EXPLANATION – Present Tenses

1. Simple present:
Formula: Verb S/ES
Usage: We use the simple present for routines, habits, or statements that are always true. We also use the
simple present for future events that are certain to take place.
Examples:
* The Earth is round. I usually get up at 7:00 in the morning.
* He comes back tomorrow. When does the train leave?
2. Present perfect:
Formula: have/has + PP
Usage: we use the present perfect to describe an action that happened in the past, where the time of the
action may not necessarily be known.
Examples:
* I have been to the United States. We have lived here for twenty years.
* John has seen the movie twice. I have just finished the project.
3. Present continuous
Formula: am/is/are+ V-ing
Usage: we Use the present progressive for an action that is currently in progress
Examples:
* I’m eating lunch right now. What are you talking about?
Note: You can also use the present progressive for future events that are certain to take place.
* He’s coming back tomorrow.
4. Present perfect continuous:
Formula: have/has been + V-ing
Usage: we Use present perfect progressive verbs for situations that began in the past and continuing in the
present.
Examples:
* He has been calling her all morning. It’s been raining here since we arrived.
Note: Stative verbs do not occur in the progressive tense.
* I’m having a pen. (X)-> I have a pen. She’s seeing a bird. (X)-> She sees a bird.
GRAMMAR EXERCISE
Choose the correct word or phrase to complete each sentence.

1. Every morning, I ( am going / go) to school at eight o’clock.

2. Mina (studies / has studied) French for ten years.

3. I have not ( saw / seen) him since 1995.

4. I ( am having / have ) three dogs.

5. The baby has ( been crying/ cries ) all day.

6. Mr. Gray sometimes ( plays / is playing) tennis.

7. Look! A mouse ( run / is running) through the door.

8. What are you ( study / studying) at school tomorrow.

9. Have you ( finish / finished) your homework yet.

10. Father is ( laughing / laughs ) at the movies.

QUICK REACTION PRACTICE
1. The simple present is frequently used with always, sometimes, usually, often, rarely, hardly ever, never.
2. Present perfect verbs are often used with once, twice, -times, ever, never, finally, just, already, yet, recently.
3. Present cont. verbs are frequently used with this week, today, at the moment, for the time being, currently.
4. Stative verbs include know, own, belong, have, like, hate, seem, appear, hear, smell, taste, see, resemble.

1. They – play tennis – (everyday / never / now / for 6 months)

They play tennis everyday. They have never played tennis.
They are playing tennis now. They have been playing tennis for 6 months.
2. He – go fishing – (every Sunday / several times / at the moment / since
morning)
3. She – solve crossword puzzles – (often / just / right now / all day)
4. My family – watch comedies – (usually / never / today / since I was a kid)
5. Adams – write poetry – (sometimes / never / currently / since he met his
girlfriend)
6. Some friends – sing karaoke – (on weekends / recently / now / for 4 hours)
7. My brother – hang out with his friends – (every night / just / at the moment / all night)
8. My father – compose songs – (sometimes – never … before / for the time being /
since he was young)
9. My grandfather – take care of the garden – (every morning / currently / not … yet / since my
grandmother passed away)
10. My son in law – collect stamps – (often / recently / now / since his graduation)
QUICK REACTION TEST: 5 MINUTES
1. I … … … a very interesting book right now.
a. read b. reads
c. am reading d. to read

2. Joanne … … … eight hours a day.

a. works b. is working
c. to work d. has worked

3. What … …. …. Tom usually … … … for breakfast?

a. do / have b. is / having
c. does / has d. does / have

4. My wife and I go to the beach … … ….

a. every summer b. for 2 hours
c. at the moment d. last week

5. He is growing tomatoes … … ….
a. every summer b. this summer
c. since 2000 d. for 20 years

6. He … … … to France three times.

a. is b. has been
c. was d. is being
QUICK REACTION TEST: 5 MINUTES
7. She … … … chocolate since she was a little girl.
a. love b. loves
c. is loving d. has loved

8. I … … … here for 3 months.

a. studies b. am studying
c. has studied d. have been studying

9. I … … … the same car for more than 10 years.

a. have been having b. have had
c. am having d. have

10. We … … … each other for more than 20 years

a. know b. have known
c. have been knowing d. are knowing

11. I … … … about changing my career lately.

a. have been thinking b. thought
c. am thinking d. thinks

12. … you … the news?

a. do / you b. have / heard
c. have / been hearing d. are / hearing
CONVERSATION

Mark: OK. well. I am sitting in Frank’s car and we are just driving under the overpass

and we have just left Mosquito City and we are in Brooklyn now and there is

the fire station on my right. We are turning left. Is that public housing?

Frank: Oh no. No. I am going to stop here. You just…I will let you off and you get a

table in the cafe and I will see you later.

Mark: OK. OK. I will see you in a minute.

Frank: See you in a bit.

Mark: OK.