Present Simple

The Present Simple tense is the most basic tense in English and uses the base form of
the verb (except for the verb be). The only change from the base is the addition
of s for third person singular.

How do we make the Present Simple tense?

There are two basic structures for the Present Simple:

1. Positive sentences

Subjec + main verb

t

Present Simple

2. Negative and question sentences

subject + auxiliary do + main verb

conjugated in Present Simple

do, does base

Look at these examples with the main verb like:

subject auxiliary main verb

verb

+ I, you, we, they like coffee.

He, she, it likes coffee.

- I, you, we, they do not like coffee.

He, she, it does not like coffee.

? Do I, you, we, they like coffee?

Does he, she, it like coffee?

From the above table, notice the following points...

For positive sentences:

 There is no auxiliary verb.

 We conjugate the main verb by adding s to the third person singular.

For negative and question sentences:

 The auxiliary verb (do) is conjugated in the Present Simple: do, does

 The main verb is invariable in base form: base

 For negative sentences, we insert not between the auxiliary verb and the main
verb.
  For question sentences, we exchange the subject and the auxiliary verb.

Present Simple with main verb be

The structure of the Present Simple with the main verb be is:

subject + main verb be

conjugated in Present Simple

am, are, is

Look at these examples with the main verb be:

subject main
verb be

+I am French.

You, we, they are French.

He, she, it is French.

- I am not old.

You, we, they are not old.

He, she, it is not old.

 subject main
verb be

? Am I late?

Are you, we, they late?

Is he, she, it late?

From the above table, notice the following points...

 There is no auxiliary verb, even for questions and negatives.

 The main verb (be) is conjugated in the Present Simple: am, are, is

 For negative sentences, we insert not after the main verb.

 For question sentences, we exchange the subject and the main verb.

How do we use the Present Simple tense?

We use the Present Simple to talk about:

 general time (action verbs)

 situations now (stative verbs)

 general time and situations now (verb be)

Present Simple for general time

We use the Present Simple tense when:

 the action is general

 the action happens all the time, or habitually, in the past, present and future

 the action is not only happening now

 the statement is always true

John drives a taxi.

past present future

It is John's job to drive a taxi. He does it every day. Past, present and future.

Look at these examples:

 I live in New York.

 The Moon goes round the Earth.

 John drives a taxi.

 He does not drive a bus.

 We meet every Thursday.

 We do not work at night.

 Do you play football?

Present Simple for now

For stative verbs, we can use the Present Simple to talk about now. Stative verbs do
not describe action. They describe state, and are verbs such as: like, sound, belong to,
need, seem. We can use these verbs with the Present Simple tense to talk about a
situation at the present time, not general.
I want a coffee.
That sounds interesting.
Do you need some help?

past present future

The situation is now.

Present Simple for general time and now

The verb be is always special. It is a stative verb, and we use it in the Present
Simple tense to talk about now situations and about general situations. Look at
these examples of the verb be in the Present Simple tense - some are general and
some are now:

I am not fat.
Why are you so beautiful?
Ram is tall.

past present future

The situation is general. Past, present and future.

Am I right?
Tara is not at home.
We are hungry.

past present future

The situation is now.

Present Simple Worksheet 1

1. I usually _____ (get up) at six o'clock.

2. How often _____ (she go) to the gym to workout?
3. They _____ (be) from Holland.
4. Jack _____ (not work) in the city.
5. Where _____ (he live)?
6. Alison _____ (visit) her friends on Saturdays.
7. They _____ (not eat) meat on Fridays.
8. _____ (you play) tennis?
9. Susan often _____ (drive) to the beach when the weather is nice.
10. Eric _____ (not read) in Japanese.
11. When _____ (she have) dinner?
12. I _____ (take) a shower before I leave for work.
13. How _____ (you start) this machine?
14. He _____ (not work) on Sundays.
15. Sharon rarely _____ (watch) TV.
16. We occasionally _____ (take) the train to Seattle.
17. Peter _____ (not like) buying food in supermarkets.
18. Why _____ (they leave) work so late on Fridays?
19. You sometimes _____ (do) housework.
20. _____ (she speak) Russian?
Present Simple Worksheet 2
Choose the correct time expression used with the present simple tense.

