Simple Present (also called present simple or present indefinite) is a verb

tense which is used to show repetition, habit or generalization. Less commonly, the simple
present can be used to talk about scheduled actions in the near future and, in some cases,
actions happening now. Read on for detailed descriptions, examples, and simple present
exercises.

Simple Present Forms The simple present is just the base form of the verb.
Questions are made with do and negative forms are made with do not.

 Statement: You speak English. Question: Do you speak English? Negative: You do not
speak English.

In the third person singular, -s or -es is added. Questions are made with does and negative
forms are made with does not. Statement: He speaks English.
Question: Does he speak English? Negative: He does not speak English.

Simple Present Forms Most Verbs Most verbs conjugate like the verb
"run" below. Notice how you add an "s" to third-person forms. Third-person negative forms and
third-person questions are made using "does."

Positive Negative Question

I run. I do not run. Do I run?

You run. You do not run. Do you run?

We run. We do not run. Do we run?

Instead of "s," "es" is added to positive, third-person forms of verbs ending with the
following sounds: s, z, sh, ch, j or zs (as in Zsa Zsa). These special "es"-forms have been marked
below with an asterisk*.

Positive Negative Question

I rush. I do not rush. Do I rush?

You rush. You do not rush. Do you rush?

He rushes. * He does not rush. Does he rush?

She rushes. She does not rush. Does she rush?

*

It rushes. * It does not rush. Does it rush?

 To Have
 The verb "have" is irregular in positive, third-person forms. This irregular form has been
marked below with an asterisk*.

Positive Negative Question

I have. I do not have. Do I have?

You have. You do not have. Do you have?

He has. * He does not have. Does he have?

She has. * She does not have. Does she have?

It has. * It does not have. Does it have?

 To Be
 The verb "be" is irregular in the Simple Present. It also has different question forms and
negative forms.

Positive Negative Question

I am. I am not. Am I?

You are. You are not. Are you?

They are. They are not. Are they?

He is. He is not. Is he?

It is. It is not. Is it?

 Modal Verbs
 Modal verbs behave differently from other verbs. Notice that they do not take "s" in the
third person - there is no difference between first-person, second-person or third-
person forms. Like the verb "be" described above, modal verbs also have different
question forms and negative forms in simple present.

Positive Negative Question

 I should go. I should not go. Should I go?

You should go. You should not go. Should you go?

We should go. We should not go. Should we go?

They should go. They should not go. Should they go?

He should go. He should not go. Should he go?

She should go. She should not go. Should she go?

It should go. It should not go. Should it go?

Simple Present Uses USE 1 Repeated Actions Use the simple present to express
the idea that an action is repeated or usual. The action can be a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a
scheduled event or something that often happens. It can also be something a person often
forgets or usually does not do.

Examples:

 I play tennis.
 She does not play tennis.
 Does he play tennis?
 The train leaves every morning at 8 AM.
 The train does not leave at 9 AM.
 When does the train usually leave?
 She always forgets her purse.
 He never forgets his wallet.
 Every twelve months, the Earth circles the Sun.
 Does the Sun circle the Earth?

USE 2 Facts or Generalizations The simple present can also indicate the speaker believes
that a fact was true before, is true now, and will be true in the future. It is not important if the
speaker is correct about the fact. It is also used to make generalizations about people or things.

Examples:

 Cats like milk. Birds do not like milk. Do pigs like milk?
 California is in America. California is not in the United Kingdom.
 Windows are made of glass. Windows are not made of wood.
 New York is a small city. It is not important that this fact is untrue.
USE 3 Scheduled Events in the Near Future Speakers occasionally use simple present to
talk about scheduled events in the near future. This is most commonly done when talking about
public transportation, but it can be used with other scheduled events as well.

Examples:

 The train leaves tonight at 6 PM. The bus does not arrive at 11 AM, it arrives at 11 PM.
 When do we board the plane? The party starts at 8 o'clock.
 When does class begin tomorrow?

USE 4 Now (Non-Continuous Verbs) Speakers sometimes use the simple present to
express the idea that an action is happening or is not happening now. This can only be done
with non-continuous verbs and certain mixed verbs.

Examples:

 I am here now. She is not here now. He needs help right now.
 He does not need help now. He has his passport in his hand.

Present Continuous (also called present progressive) is a verb tense which

is used to show that an ongoing action is happening now, either at the moment of speech or
now in a larger sense. The present continuous can also be used to show that an action is going
to take place in the near future. Read on for detailed descriptions, examples, and present
continuous exercises.

