When Should I Use The Present Simple Tense?

We use the present simple tense in several different situations.

1. We use the present simple when something is generally true. For example:

• The sun rises in the east.

• People need food.
• It snows in winter.
• The sky isn't green.
• Plants die without water.
• Two and two make four.

2. We need to use this tense for a situation that we think is more or less permanent. (See
the present continuous for a temporary situation - one which we think won't last long):

• Where do you live?

• She works in a bank.
• They love coffee.
• She has three children.
• I am married.
• I don't like mushrooms.

3. The next use is for habits or things that we do regularly. We often use adverbs of
frequency (such as 'often', 'always' and 'never') in this case (also see the present
continuous for new, temporary or annoying habits):

• Do you smoke?
• I play tennis every Tuesday.
• We often go to the cinema.
• She gets up at seven o'clock every day.
• At the weekend, we usually go to the market.
• How often do you study English?
• I don't travel very often.
 4. We use the simple present to talk about what happens in books, plays, or films:

• The hero dies at the end of the film.

• A young woman travels through Europe, where she meets different people, and
finally falls in love.
• In this book, an army invades Britain.
• The main character is very pretty and works in a bookshop.

5. We use the present simple in the first and the zero conditionals:

• If it rains, we won't come.

• If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils.

6. Strangely, we can use this tense to talk about the future. When you are discussing a
timetable or a fixed plan, you can use this tense. Usually, the timetable is fixed by an
organisation, not by us:

• School begins at nine tomorrow.

• Our train leaves at eleven.
• What time does the film start?
• The plane doesn't arrive at seven, it arrives at seven thirty.
• When does the class finish?

7. We also use the present simple to talk about the future after words like ' 'when', 'until',
'after', 'before' and 'as soon as' in a future sentence:

• I will call you when I have time. (Not: 'will have')

• I won't go out until it stops raining.
• She'll come as soon as her babysitter arrives.
• I'm going to make dinner after I watch the news.
• I'll give you the book before you go.

8. We often need to use this tense with stative verbs (verbs which we don't use in continuous
tenses), in situations where we'd usually use the present continuous:

• This soup tastes great.

• You look fabulous.
• I think she is very pretty.
• I am cold.
• I promise I will help you.
 Present Simple Mixed Exercise 1 - other verbs
Make the present simple (choose positive, negative or question)
.

1. (he / drive to work every day)

________________________________________________________________________
2. (I / not / think you're right)
________________________________________________________________________
3. (we / have enough time?)
________________________________________________________________________
4. (I / eat cereal in the morning)
________________________________________________________________________
5. (they / write e-mails every day?)
________________________________________________________________________
6. (you / watch a lot of TV)
________________________________________________________________________
7. (he / not / read the newspaper)
________________________________________________________________________
8. (she / dance often?)
________________________________________________________________________
9. (where / I / come on Mondays?)
________________________________________________________________________
10. (what / you / do at the weekend?)
________________________________________________________________________
11. (you / not / drink much tea)
________________________________________________________________________
12. (how / he / travel to work?)
________________________________________________________________________
13. (they / not / like vegetables)
________________________________________________________________________
14. (she / catch a cold every winter)
________________________________________________________________________
15. (I / go out often?)
________________________________________________________________________
16. (you / speak English?)
________________________________________________________________________
17. (we / take the bus often)
________________________________________________________________________
18. (she / not / walk to school)
________________________________________________________________________
19. (what / you / buy in the supermarket?)
________________________________________________________________________
20. (how / he / carry such a heavy bag?)
 Present Simple Mixed Exercise 2 - other verbs
Make the present simple (choose positive, negative or question).

1. (they / wear suits to work?)

________________________________________________________________________
2. (he / not / say much)
________________________________________________________________________
3. (when / she / study?)
________________________________________________________________________
4. (she / know a lot about cooking)
________________________________________________________________________
5. (we / make dinner at the weekends)
________________________________________________________________________
6. (I / not / leave work on time very often)
________________________________________________________________________
7. (she / meet her brother every week?)
________________________________________________________________________
8. (they / find London's weather cold)
________________________________________________________________________
9. (we / use the computer every day?)
________________________________________________________________________
10. (you / not / smoke)
________________________________________________________________________
11. (why / we / always get into trouble?)
________________________________________________________________________
12. (what/ they / usually cook?)
________________________________________________________________________
13. (what / we / need?)
________________________________________________________________________
14. (they / not / win at tennis)
________________________________________________________________________
15. (what / they / like to watch on TV?)
_______________________________________________________________________
16. (I / do my homework every night)
_______________________________________________________________________
17. (why / she / swim every morning?)
_______________________________________________________________________
18. (you / walk to the station every day)
_______________________________________________________________________
19. (he / teach in a school?)
_______________________________________________________________________
20. (he / study English at a night class)
 Present Simple Mixed Exercise 3 - other verbs
Make the present simple tense (choose positive, negative or question)

1. (we / not / go out much)

________________________________________________________________________
2. (they / think it's a good idea)
________________________________________________________________________
3. (he / know how to play the violin?)
________________________________________________________________________
4. (why / I / have to clean up?)
________________________________________________________________________
5. (she / not / sleep late at the weekends)
________________________________________________________________________
6. (I / love studying languages?)
________________________________________________________________________
7. (we / not / believe the Prime Minister)
________________________________________________________________________
8. (you / understand the question?)
________________________________________________________________________
9. (she / not / want to go to the cinema)
________________________________________________________________________
10. (I / like trying new kinds of food)
_______________________________________________________________________
11. (David / want some coffee?)
________________________________________________________________________
12. (what / Lucy / do at the weekends?)
________________________________________________________________________
13. (they / not / work late on Fridays)
________________________________________________________________________
14. (she / have three daughters)
________________________________________________________________________
15. (you / own a car?)
________________________________________________________________________
16. (where / Alicia / work?)
________________________________________________________________________
17. (when / she / go to her Chinese class?)
________________________________________________________________________
18. (I / not / believe you)
________________________________________________________________________
19. (she / think about her holidays often)
________________________________________________________________________
20. (you / like going to restaurants?)
 Present Simple Form: 'Be' and other verbs - Mixed exercise 1

Make the present simple, positive, negative or question.

