Present tenses
Use the four present tenses for habits, ongoing actions and recent results.
Tense tells us when an action happens. In this lesson you will see the four forms of the present tense and the different job each one does.
The present tenses are four verb forms (simple, continuous, perfect and perfect continuous) that describe actions and states connected with the present time.
Examples
- My father reads the news on his phone every morning.
- Listen! Someone is singing next door.
- I have lost my library card.
- It has been raining since lunch.
- The earth moves round the sun.
How it works
Simple present
Use the base verb, adding -s or -es with he, she, it and singular nouns. It shows habits, general truths and fixed timetables.
The express leaves at four o'clock every day.
Present continuous
Use am/is/are + -ing for an action happening right now or around this period. Signal words include now, at the moment, look and listen.
Shalini is preparing for her wedding these days.
Present perfect
Use has/have + past participle for a past action whose result matters now, often with just, already, yet, ever or never. Do not use it with a finished time such as yesterday.
The courier has just arrived.
Present perfect continuous
Use has/have been + -ing for an action that began in the past and is still going on, often with since or for. State verbs such as know, like, want, own and understand are not normally used in any continuous form.
We have been waiting for the doctor for forty minutes.
Quick reference
| Tense | Form | Main use | Signal words |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple present | base verb / verb + -s | habits, facts, timetables | always, usually, every day |
| Present continuous | am / is / are + -ing | action happening now | now, at present, look! |
| Present perfect | has / have + past participle | past action with a present result | just, already, yet, ever |
| Present perfect continuous | has / have been + -ing | action going on from the past until now | since, for, how long |
Common mistakes
✕She don't like spicy food.
✓She doesn't like spicy food.
With he, she or it, use does not or doesn't.
✕I am wanting a glass of water.
✓I want a glass of water.
Want is a state verb, so it is not used in the continuous.
✕We are living here for ten years.
✓We have been living here for ten years.
An action that continues from the past up to now, with for, needs the present perfect continuous.
Worked example
Exercise 1
Choose the correct form.
Water ___ at 100 degrees Celsius. (boils / is boiling / has boiled)
✓Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
A general truth uses the simple present: boils.
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