Present Continuous Forms The present continuous is formed using am/is/are +

present participle. Questions are indicated by inverting the subject and am/is/are. Negatives
are made with not.

 Statement: You are watching TV. Question: Are you watching TV?
 Negative: You are not watching TV.

Present Continuous Forms

Positive Negative Question

I am speaking. I am not speaking. Am I speaking?

You are speaking. You are not speaking. Are you speaking?

We are speaking. We are not speaking. Are we speaking?

Present Continuous Uses USE 1 Now Use the present continuous with normal
verbs to express the idea that something is happening now, at this very moment. It can also be
used to show that something is not happening now.

Examples:

 You are learning English now. You are not swimming now.
 Are you sleeping? I am sitting. I am not standing.
 Is he sitting or standing? They are reading their books.
 They are not watching television. What are you doing?
 Why aren't you doing your homework?

USE 2 Longer Actions in Progress Now In English, "now" can mean: this second, today, this
month, this year, this century, and so on. Sometimes, we use the present continuous to say that
we are in the process of doing a longer action which is in progress; however, we might not be
doing it at this exact second.

Examples: (All of these sentences can be said while eating dinner in a restaurant.)

 I am studying to become a doctor. I am not studying to become a dentist.

 I am reading the book Tom Sawyer. I am not reading any books right now.
 Are you working on any special projects at work?
 Aren't you teaching at the university now?

USE 3 Near Future Sometimes, speakers use the present continuous to indicate that
something will or will not happen in the near future.

Examples:

 I am meeting some friends after work. I am not going to the party tonight.
 Is he visiting his parents next weekend? Isn't he coming with us tonight?

USE 4 Repetition and Irritation with "Always" The present continuous with words such
as "always" or "constantly" expresses the idea that something irritating or shocking often
happens. Notice that the meaning is like simple present, but with negative emotion. Remember
to put the words "always" or "constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing."

Examples:

 She is always coming to class late.

 He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up.
 I don't like them because they are always complaining.
Present Continuous Tips REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs / Mixed Verbs
It is important to remember that non-continuous verbs cannot be used in any continuous
tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for mixed verbs cannot be used in continuous
tenses. Instead of using present continuous with these verbs, you must use simple present.

Examples: She is loving this chocolate ice cream. Not Correct

She loves this chocolate ice cream. Correct

Present Perfect t is a verb tense which is used to show that an action has taken
place once or many times before now. The present perfect is most frequently used to talk
about experiences or changes that have taken place, but there are other less common uses as
well. Read on for detailed descriptions, examples, and present perfect exercises.

Present Perfect Forms The present perfect is formed using has/have + past
participle. Questions are indicated by inverting the subject and has/have. Negatives are made
with not. Statement: You have seen that movie many times. Question: Have you seen that
movie many times? Negative: You have not seen that movie many times.

Present Perfect Forms

Positive Negative Question

I have traveled. I have not traveled. Have I traveled?

You have traveled. You have not traveled. Have you traveled?

We have traveled. We have not traveled. Have we traveled?

Present Perfect Uses USE 1 Unspecified Time Before Now We use the present
perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now. The exact time is not
important. You CANNOT use the present perfect with specific time expressions such as:
yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I was a child, when I lived in Japan, at that moment,
that day, one day, etc. We CAN use the present perfect with unspecific expressions such as:
ever, never, once, many times, several times, before, so far, already, yet, etc.

Examples:

 I have seen that movie twenty times.

 I think I have met him once before.
 There have been many earthquakes in California.
  People have traveled to the Moon.
 People have not traveled to Mars.
 Have you read the book yet?
 Nobody has ever climbed that mountain.
 A: Has there ever been a war in the United States?
B: Yes, there has been a war in the United States.

How Do You Actually Use the Present Perfect? The concept of "unspecified time" can be
very confusing to English learners. It is best to associate present perfect with the following
topics:

TOPIC 1 Experience You can use the present perfect to describe your experience. It is like
saying, "I have the experience of..." You can also use this tense to say that you have never had a
certain experience. The present perfect is NOT used to describe a specific event.

Examples:

 I have been to France.

This sentence means that you have had the experience of being in France. Maybe you
have been there once, or several times.
 I have been to France three times.
You can add the number of times at the end of the sentence.
 I have never been to France.
This sentence means that you have not had the experience of going to France.
 I think I have seen that movie before.
 He has never traveled by train.
 Joan has studied two foreign languages.
 A: Have you ever met him?
B: No, I have not met him.

TOPIC 2 Change Over Time We often use the present perfect to talk about change that has
happened over a period of time.

Examples:

 You have grown since the last time I saw you.

