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Here is an overview of the present tenses in English. In English there are four present tenses: simple present, present perfect, present continuous, and present perfect continuous. The term present tense can be misleading because present tenses are also being used to talk about the past and the future. For example: the present perfect tense is used to talk about finished past events that are in some way connected to the present. The present continuous tense can be used to talk about our future plans. 1.The present simple tense The present simple tense is used to talk about our general truths and habits. It is formed with the base form of the infinitive. Form: Subject + first form of the verb + object • Bill writes stories. • Rabbits eat grass. • He drives to work. Questions and negatives are made with do and does. • He does not work. • Where does he work? • I do not like lemons. • Do you like fruit? Form: Use the base form of a verb, adding an /s/ to the end of the verb if the subject is singular. (Unless the verb is irregular where other rules may apply) Uses: • Use 1: Actions that are routine or habitual EXAMPLE: The sun rises. • Use 2: General, timeless facts EXAMPLE: Babies drink milk. • Use 3: Narrative style (used when recalling past events or announcing things that are happening in the moment) EXAMPLE: So, I go to the store yesterday, and the owner says, “We’re closed!” • Use 4: The “real” present (things that are happening right now), but ONLY when the verb is stative. Stative verbs deal with the way the subject is, instead of what the subject does. EXAMPLE: That bicycle looks old. 2. Present continuous tense The present continuous tense is used to talk about things that are happening now or at the moment of speaking. Form: Subject + is / am / are + -ing form • I am writing. • The doves are singing. • The wind is blowing. • It is raining. Questions are made by putting the auxiliary verb before the subject. • Are the doves singing? • Is he coming? Form: The present tense of “to be” (am/is/are) + verb + ing Uses: • Use 1: The “real” present (things that are happening right now), for all verbs except stative verbs EXAMPLES: I am sitting down right now. She can’t come to the phone because she is working. You can’t see the cats because they are hiding. • Use 2: Temporary actions that may not be happening right now, but have not yet been completed EXAMPLES: I am taking an English course. The motorbike is being repaired. Wedding plans are being made. 3. Present perfect tense The present perfect tense is used to talk about past events that have some bearing on the present. Form: Subject + has / have + past participle form of the verb • I have visited Thailand. • He has finished that report. • They have accepted the wedding invitation. Questions are made by putting the auxiliary verb before the subject. • Have you visited Thailand? • Has he finished that report? • Have they accepted the wedding invitation? Form: Have or has + past form of a verb Uses: • Use 1: Actions that started in the past, continue into the present, and may continue into the future EXAMPLES: The dogs have felt sick ever since they ate lunch. My neighbor has lived next door to me for a year. • Use 2: Separate actions that happened in the past and may happen again in the future EXAMPLES: That man has traveled overseas several times. We have eaten at that Thai restaurant once or twice. • Use 3: Recently completed actions that still influence things happening in the present EXAMPLES: The sun has risen, and you need to wake up. They have finished their teachers meeting, so now they can go. • 4. Present perfect continuous tense The present perfect continuous tense is used to talk about events and situations that started in the past and have continued up to the present. It is commonly used with the time expressions since and for. • I have been working on this course since morning. • It has been raining for five hours. • We have been living in this area for a year. Questions are made by putting has or have before the subject. • Have you been working on this course since morning? • Has it been raining for five hours? Form: Have or has + been + verb + ing Uses: • Use 1: Actions that started in the past, continue into the present, and may continue into the future EXAMPLES: The dogs have been feeling sick ever since they ate lunch. My neighbor has been living next door to me for a year.