1. I _________________ (be) in a café now.

2. _________________ (she / play) tennis every week?
3. They _________________ (go) to the cinema every Wednesday.
4. _________________ (she / be) a singer?
5. You _________________ (find) the weather here cold.
6. _________________ (they / be) on the bus?
7. Lucy _________________ (ride) her bicycle to work.
8. Why _________________ (he / be) in France?
9. I _________________ (not / play) the piano often.
10. It _________________ (not / be) cold today.
11. We _________________ (be) from Portugal.
12. _________________ (we / make) too much noise at night?
13. Where _________________ (Harry / study)?
14. _________________ (it / be) foggy today?
15. We _________________ (not / be) late.
16. They _________________ (not / like) animals.
17. Where _________________ (you / be)?
18. He _________________ (not / be) an accountant.
19. _________________ (the dog / eat) chicken?
20. She _________________ (be) my sister.
 When should I use the Present Continuous?
Present uses

1. First, we use the present continuous for things that are happening at the moment of speaking.
These things usually last for quite a short time and they are not finished when we are talking about
them.

• I'm working at the moment.

• Please call back as we are eating dinner now.
• Julie is sleeping.

2. We can also use this tense for other kinds of temporary situations, even if the action isn't
happening at this moment.

• John's working in a bar until he finds a job in his field. (He might not be working now.)
• I'm reading a really great book.
• She's staying with her friend for a week.

Compare this with the present simple, which is used for permanent situations that we feel will
continue for a long time.

• I work in a school. (I think this is a permanent situation.)

• I'm working in a school. (I think this is a temporary situation.)

3. We can use the present continuous for temporary or new habits (for normal habits that continue
for a long time, we use the present simple). We often use this with expressions like 'these days' or 'at
the moment'.

• He's eating a lot these days.

• She's swimming every morning (she didn't use to do this).
• You're smoking too much.
4. Another present continuous use is for habits that are not regular, but that happen very often. In
this case we usually use an adverb like 'always', 'forever' or 'constantly'. Often, we use the present
continuous in this way to talk about an annoying habit. • You're forever losing your keys!
• She's constantly missing the train.
Future uses • Lucy's always smiling!

5. The next use is for definite future arrangements (with a future time word). In this case we have
already made a plan and we are pretty sure that the event will happen in the future.

• I'm meeting my father tomorrow.

• We're going to the beach at the weekend.
• I'm leaving at three.

We can't use this tense (or any other continuous tense) with stative verbs.
 Present Continuous All Forms Exercise 1

Make the present continuous. You can use the short form or the longer form. For example, 'she's' or
'she is'.

1. (she / go home now)

_________________________________________________________________________
2. (I / read a great book)
_________________________________________________________________________
3. (she / not / wash her hair)
_________________________________________________________________________
4. (the cat / chase mice?)
_________________________________________________________________________
5. (she / cry?)
_________________________________________________________________________
6. (he / not / study Latin)
_________________________________________________________________________
7. (we / drive to London?)
_________________________________________________________________________
8. (they / watch TV?)
_________________________________________________________________________
9. (where / she / go now?)
_________________________________________________________________________
10. (I / not / leave now)
_________________________________________________________________________
11. (you / not / run)
_________________________________________________________________________
12. (why / he / leave?)
_________________________________________________________________________
13. (how / I / travel?)
_________________________________________________________________________
14. (it / not / rain)
_________________________________________________________________________
15. (when / we / arrive?)
_________________________________________________________________________
 Present Continuous All Forms Exercise 2

Make the present continuous. You can use the short form or the longer form. For example, 'she's' or
'she is'.

1. (we / go to the cinema later)

________________________________________________________________________
2. (they / work now)
________________________________________________________________________
3. (you / not / walk)
________________________________________________________________________
4. (they / learn new things?)
________________________________________________________________________
5. (when / he / start work?)
________________________________________________________________________
6. (why / I / stay at home?)
________________________________________________________________________
7. (it / get dark?)
________________________________________________________________________
8. (we / not / win)
________________________________________________________________________
9. (they / not / bring a cake)
________________________________________________________________________
10. (the dog / not / play with a ball)
________________________________________________________________________
11. (why / it / rain now?
________________________________________________________________________
12. (how / she / travel?)
________________________________________________________________________
13. (where / you / work?)
________________________________________________________________________
14. (what / we / watch?)
_______________________________________________________________________
15. (you / meet your friend at four)
________________________________________________________________________
 Present Continuous All Forms Exercise 3

Make the present continuous. You can use the short form or the longer form. For example, 'she's' or
'she is'.

