Unit 1 – Present tenses

It’s easier to understand when we

use the different present tenses if we
compare them.
Let’s look at:
1. The present simple and the present continuous.
2. The present perfect simple and the present perfect continuous.

When do we use them?

Pearson © 2021 Formula

 Function: When do we use them?
1. present simple vs present continuous
Yes! I usually work out in the
evenings. At the moment, they are
Do you still train renovating the gym in my block of
every day? flats, so I’m going to the one at the
community centre. People are always
playing in the pool! I can’t wait until
my gym opens again!

Take notice of the

Which 2 actions in the girl’s
tenses used
answer refer to ones which
here…
are true right now/only
It’s a
temporary?
repeated
action.
Look at this sentence: People Look at this sentence: I usually
are always playing in the pool. work out in the evenings. Is this a 1. They are
Is this a single or repeated repeated action/habit or renovating the gym
It’s
action? How does the girl feel something happening now? 2. I’m going to the
annoying.
about it? one at the
community centre.
A repeated
action/habit
Pearson © 2021 Formula
 Something to consider…
Look at the
At the moment, I have a knee injury,
continuation of the
so I can’t train.
conversation.

This sentence talks

about a temporary
1. We do not use state verbs in the continuous structures. They are
action, but notice
always in the simple tenses. that it is in the
present simple, not
2. We can also use time expressions to describe actions happening continuous. This is
now or around now with state verbs in the present simple. because have in this
context is a state,
3. Some verbs can be state verbs or action verbs depending on not action verb.
the context. E.g.
I was thinking about Laura when she walked in.
Think here is an action verb. You can imagine the speaker’s brain
working.
I think he’s German. When do we use the
present perfect simple
Think here is a state verb meaning the same as believe. and continuous?
Pearson © 2021 Formula
 Function: present simple and continuous
When do we use them?

I live in Lisbon, but I’m staying with a friend in the countryside at the moment
because I’m repainting my apartment. I’m from the UK, so I usually visit my
parents in London every three months.

Look at what the present simple present continuous

woman says for habits/repeated for actions happening
for permanent states for temporary states
and match the actions now or around now
sentences in
bold to the uses. I live in I usually visit my I’m staying with a I’m repainting my
Lisbon. parents in London friend in the apartment.
every three countryside.
months.

Pearson © 2021 Formula

 Function: When do we use them?
2. present perfect simple and present perfect continuous Match the uses to the
examples.

present perfect simple present perfect continuous

I’ve known Tim for three years. Laura has been speaking English since she was born.

You’ve bought a new car! I’ve been renovating the house – doesn’t it look great!

I’ve travelled a lot. I’ve been searching for the email address all morning!

I’ve already finished my homework.

With
To
A
An
Recently
For
recent
state
emphasise
action
actions
adverbs
that
past
finished
that
which
started
continuous
like
the
started
actions/those
already,
happened
long
in the
induration
the
action
past
yet,
past
atnever,
and
an
with
with
ofand
unspecified
an
continues
aa
and
continues
activity.
present
present
ever.to
time.
result.
result.
to
now.
now.

Pearson © 2021 Formula

 Function: When do we use them?
2. present perfect simple and present perfect continuous

present perfect simple present perfect continuous

I’ve known Tim for three years. Laura has been speaking English since she was born.
A state that started in the past and continues now. An action that started in the past and continues now.

You’ve bought a new car! I’ve been renovating the house – doesn’t it look great!
Recently finished actions/those with a present result. A continuous action in the recent past with a present result.

I’ve travelled a lot. I’ve been searching for the email address all morning!
For actions which happened at an unspecified past time. To emphasise the long duration of an activity.

I’ve already finished my homework.

With adverbs like already, yet, never, and ever.

Pearson © 2021 Formula

 Function: When do we use them?
2. present perfect simple and present perfect continuous

present perfect simple

Let’s review the
uses of these
I’ve already finished my homework. adverbs...
With adverbs like already, yet, never, and ever.

ever: To ask about general past experiences or with never: replaces ‘not’ when referring to general past
superlative structures. E.g. It’s the biggest car I’ve ever experiences. E.g. I’ve never eaten sushi = I haven’t
owned; Have you ever been to Berlin? eaten sushi.

already: To emphasise an action was completed in the yet: to say an action wasn’t completed in the past, but
past without mentioning a specific time. E.g. He has indicate it probably will be soon. E.g. She hasn’t eaten
already eaten. yet.

How do we form the

Pearson © 2021 Formula present tenses?
 Form: How do we make these structures?
Look at the example for the present
simple. Work out the breakdown of
form for the other three tenses.

present simple present continuous present perfect simple present perfect continuous

+ Subject + verb in present + Subject + am/are/is + verb - + Subject + have/has + past + Subject + have/has + been +
simple ing participle verb -ing

- Subject + do/does + not + - Subject + am/are/is + not + - Subject + have/has + not + - Subject + have/has + not +
verb bare infinitive verb -ing past participle been + verb -ing

? (Question word) + do/does ? (Question word) + am/are/is ? (Question word) + have/has ? (Question word) + have/has
+ subject + verb bare infinitive + subject + verb –ing + subject + past participle + subject + been + verb -ing

Remember that we commonly use In connected speech, this is

contractions, e.g. don’t, haven’t, isn’t. pronounced /bɪn/, not /bi:n/.
Let’s practise!
Pearson © 2021 Formula
Practice activities
Use the correct present form of the verbs in brackets to complete the gaps. Justify your
choices.
has/’s had
1. Susan …………………………………. runs (run) perfectly!
(have) the same car for 16 years, and it always …………

2. A. You look exhausted! have/’ve been showing

B. I am! I …………………………………………… (show) my nephew and niece around the
have just got back
city all day and I ………………………………………….. (just/get back).

Has Michael already spoken (Michael/already/speak) to Jenny about her birthday?

3. A. ………………………………….……………
knows
B. I think so because she …………………. (know) about the plan to have a picnic next Saturday.

4. A. Sarah got a new coat from the shop on the corner today.
have/’ve bought (buy) a coat from there before, too. They’re good quality.
B. I …………………………..

is/’s always copying (always/copy) me!

5. I hate it when Timmy asks to see my homework. He ………………………………..

have/’ve been trying

6. Where have you been!? I …………………………………………..…… (try) to call you for hours!

Pearson © 2021 Formula

USEFUL LINKS

Present Simple vs Present Continuous

https://www.slideshare.net/MJSIMOES/present-simple-vs-present-continuous-english-language

Exercises
https://test-english.com/grammar-points/b1/present-simple-present-continuous/2/

Game
https://www.baamboozle.com/game/472954