Present Tense

by Kru Airy

Present Tenses by Kru Airy



1. Simple present S+V.1

1. Use the simple present to talk about habits, routines, and facts: I check my emails when I get home from school. My friends exercise every day. The sun rises in the east. Water freezes at zero degrees.

2. Use adverbs of frequency such as usually, always, hardly ever, and expressions of frequency such as every day, daily, weekly, monthly, annually, from time to time, and once a week with the simple present:

She usually chats online in the evenings. Laura brushes her teeth twice a day. I wake up at noon every Saturday. They brush their teeth every morning and night. I occasionally drink wine. I never wake up before 5 am. I rarely ride my bike. My office has a holiday party annually.

Affirmative Simple Sentence He lives in Phuket. Jimmy goes to school everyday. Negative Simple Sentence She doesn't have a bath every day. He doesn't do the same thing every day. Interrogative Simple Sentence Where does Peter come from? What sports does John like? Do they speak English?

2. Present progressive/ Present continuous S + is/am/are + V.ing

1. Use the present progressive to talk about things in progress now or around now: The waves are crashing onto the beach. Anne is writing a new book. She is building a new business in Bangkok.

2. Use time expressions such as now, right now, at the moment, and these days with the present progressive: Her parents are waiting for her right now. Are you still living in Hawaii these days? He is waking up early these days.

3. Use the present progressive to talk about temporary or changing situations: The temperature's rising. It's getting really hot.

4. Use the present progressive with always to criticize someone's habits: My sister's always borrowing my clothes. He is always getting up late.

5. Even though it is a present tense, the present progressive tense can also be used to describe an activity that is going to happen in the future (especially for planned activities). For example: We are moving to New Zealand in the summer. The train is arriving in 2 minutes. I’m going to the dentist on Tuesday at 10am. You’re looking after the kids tonight.

Affirmative Mike is staying with his sister at the moment. He‘s having a party this Friday. Negative The machine isn’t working. You aren't cleaning the room now. Interrogative What are the children doing? What time are you leaving? Is she reading a book?

3. Present perfect S + have/has+ V.3

1. Use the present perfect with ever, never for past actions when you don't say an exact time: Have you ever been at sea during a storm? I've never seen such strong winds before. They have never washed the car.

You’ve never got up late. Have you ever seen pandas? Have you ever been to London?

2. Use the present perfect for recently completed actions with just, already, recently and yet. The students have just finished their homework. She has already had lunch. Has he finished the work yet? Not yet. Have you found your keys yet? Jane's recently taken on a lot of new work.

3. Use the present perfect with since, for, ever since, so far, up to now, up to the present for actions in a period that started in the past and continue to now: Has she studied English since July? A boy has played football since 3 o’clock.

It has rained for three hours. He’s worked in the garden since 8 o’clock. I have lived here for 5 years. He was elected in 2000 and has been president ever since. What have you done so far with your project?

Affirmative My company recently started building a new office. Someone has broken my heart. Negative Nick has not read the book yet. He hasn’t been to Japan. Interrogative Have you ever gone to London before? Have you eaten yet? Where have you been?

4. Present perfect progressive/ Present perfect continuous S + have/has been + V.ing

1. Use the present perfect progressive with time expressions such as recently, lately, and all day/afternoon/week to describe actions in progress recently:

I've been watching the waves from my window all morning. She has been waiting for you all day. It has been raining all day. It is still raining right now. How long have you been working for the company? How long have you been living in New York?

2. Use the present perfect progressive with for, since for actions in progress from a time in the past until now:

I've been working on this report since eight o'clock this morning. I have been working for two hours. People have been leaving the town since this morning. He has been watching TV since 8 p.m. She hasn’t been washing clothes since she came back.

Affirmative She's been training for a half-marathon. I have been talking to you for 2 hours. Negative Marie hasn't been swimming for 30 minutes. Steve and Mike haven't been travelling around the world for months. Interrogative What have you been doing since I left? Has he been cooking for 3 hours?



1. Does the pen__________ to you ? 1. belong 2. is belonging 3. belonging 4. belonged

2. The petrified forest of eastern Arizona are(1) made up of tree trunks(2) that were buried in mud, sand, or volcanic ash ages ago(3) and have turned to stone(4) .

3. Scientists finding(1) out that the universe is even(2) larger and more complex(3) than anyone has ever imagined(4) .

4. The blood(1) carries oxygen to a parts(2) of the body and(3) returns carbon dioxide to(4) the lungs.

5. It is an accepted(1) custom in Europe for(2) men to remove(3) their hats when a woman entered(4) the room.

6. Star is(1) a huge(2) ball of fiery gases that(3) gives off(4) heat and light.

7. Tony has been(1) listening(2) to the news(3) non-stop for(4) the conflict began.

8. Why has(1) the phone been(2) rung(3) for(4) the last two hours?