1. (I / be silly?)
_________________________________________________________________________
2. (they / not / read)
_________________________________________________________________________
3. (I / cook tonight)
_________________________________________________________________________
4. (he / see the doctor tomorrow?)
_________________________________________________________________________
5. (you / eat chocolate?)
_________________________________________________________________________
6. (what / you / do?)
_________________________________________________________________________
7. (we / make a mistake?)
_________________________________________________________________________
8. (you / come tomorrow)
________________________________________________________________________
9. (it / snow)
_________________________________________________________________________
10. (John / sleep at the moment)
_________________________________________________________________________
11. (he / not / dance)
_________________________________________________________________________
12. (how / they / get here?)
_________________________________________________________________________
13. (when / it / start?)
_________________________________________________________________________
14. (I / not / speak Chinese at the moment)
_________________________________________________________________________
15. (Jill / drink tea now?)
_________________________________________________________________________
 What's the difference?
Present Simple and Present Continuous

Present Simple Present

Present
Continuous
Continuous
Things which are always true: Things which are happening at the moment
• Water boils at 100 degrees. of speaking:
• The water is boiling now, so you can
put in the pasta.
Permanent situations (or nearly permanent; Temporary situations:
true for a few years at least): • Julie is living in Paris for a few
• Julie lives in London. months (usually she lives in London).

Situations which are slowly changing:

• I'm getting better and better at
speaking English.

Habits or things we do regularly: Temporary or new habits:

• I drink coffee every morning. • I'm drinking too much coffee these
days because I'm so busy at work.

Annoying habits (usually with 'always'):

• My flatmate is always leaving the
kitchen in a mess!
Future events which are part of a timetable: Definite future plans:
• My plane leaves at eight tonight. • I'm meeting John after class today.

To talk about the future after certain words

('when' 'until' 'after' 'before' 'as soon as'):
• I'll call you when I get home.
To talk about what happens in books, plays To talk about people in pictures and photos:
and films: • In this photo, my mother is
• At the end of the book, the walking beside a lake.
detective catches the killer.

Remember:

We use the present simple with stative verbs. We can't use any continuous tense (including
the present continuous tense, of course) with stative verbs.
 Present Simple or Present Continuous? Exercise 1

Choose the present simple or present continuous.

1. (You / come) _________________________________ tonight?

2. (He / eat) _________________________________ rice every day?
3. I (work) _________________________________ at the moment.
4. (He / come) _________________________________ to London often?
5. He (play) _________________________________ tennis now.
6. (You / come) _________________________________ to the cinema later?
7. They (not / come) _________________________________ to the party tomorrow.
8. He (not / play) _________________________________ golf now.
9. (You / play) _________________________________ tennis this Sunday?
10. They (go) _________________________________ to a restaurant every Saturday.
11. She (not / go) _________________________________ to the cinema very often.
12. You usually (arrive) _________________________________ late.
13. He normally (eat) _________________________________ dinner at home.
14. (You / study) _________________________________ every night?
15. (They / work) _________________________________ late usually?
16. You (not / go) _________________________________ out later.
17. I (not / work) _________________________________ tonight.
18. (She / work) _________________________________ at the moment?
19. I (not / drink) _________________________________ coffee very often.
20. Julie (sleep) _________________________________ now.
 Present Simple or Present Continuous? Exercise 2

Make the present simple or present continuous.

1. You (not / like) _________________________________ chocolate.

2. She (not / study) _________________________________ at the moment.
3. We often (go) _________________________________ to the cinema.
4. He usually (not / do) _________________________________ his homework.
5. They (not / eat) _________________________________ rice every day.
6. We (not / study) _________________________________ every night.
7. (You / like) _________________________________ spicy food?
8. (She / go) _________________________________ to Scotland often?
9. (He / eat) _________________________________ now?
10. We (go) _________________________________ to the cinema this weekend.
11. They (study) _________________________________ now.
12. I (clean) _________________________________ the kitchen every day.
13. She (work) _________________________________ every Sunday.
14. We (not / sleep) _________________________________ now.
15. He (not / go) _________________________________ to the park very often.
16. It (rain) _________________________________ a lot here.
17. I (go) _________________________________ on holiday tomorrow.
18. How long (she / stay) _________________________________ in London?
19. I often (read) _________________________________ at night.
20. We (not / drink) _________________________________ much wine.
 Present Simple or Present Continuous? Exercise 3

Choose the present simple or the present continuous. Watch out for stative verbs.

1. Julie ____________ (read) in the garden.

2. What ____________ (we / have) for dinner tonight?
3. She ____________ (have) two daughters.
4. I ____________ (stay) in Spain for two weeks this summer.
5. He often ____________ (come) over for dinner.
6. The class ____________ (begin) at nine every day.
7. What ____________ (you / eat) at the moment?
8. What ____________ (Susie / do) tomorrow?
9. I ____________ (not / work) on Sundays.
10. She ____________ (not / study) now, she ____________ (watch) TV.
11. How often ____________ (you / go) to restaurants?
12. I ____________ (not / go) on holiday this summer.
13. I'm sorry, I ____________ (not / understand).
14. She ____________ (work) as a waitress for a month.
15. She ____________ (take) a salsa dancing class every Tuesday.
16. It ____________ (be) cold here in winter.
17. Take your umbrella, it ____________ (rain).
18. This cake ____________ (taste) delicious.
19. The bag ____________ (belong) to Jack.
20. When ____________ (you / arrive) tonight?
 Stative Verbs List

Some verbs are only (or mostly) used in simple tenses, and are not used in continuous tenses.
An example of a simple tense is the present simple, or the past simple. An example of a
continuous tense is the present continuous or past continuous. These verbs are called stative,
or state verbs. A verb which isn't stative is called a dynamic verb, and is usually an action.
Often stative verbs are about liking or disliking something, or about a mental state, not about
an action.

