (work)…………..in the same school since 2011.

I (wait) …………for you since four o’clock.

Curie (live) …………. in Brazil since 2000.

Why is he so tired? He (play) …………….cricket for five hours.

How long (learn / you) ………………. Yoga?

We (look for) ……………the shortcut for more than an hour.

I (live) ………………without water for two weeks.

The film (run / not) ………………for ten minutes yet, but there’s a commercial advertisement.

How long (work / she) ………………….in the kitchen?

She (not / be) ………………….in the cafe for more than an hour.... Read more at:
https://www.adda247.com/school/present-perfect-continuous-tense/

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