 The government has become more interested in arts education.
 Japanese has become one of the most popular courses at the university since the Asian
studies program was established.
 My English has really improved since I moved to Australia.

TOPIC 3 Accomplishments We often use the present perfect to list the accomplishments of
individuals and humanity. You cannot mention a specific time.
Examples:

 Man has walked on the Moon.

 Our son has learned how to read.
 Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.
 Scientists have split the atom.

TOPIC 4 An Uncompleted Action You Are Expecting We often use the present perfect to
say that an action which we expected has not happened. Using the present perfect suggests
that we are still waiting for the action to happen.

Examples:

 James has not finished his homework yet.

 Susan hasn't mastered Japanese, but she can communicate.
 Bill has still not arrived.
 The rain hasn't stopped.

TOPIC 5 Multiple Actions at Different Times We also use the present perfect to talk about
several different actions which have occurred in the past at different times. Present perfect
suggests the process is not complete and more actions are possible.

Examples:

 The army has attacked that city five times.

 I have had four quizzes and five tests so far this semester.
 We have had many major problems while working on this project.
 She has talked to several specialists about her problem, but nobody knows why she is
sick.

Time Expressions with Present Perfect When we use the present perfect it means that
something has happened at some point in our lives before now. Remember, the exact time the
action happened is not important.

Sometimes, we want to limit the time we are looking in for an experience. We can do this with
expressions such as: in the last week, in the last year, this week, this month, so far, up to now,
etc.

Examples:

 Have you been to Mexico in the last year?

 I have seen that movie six times in the last month.
 They have had three tests in the last week.
  She graduated from university less than three years ago. She has worked for three
different companies so far.
 My car has broken down three times this week.

NOTICE "Last year" and "in the last year" are very different in meaning. "Last year" means the
year before now, and it is considered a specific time which requires simple past. "In the last
year" means from 365 days ago until now. It is not considered a specific time, so it requires
present perfect.

Examples:

 I went to Mexico last year.

I went to Mexico in the calendar year before this one.
 I have been to Mexico in the last year.
I have been to Mexico at least once at some point between 365 days ago and now.

USE 2 Duration From the Past Until Now (Non-Continuous Verbs) With non-
continuous verbs and non-continuous uses of mixed verbs, we use the present perfect to show
that something started in the past and has continued up until now. "For five minutes," "for two
weeks," and "since Tuesday" are all durations which can be used with the present perfect.

Examples: I have had a cold for two weeks. She has been in England for six months.
Mary has loved chocolate since she was a little girl.

Although the above use of present perfect is normally limited to non-continuous verbs and non-
continuous uses of mixed verbs, the words "live," "work," "teach," and "study" are sometimes
used in this way even though they are NOT non-continuous verbs.

Present Perfect Continuous (also called present perfect

progressive) is a verb tense which is used to show that an action started in the past and has
continued up to the present moment. The present perfect continuous usually emphasizes
duration, or the amount of time that an action has been taking place. Read on for detailed
descriptions, examples, and present perfect continuous exercises.

Present Perfect Continuous Forms The present perfect continuous is formed

using has/have + been + present participle. Questions are indicated by inverting the subject
and has/have. Negatives are made with not.

 Statement: You have been waiting here for two hours.

 Question: Have you been waiting here for two hours?
 Negative: You have not been waiting here for two hours.
 Present Perfect Continuous Forms
Positive Negative Question

I have been sleeping. I have not been sleeping. Have I been sleeping?

You have been sleeping. You have not been sleeping. Have you been sleeping?

We have been sleeping. We have not been sleeping. Have we been sleeping?

Present Perfect Continuous Uses USE 1 Duration from the Past Until
Now We use the present perfect continuous to show that something started in the past and
has continued up until now. "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Tuesday" are all
durations which can be used with the present perfect continuous.

Examples: They have been talking for the last hour. She has been working at that company
for three years. What have you been doing for the last 30 minutes? We have been
waiting here for over two hours! Why has Nancy not been taking her medicine for the last
three days?

USE 2 Recently, Lately You can also use the present perfect continuous WITHOUT a duration
such as "for two weeks." Without the duration, the tense has a more general meaning of
"lately." We often use the words "lately" or "recently" to emphasize this meaning.

Examples: Recently, I have been feeling really tired. She has been watching too much
television lately. Have you been exercising lately? Mary has been feeling a little depressed.
Lisa has not been practicing her English. What have you been doing?

IMPORTANT Remember that the present perfect continuous has the meaning of "lately" or
"recently." If you use the present perfect continuous in a question such as "Have you been
feeling alright?", it can suggest that the person looks sick or unhealthy. A question such as
"Have you been smoking?" can suggest that you smell the smoke on the person. Using this
tense in a question suggests you can see, smell, hear or feel the results of the action. It is
possible to insult someone by using this tense incorrectly.

REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed Verbs It is important to remember that non-

continuous verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous
meanings for mixed verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using present perfect
continuous with these verbs, you must use present perfect.

Examples: Sam has been having his car for two years. Not Correct

 Sam has had his car for two years. Correct

Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate tenses,
 1. Every Monday, Sally (drive) her kids to football practice.
2. Usually, I (work) as a secretary at ABT, but this summer I
(study) French at a language school in Paris. That is why I am in Paris.
3. Shhhhh! Be quiet! John (sleep) .
4. Don't forget to take your umbrella. It (rain) .
5. I hate living in Seattle because it (rain, always) .
6. I'm sorry I can't hear what you (say) because everybody (talk)
so loudly.
7. Justin (write, currently) a book about his adventures in Tibet. I hope
he can find a good publisher when he is finished.
8. Jim: Do you want to come over for dinner tonight?
Denise: Oh, I'm sorry, I can't. I (go) to a movie tonight with some friends.
9. The business cards (be, normally ) printed by a company in New York.
Their prices (be) inexpensive, yet the quality of their work is quite good.
10. This delicious chocolate (be) made by a small chocolatier in Zurich,
Switzerland.
Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate tenses
 A Trekking Journal
November 12, 1997
Today (be) the second day of my trek around Mount Annapurna. I am
exhausted and my legs (shake) ; I just hope I am able to complete the trek.
My feet (kill, really) me and my toes (bleed) , but I (want,
still) to continue.
Nepal is a fascinating country, but I have a great deal to learn. Everything
(be) so different, and I (try) to adapt to the new way of life
here. I (learn) a little bit of the language to make communication easier;
unfortunately, I (learn, not) foreign languages quickly. Although I
(understand, not) much yet, I believe that I (improve,
gradually) .
I (travel, currently) with Liam, a student from Leeds University in
England. He (be) a nice guy, but impatient. He (walk,
always) ahead of me and (complain) that I am too slow. I
 (do) my best to keep up with him, but he is younger and stronger than I am.
Maybe, I am just feeling sorry for myself because I am getting old.
Right now, Liam (sit) with the owner of the inn. They (discuss)
the differences between life in England and life in Nepal. I (know, not) the
real name of the owner, but everybody (call, just) him Tam. Tam
(speak) English very well and he (try) to teach Liam some words
in Nepali. Every time Tam (say) a new word, Liam (try) to repeat
it. Unfortunately, Liam (seem, also) to have difficulty learning foreign
languages. I just hope we don't get lost and have to ask for directions.
Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate tenses
 1. A: What (you, do) when the accident occurred?
B: I (try) to change a light bulb that had burnt out.

2. After I (find) the wallet full of money, I (go, immediately)

to the police and (turn) it in.

3. The doctor (say) that Tom (be) too sick to go to work and
that he (need) to stay at home for a couple of days.

 4. Sebastian (arrive) at Susan's house a little before 9:00 PM, but she (be,

not) there. She (study, at the library) for her final

examination in French.

5. Sandy is in the living room watching television. At this time yesterday, she (watch,

also) television. That's all she ever does!

6. A: I (call) you last night after dinner, but you (be, not)

there. Where were you?

B: I (work) out at the fitness center.

7. When I (walk) into the busy office, the secretary (talk) on

the phone with a customer, several clerks (work, busily) at their desks,

and two managers (discuss, quietly) methods to improve customer

service.

8. I (watch) a mystery movie on TV when the electricity went out. Now I

am never going to find out how the movie ends.

9. Sharon (be) in the room when John told me what happened, but she

didn't hear anything because she (listen, not) .

10. It's strange that you (call) because I (think, just) about

you.

11. The Titanic (cross) the Atlantic when it (strike) an

iceberg.

12. When I entered the bazaar, a couple of merchants (bargain,

busily) and (try) to sell their goods to naive tourists

who (hunt) for souvenirs. Some young boys (lead) their

donkeys through the narrow streets on their way home. A couple of men

(argue) over the price of a leather belt. I (walk) over to a

man who (sell) fruit and (buy) a banana.

13. The firemen (rescue) the old woman who (be) trapped

on the third floor of the burning building.

14. She was so annoying! She (leave, always) her dirty dishes in the

sink. I think she (expect, actually) me to do them for her.

15. Samantha (live) in Berlin for more than two years. In fact, she

(live) there when the Berlin Wall came down.