Verb Correct Not Correct

agree She didn't agree with us. She wasn't agreeing with us.

appear It appears to be raining. It is appearing to be raining.

believe I don't believe the news. I am not believing the news.

belong This book belonged to my This book was belonging to my

grandfather. grandfather.

concern This concerns you. This is concerning you.

consist Bread consists of flour, water and Bread is consisting of flour, water
yeast. and yeast.

contain This box contains a cake. This box is containing a cake.

depend It depends on the weather. It's depending on the weather.

deserve He deserves to pass the exam. He is deserving to pass the exam.

disagree I disagree with you. I am disagreeing with you.

dislike I have disliked mushrooms for years. I have been disliking mushrooms
for years.

doubt I doubt what you are saying. I am doubting what you are saying.

feel (=have I don't feel that this is a good idea. I am not feeling that this is a good
an opinion) idea.
 fit This shirt fits me well. This shirt is fitting me well.

hate Julie's always hated dogs. Julie's always been hating dogs.

hear Do you hear music? Are you hearing music?

imagine I imagine you must be tired. I am imagining you must be tired.

impress He impressed me with his story. He was impressing me with his story.

include This cookbook includes a recipe This cookbook is including a recipe

for bread. for bread.

involve The job involves a lot of travelling. The job is involving a lot of travelling.

know I've known Julie for ten years. I've been knowing Julie for ten years.

like I like reading detective stories. I am liking reading detective stories.

surprise The noise surprised me. The noise was surprising me.

understand I don't understand this question. I'm not understanding this question.

want I want to go to the cinema tonight. I am wanting to go to the cinema

tonight.

weigh (=have This cake weighs 450g. This cake is weighing 450g.
weight)

wish I wish I had studied more. I am wishing I had studied more.

love I love chocolate. I'm loving chocolate.*

matter It doesn't matter. It isn't mattering.

mean 'Enormous' means 'very big'. 'Enormous' is meaning 'very big'.

measure (=be This window measures 150cm. This window is measuring 150cm.
long)

mind She doesn't mind the noise. She isn't minding the noise.

need At three o'clock yesterday I At three o'clock yesterday I was

needed a taxi. needing a taxi.

owe I owe you £20. I am owing you £20.

own She owns two cars. She is owning two cars.

prefer I prefer chocolate ice cream. I am preferring chocolate ice cream.

promise I promise to help you tomorrow. I am promising to help you tomorrow.

realise I didn't realise the problem. I wasn't realising the problem.

recognise I didn't recognise my old friend. I wasn't recognising my old friend.

remember He didn't remember my name. He wasn't remembering my name.

seem The weather seems to be improving. The weather is seeming to be

improving.

sound Your idea sounds great. Your idea is sounding great.

suppose I suppose John will be late. I'm supposing John will be late.
Some verbs can be both stative and dynamic:

be be is usually a stative verb, but when it is used in the continuous it

means 'behaving' or 'acting'
you are stupid = it's part of your personality
you are being stupid = only now, not usually

have have (stative) = own

I have a car
have (dynamic) = part of an expression
I'm having a party / a picnic / a bath / a good time / a break

see see (stative) = see with your eyes / understand

I see what you mean
I see her now, she's just coming along the road
see (dynamic) = meet / have a relationship with
I've been seeing my boyfriend for three years
I'm seeing Robert tomorrow

taste (also: taste (stative) = has a certain taste

smell, feel, This soup tastes great
look) taste (dynamic) = the action of tasting
The chef is tasting the soup

think think (stative) = have an opinion

I think that coffee is great
think (dynamic) = consider, have in my head
what are you thinking about? I'm thinking about my next holiday
 Present simple or Present continuous
Choose the present simple or present continuous (these verbs are sometimes stative):

1. She _____________ (have) a bath every evening.

2. My husband _____________ (always / taste) the food while I'm cooking! It's very
annoying.
3. A: Where's Luke?
B: He _____________ (see) the doctor now.
4. I _____________ (not / think) that's a good idea.
5. He _____________ (have) a party at the weekend.
6. This coffee _____________ (not / taste) right.
7. We _____________ (see) John and Susie next weekend.
8. What _____________ (you / think) about the war in Iraq?
9. She _____________ (have) a headache.
10. It _____________ (be) cold today.
11. They _____________ (not / have) a car.
12. I _____________ (not / see) anything, I can't work the telescope.
13. The waiter _____________ (taste) the wine now.
14. She _____________ (not / be) a doctor.
15. A: What _____________ (that child / do)?
B: He _____________ (be) silly.
16. _____________ (you / be) hungry? _____________ (you / want) a sandwich?
17. A: What _____________ (you / do)?
B: I _____________ (think) about my ex-boyfriend.
18. I _____________ (have) fun today!
19. I _____________ (see) Julie every Tuesday.
20. I _____________ (have) an idea!
21. A: Achoo!
B: Bless you! _____________ (you / have) a cold?
22. They often _____________ (see) a film on Fridays.
23. A: How's the cake?
B: It _____________ (taste) funny.
24. _____________ (you / have) a good time at the moment?
25. The chef always _____________ (taste) the food before he serves it.
26. A: Julie has been offered a new job.
B: Is she going to take it?
A: She _____________ (not / know). She _____________ (think) about it.
 When should we use the Present Perfect Simple?

Unfinished actions

1. We use this tense when we want to talk about unfinished actions or states or habits that started
in the past and continue to the present. Usually we use it to say 'how long' and we need 'since' or
'for'. We often use stative verbs.

• I've known Karen since 1994.

• She's lived in London for three years.
• I've worked here for six months.

'Since' and 'for'

We use 'since' with a fixed time in the past (2004, April 23rd, last year). The fixed time can be
another action, which is in the past simple (since I was at school, since I arrived).

• I've known Sam since 1992.

• I've liked chocolate since I was a child.
• She's been here since 2 pm.

We use 'for' with a period of time (two hours, three years, six months).

• I've known Julie for ten years.

• I've been hungry for hours.
• She's had a cold for a week.

Finished actions

2. Life experience. These are actions or events that happened sometime during a person
's life.
We don't say when the experience happened and the person needs to be alive now. We often use
the words 'ever' and 'never' here.

• I have been to Tokyo.

• They have visited Paris three times.
• We have never seen that film.

3. With an unfinished time word (this month, this week, today). The period of time is still
continuing.

• I haven't seen her this month.

• She's drunk three cups of coffee today.
• I've already moved house twice this year!

We CAN'T use the present perfect with a finished time word.

I've seen him yesterday.

 4. A finished action with a result in the present (focus on result). We often use the present perfect
to talk about something that happened in the recent past, but that is still true or important now.
Sometimes we can use the past simple here, especially in US English.

• I've lost my keys (so I can't get into my house).

• She's hurt her leg (so she can't play tennis today).
• They've missed the bus (so they will be late).

5. We can also use the present perfect to talk about something that happened recently, even if there
isn't a clear result in the present. This is common when we want to introduce news and we often
use the words 'just / yet / already / recently'. However, the past simple is also correct in these cases,
especially in US English.

• The Queen has given a speech.

• I've just seen Lucy.
• The mayor has announced a new plan for the railways.

'Been' and 'gone'

In this tense, we use both 'been' and 'gone' as the past participle of 'go', but in slightly
different circumstances.

We use 'been' (often when we talk about life experience) to mean that the person we're talking
about visited the place and came back.

• I've been to Paris (in my life, but now I'm in London, where I live).
• She has been to school today (but now she's back at home).
• They have never been to California.

We use 'gone' (often when we are talking about an action with a result in the present) to mean
that the person went to the place and is at the place now.

• A: Where's John? B: He's gone to the shops. (He's at the shops now.)
• Julie has gone to Mexico (now she's in Mexico).
• They've gone to Japan for three weeks (now they're in Japan).
 Present Perfect Mixed Exercise 1

Make the present perfect: positive, negative or question.

1. (you / keep a pet for three years)

_____________________________________________________________________
2. (you / come here before?)
_____________________________________________________________________
3. (it / rain all day?)
_____________________________________________________________________
4. (who / we / forget to invite?)
_____________________________________________________________________
5. (we / not / hear that song already)
_____________________________________________________________________
6. (he / not / forget his books)
_____________________________________________________________________
7. (she / steal all the chocolate!)
_____________________________________________________________________
8. (I / explain it well?)
_____________________________________________________________________
9. (who / he / meet recently?)
_____________________________________________________________________
10. (how / we / finish already?)
_____________________________________________________________________
11. (he / study Latin)
_____________________________________________________________________
12. (I / know him for three months)
_____________________________________________________________________
13. (where / you / study Arabic?)
_____________________________________________________________________
14. (what countries / they / visit in Europe?)
_____________________________________________________________________
15. (he / hurt his leg)
_____________________________________________________________________
16. (she / leave her phone in a taxi)
_____________________________________________________________________
17. (we / not / lose our tickets)
_____________________________________________________________________
18. (she / call her mother?)
_____________________________________________________________________
19. (he / take a taxi?)
_____________________________________________________________________
20. (she / go / to the library)
_____________________________________________________________________
 Present Perfect Mixed Exercise 2

Make the present perfect simple: positive, negative or question.

1. (she / pass the exam?)

_____________________________________________________________________
2. (you / eat lunch yet?)
_____________________________________________________________________
3. (he / read the newspaper today?)
____________________________________________________________________
4. (you / not / study French for ten years)
_____________________________________________________________________
5. (they / be in London for six months)
_____________________________________________________________________
6. (where / you / be?)
_____________________________________________________________________
7. (we / not / go to Paris)
_____________________________________________________________________
8. (she / not / see The Lord of the Rings)
_____________________________________________________________________
9. (he / not / meet my mother)
_____________________________________________________________________
10. (they / not / visit St. Paul's Cathedral yet)
_____________________________________________________________________
11. (what / she / eat today?)
_____________________________________________________________________
12. (why / you / do your homework already?)
_____________________________________________________________________
13. (how / she / make this fantastic cake?)
_____________________________________________________________________
14. (why / I / miss the plane?)
_____________________________________________________________________
15. (they / not / go to bed)
_____________________________________________________________________
16. (it / rain a lot this week)
_____________________________________________________________________
17. (they / use a credit card before?)
_____________________________________________________________________
18. (we / have enough to eat?)
_____________________________________________________________________
19. (she / not / play basketball before)
_____________________________________________________________________
20. (I / wear a kimono)
_____________________________________________________________________
 When should we use the Present Perfect Continuous?

Unfinished actions

1. To say 'how long' for unfinished actions which started in the past and continue to the present.
We often use this with 'for' and 'since'.

• I've been living in London for two years.

• She's been working here since 2004.
• We've been waiting for the bus for hours.

This use is very similar to how we use the present perfect simple, and often it's possible to use
either tense. Of course, with stative verbs, we can't use the present perfect continuous.

• I've been here for hours. NOT: I've been being here for hours.

2. For temporary habits or situations. The action started in the past and continues to the present in the
same way as with use number 1, but we don't answer the questions about 'how long' so clearly.
Instead, we use a word like 'recently'.

• I've been going to the gym a lot recently.

• They've been living with his mother while they look for a house.
• I've been reading a lot recently.

This is very similar to the use of the present continuous for temporary habits and often either tense is
possible.

Finished actions

3. Actions which have recently stopped (though the whole action can be unfinished) and have a
result, which we can often see, hear, or feel, in the present. We don't use a time word here.

• I'm so tired. I've been studying.

• I've been running, so I'm really hot.
• It's been raining, so the pavement is wet.

The present perfect simple has a very similar use, which focuses on the result of the action, whereas
the present perfect continuous focuses on the action itself. See my page about the difference between
the present perfect simple and the present perfect continuous for more explanation.
 Present Perfect Continuous Positive and Negative
Make the present perfect continuous positive or negative.

1. (she / work here for five years)

________________________________________________________________________
2. (I / study all day)
________________________________________________________________________
3. (you / eat a lot recently)
________________________________________________________________________
4. (we / live in London for six months)
________________________________________________________________________
5. (he / play football so he's tired)
________________________________________________________________________
6. (they / learn English for two years)
________________________________________________________________________
7. (I / cook so I'm really hot)
________________________________________________________________________
8. (she / go to the cinema every weekend for years)
________________________________________________________________________
9. (it / rain so the pavement is wet)
________________________________________________________________________
10. (you / sleep for twelve hours)
________________________________________________________________________
11. (I / not / work today)
________________________________________________________________________
12. (you / not / eat well recently)
________________________________________________________________________
13. (we / not / exercise enough)
________________________________________________________________________
14. (she / not / study)
________________________________________________________________________
15. (they / not / live here for very long)
________________________________________________________________________
16. (it / not / snow)
________________________________________________________________________
17. (he / not / play football for five years)
________________________________________________________________________
18. (we / not / drink enough water. That's why we feel tired)
________________________________________________________________________
19. (I / not / sleep. I was reading)
_______________________________________________________________________
20. (they / not / watch TV much recently)
________________________________________________________________________
 Present Perfect Continuous
Make the present perfect continuous 'yes / no' questions.

1. (she / run much recently?)

__________________________________________________________________
2. (it / rain?)
__________________________________________________________________
3. (he / work today?)
__________________________________________________________________
4. (I / talk a lot?)
__________________________________________________________________
5. (we / eat too much?)
__________________________________________________________________
6. (they / live here for a long time?)
__________________________________________________________________
7. (Julie / work in this company for more than five years?)
__________________________________________________________________
8. (you / study English for a long time?)
__________________________________________________________________
9. (I / do too much recently?)
__________________________________________________________________
10. (we / go out with each other for three years already?)
__________________________________________________________________

Make the present perfect continuous 'wh-' questions.

11. (how long / you / study Japanese?)

__________________________________________________________________
12. (where / she work?)
__________________________________________________________________
13. (how long / she / play tennis?)
__________________________________________________________________
14. (what / they / drink?)
__________________________________________________________________
15. (how long / you / live here?)
__________________________________________________________________
16. (what / the child / eat?)
__________________________________________________________________
17. (how long / he / work in the bank?)
__________________________________________________________________
18. (where / she / buy food?)
__________________________________________________________________
19. (how long / we / wait for the bus?)
__________________________________________________________________
20. (what / you / do all day?)
__________________________________________________________________
 What's the difference?
Present Perfect Simple and Present Perfect Continuous

We use both of these tenses for finished and unfinished actions.

The present perfect simple can be used (often with 'since' and 'for') to talk about unfinished
actions that started in the past and are still true in the present. It's often used with stative
verbs:

• I've known John for three years.

The present perfect continuous can also be used (often with 'since' and 'for') to talk about
unfinished actions that started in the past and are still true in the present. (Of course, we don't
use the present perfect continuous with stative verbs):

• She's been living here for three years.

Sometimes there's really no difference in meaning between the two tenses. This is especially
the case with verbs such as 'live', 'work' and 'study':

• They've lived in London since 2004.

• They've been living in London since 2004.

• I've studied French for ten years.

• I've been studying French for ten years.

• He's worked at the company since 2009.

• He's been working at our company since 2009.
Sometimes, there is a difference in meaning:

1. The present perfect continuous can be used to emphasise the length of time that has passed.
The present perfect simple is generally neutral:

• They've been waiting for hours! (This emphasises the length of time).
• They've waited for hours. (This doesn't emphasise the length of time).

2. On the other hand, the present perfect simple is often used when we're talking about how
much or how many. This isn't possible with the present perfect continuous:

• She's drunk three cups of coffee this morning.

• She's drunk at least a litre of coffee today.
• (NOT: she's been drinking three cups of coffee this morning.)

3. The present perfect continuous often focuses on the action itself, while the present perfect
simple focuses on the fact that the action is completed:

• I've been reading the book you recommended. (I'm enjoying it, but I'm not finished).
• I've read the book you recommended. (I've finished it, so we can talk about it).

We use 'yet' and 'already' with the present perfect simple:

• Have you read the book yet?

• She's finished her work already.

This difference is often used to talk about different kinds of results in the present. The present
perfect simple is used when the action is finished, and the result comes from the action being
finished:

• I've eaten dinner, so let's go out.

• She's done all her homework, so she can relax this evening.
• I've made a cake. Would you like some?
The present perfect continuous is used when the result comes from the action itself. It doesn't
matter if the whole action is finished or not. The result is often something we can see, hear,
smell, or feel:

• I've been eating dinner, so there are plates all over the table.
• She's been doing her homework, so she's tired.
• I've been making a cake, that's why the kitchen is such a mess.

4. Finally. the present perfect continuous can be used to emphasise that something is
temporary:

• She's been running a lot recently. (She doesn't usually do this).

• Usually I study at home, but I've been studying in the library for the last week.
 Present Perfect Simple or Present Perfect Continuous Exercise 1

Make either the present perfect simple or present perfect continuous.

1. ___________________ (they / arrive) already?

2. Lucy ___________________ (run) 2000 metres today.

3. I ___________________ (clean) all morning – I'm fed up!

4. How long ___________________ (you / know) Simon?

5. I ___________________ (drink) more water lately and I feel better.

6. Sorry about the mess! I ___________________ (bake).

7. How many times ___________________ (you / take) this exam?

8. He ___________________ (eat) six bars of chocolate today!

9. Julie ___________________ (cook) dinner. Let's go and eat!

10. The students ___________________ (finish) their exams. They're very happy.

11. The baby's face is really dirty! What ___________________ (he / eat)?

12. Iona is exhausted these days. She ___________________ (work) too hard recently.

13. Luke ___________________ (never / be) abroad.

14. I ___________________ (wait) for three hours already!

15. ___________________ (you / finish) your homework yet?

16. How long ___________________ (you / be) a lawyer?

17. I ___________________ (read) your book all day. It's very interesting, but I'm only

on chapter 2.

18. She ___________________ (drink) ten glasses of water!

19. I ___________________ (have) my dog for sixteen years.

20. Help! I ___________________ (lose) my wallet! How can I get home?

 Present Perfect Simple or Present Perfect Continuous Exercise 2

Make either the present perfect simple or present perfect continuous.

1. I ___________________ (not / do) the housework yet.

2. They ___________________ (study) very hard recently.
3. She ___________________ (promise) to help many times.
4. He ___________________ (clean) the kitchen. Everything is sparkling clean.
5. She ___________________ (write) her essay and ___________________ (send) it to
her professor.
6. He ___________________ (see) the film The King's Speech about six times.
7. We ___________________ (paint) our living room. I think it looks a lot better.
8. She ___________________ (take) French lessons lately.
9. It ___________________ (not / rain) for three hours! Only about one hour.
10. Lucy ___________________ (already / leave).
11. How many times ___________________ (you / visit) Scotland?
12. I ___________________ (call) John for hours and hours and he hasn't answered. I'm
really angry with him!
13. I ___________________ (be) in London for three years.
14. We ___________________ (know) James for ages.
15. It's really smelly in here. ___________________ (somebody / smoke)?
16. How much petrol ___________________ (she / buy)?
17. She ___________________ (eat) chocolate all morning, so she feels sick.
18. I ___________________ (paint) my house all day, but it's not finished yet.
19. Julie ___________________ (be) at the office since 6am.
20. The writer ___________________ (deserve) this award for a long time.
 Present Perfect Simple or Present Perfect Continuous Exercise 3

Make either the present perfect simple or present perfect continuous.

1. ___________________ (you / buy) your train ticket yet?

2. The kitchen is a complete mess! What ___________________ (the children / do)?
3. Julie ___________________ (learn) to drive for six years!
4. Amanda ___________________ (already / have) lunch, so she'll meet us later.
5. How much coffee ___________________ (she / drink) this morning?
6. Simon ___________________ (write) three books.
7. I ___________________ (do) everything I needed to do today! Hurray!
8. It ___________________ (not / rain) all summer, so the garden is dead.
9. I ___________________ (read) your book. Here it is, thank you.
10. She ___________________ (forget) how to get to my house.
11. I ___________________ (work) in the garden all day and I need a rest.
12. She ___________________ (make) three cakes. They look delicious!
13. David feels great these days. He ___________________ (get) up early lately.
14. We ___________________ (always / hate) rush hour traffic.
15. Recently, I ___________________ (study) a lot. My exams are in a few weeks.
16. We ___________________ (write) this book for months and months.
17. I ___________________ (always / love) chocolate.
18. I ___________________ (want) to go back to university for a long time.
19. What's that delicious smell? ___________________ (you / cook)?
20. I ___________________ (watch) seven films this week!
 When should we use the Past Simple?

This is the basic past tense. We use it whenever we want to talk about the past and we don't have any
special situation that means we should use the past perfect, present perfect, past continuous etc.

Finished actions, states or habits in the past

1. We use it with finished actions, states or habits in the past when we have a finished time
word (such as yesterday, last week, at 2 o'clock, in 2003).

• I went to the cinema yesterday.

• We spent a lot of time Japan in 2007.

2. We use it with finished actions, states or habits in the past when we know from general
knowledge that the time period has finished. This includes when the person we are talking
about is dead.

• Leonardo painted the Mona Lisa.

• The Vikings invaded Britain.

3. We use it with finished actions, states or habits in the past that we have introduced with the
present perfect or another tense. This is sometimes called 'details of news'.

• I've hurt my leg. I fell off a ladder when I was painting my bedroom.
• I've been on holiday. I went to Spain and Portugal.

4. For stories or lists of events, we often use the past simple for the actions in the story and
the past continuous for the background.

• He went to a café. People were chatting and music was playing. He sat
down and ordered a coffee.

Unreal or imaginary things in the present or future

5. We use the past simple to talk about things that are not real in the present or future. So we
use it with the second conditional and after words like 'wish'.

• If I won the lottery, I would buy a house.

• I wish I had more time!
 Past Simple with 'Be'
Make the past simple.

1. (I / be / at the cinema last night.)

________________________________________________________________________
2. (the children / be / naughty?)
________________________________________________________________________
3. (we / be / in a cafe when you called.)
________________________________________________________________________
4. (I / be / late?)
________________________________________________________________________
5. (she / be / a teacher when she was young.)
________________________________________________________________________
6. (where / we / be?)
________________________________________________________________________
7. (you / be / okay?)
________________________________________________________________________
8. (we / be / too tired?)
________________________________________________________________________
9. (how / the party / be?)
________________________________________________________________________
10. (they / be / late for the interview.)
________________________________________________________________________
11. (you / be / in the garden.)
________________________________________________________________________
12. (what / his name / be?)
________________________________________________________________________
13. (it / not / be / cold.)
________________________________________________________________________
14. (she / be / beautiful?)
________________________________________________________________________
15. (she / not / be my wife at the time.)
________________________________________________________________________

16. (he / be / hungry.)

________________________________________________________________________
17. (why / you / be / late?)
________________________________________________________________________
18. (you / not / be / early.)
________________________________________________________________________
19. (they not / be / in love.)
________________________________________________________________________
(we / not / be / in China.)
________________________________________________________________________
 What's the Difference? Present Perfect and Past Simple

Present Perfect Simple Past Simple

Unfinished actions that started in the past and Finished actions:
continue to the present:
• I knew Julie for ten years (but then she
• I've known Julie for ten years (and I moved away and we lost touch).
still know her).

A finished action in someone's life (when the A finished action in someone's life (when the
person is still alive: life experience): person is dead):

• My brother has been to Mexico • My great-grandmother went to Mexico

three times. three times.

A finished action with a result in the present: A finished action with no result in the present:

• I've lost my keys! (The result is that • I lost my keys yesterday. It was

I can't get into my house now). terrible! (Now there is no result. I got
new keys yesterday).

With an unfinished time word (this week, With a finished time word (last week, last
this month, today): month, yesterday):

• I've seen John this week. • I saw John last week.

Remember:

1. We use the past simple for past events or actions which have no connection to the present.

2. We use the present perfect for actions which started in the past and are still happening now
OR for finished actions which have a connection to the present.

3. We CAN'T use the present perfect with a finished time word: NOT: I've been to the
museum yesterday.
 When should we use the Past Continuous (also called the Past Progressive)?

1. An action in the past which overlaps another action or a time. The action in the past
continuous starts before and often continues after the other shorter action or time.

• I was walking to the station when I met John. (I started walking before I met John,
and maybe I continued afterwards.)
• At three o'clock, I was working. (I started before three o'clock and finished after three
o'clock.)

2. In the same way, we can use the past continuous for the background of a story. (We often use
the past simple for the actions.) This is really a specific example of Use 1.

• The birds were singing, the sun was shining and in the cafés people were laughing
and chatting. Amy sat down and took out her phone.

3. Temporary habits or habits that happen more often than we expect in the past. We often use
'always', 'constantly' or 'forever' here. This is the same as the way we use the present continuous
for habits, but the habit started and finished in the past. This thing doesn't happen now.

• He was always leaving the tap running.

• She was constantly singing.

4. To emphasise that something lasted for a while. This use is often optional and we usually use it
with time expressions like 'all day' or 'all evening' or 'for hours'.

• I was working in the garden all day.

• He was reading all evening.

Remember, you can't use this tense or any continuous tense with stative verbs.
 Past Continuous Mixed Exercise 1
Make the past continuous.

1. (he / cook)
________________________________________________________________________
2. (she / play cards?)
________________________________________________________________________
3. (I / not / cry)
________________________________________________________________________
4. (you / not / feel well)
________________________________________________________________________
5. (where / I / go when I met you?)
________________________________________________________________________
6. (she / not / sleeping at midnight)
________________________________________________________________________
7. (I / work?)
________________________________________________________________________
8. (you / sleep when I got home?)
________________________________________________________________________
9. (it / rain at lunchtime)
________________________________________________________________________
10. (what / you / do?)
________________________________________________________________________
11. (why / she / run?)
________________________________________________________________________
12. (you / not / read)
________________________________________________________________________
13. (how / we / do at that time?)
________________________________________________________________________
14. (he / not / watch a film at 3pm)
________________________________________________________________________
15. (I / do my homework at eight o'clock)
________________________________________________________________________
16. (where / it / rain?)
________________________________________________________________________
17. (you / shop when I called you)
________________________________________________________________________
18. (she / eat dinner when we arrived)
________________________________________________________________________
19. (he / live in Tokyo at the time?)
________________________________________________________________________
20. (it / rain?)
________________________________________________________________________
 Past Continuous Mixed Exercise 2
Make the past continuous.

1. (they / take the exam?)

________________________________________________________________________
2. (when / he / work there?)
________________________________________________________________________
3. (you / make dinner?)
________________________________________________________________________
4. (they / drink coffee when you arrived?)
________________________________________________________________________
5. (when / we / sleep?)
________________________________________________________________________
6. (they / study last night)
________________________________________________________________________
7. (we / talk when the accident happened)
________________________________________________________________________
8. (he / not / exercise enough)
________________________________________________________________________
9. (I / talk too much?)
________________________________________________________________________
10. (it / not / snow)
________________________________________________________________________
11. (how / they / feel?)
________________________________________________________________________
12. (they / not / talk)
________________________________________________________________________
13. (where / I / stay?)
________________________________________________________________________
14. (why / he / study on a Saturday night?)
________________________________________________________________________
15. (I / go to school when you saw me)
________________________________________________________________________
16. (you / sleep at 6am)
________________________________________________________________________
17. (she / work when I called)
________________________________________________________________________
18. (we / not / leave when you called)
________________________________________________________________________
19. (I / not / stay in a hotel)
________________________________________________________________________
20. (we / make too much noise?)
________________________________________________________________________