1 I sleep in late on (Saturday / Saturdays).

2 How (much / often) do you visit your friends in Chicago?
3 Jennifer doesn't catch the bus (in/at) 8 in the morning.
4 Henry enjoys playing golf (in/at) the afternoon.
5 Do they eat fish (in/on) Fridays?
6 I usually have my meetings (on/at) 10 am.
7 Susan doesn't like going out (at/on) Fridays.
8 Our class (usually/usual) takes tests on Tuesdays.
9 The teacher gives us notes (after/while) class.
10 Sharon doesn't go to be before 11 pm (in/at) night.
11 Where do they usually hold meetings (at/in) the morning?
12 Tom (rare/rarely) gets up early on Sundays.
13 We don't enjoy eating breakfast before six (at/in) the morning.
14 Our parents (occasion/occasionally) catch a train to the city.
15 She doesn't use a computer (at/in) night.
16 Alexander has lunch (on/at) noon.
17 David doesn't work (at/on) Tuesdays.
18 They listen to classical music (in/at) the afternoon.
19 Mary answers her e-mail on (Friday/Fridays).
20 How often do you travel (in/on) Tuesdays?
Present Continuous
(also called Present Progressive)

We often use the Present Continuous tense in English. It is very different from
the Present Simple tense, both in structure and in use.

How do we make the Present Continuous tense?

The structure of the Present Continuous tense is:

subjec + auxiliary be + main verb

t

conjugated in Present Simple

am, are, is present participle (-ing)

The auxiliary verb (be) is conjugated in the Present Simple: am, are, is

The main verb is invariable in present participle form: -ing

For negative sentences we insert not between the auxiliary verb and the main verb.

For question sentences, we exchange the subject and the auxiliary verb.

Look at these example sentences with the Present Continuous tense:

subject auxiliary verb main

verb

+I am speaking to you.

+ You are reading this.

 subject auxiliary verb main
verb

- She is not staying in London.

- We are not playing football.

? Is he watching TV?

? Are they waiting for John?

How do we use the Present Continuous tense?

We use the Present Continuous to talk about:

action happening now

action in the future
Present Continuous for action happening now

a) for action happening exactly now

am eating my lunch.

past present future

The action is happening now.

b) for action happening around now

The action may not be happening exactly now, but it is happening just before and just
after now, and it is not permanent or habitual.

John is looking for a new job.

past present future

The action is happening "around"

now.

Look at these examples:

 Muriel is learning to drive.

 I am living with my sister until I find an apartment.

Present Continuous for the future
We can also use the Present Continuous tense to talk about the future - if we add
a future word!! We must add (or understand from the context) a future word. "Future
words" include, for example, tomorrow, next year, in June, at Christmas etc. We
only use the Present Continuous tense to talk about the future when we have planned
to do something before we speak. We have already made a decision and a
plan before speaking.

I am taking my exam next month.

past present future

!!!

A firm plan or programme exists The action is in the

now. future.

Look at these examples:

 We're eating at Joe's Cafe tonight. We've already booked the table..

 They can play tennis with you tomorrow. They're not working.

 When are you starting your new job?

In these examples, a firm plan or programme exists before speaking. The decision
and plan were made before speaking.
Present Continuous Worksheet 1

Conjugate the verb in parentheses in the present continuous tense. In the case of
questions, use the indicated subject as well.

1. Alexander _____ (study) for his exams at the moment.

2. Where _____ (you meet) Tim next week?
3. She _____ (not play) Golf tomorrow.
4. They _____ (make) dinner now.
5. The company (not finish) the plans this week.
6. She _____ (eat) oysters for lunch right now.
7. David _____ (not fly) to Chicago next week.
8. I _____ (work) on a special report today.
9. We _____ (not cook) dinner this evening because we're eating out.
10. _____ (Tom drive) to work right now?
11. Alice _____ (read) a new book at the moment.
12. They _____ (not prepare) for the science exam at the moment.
13. When _____ (you have) lunch tomorrow?
14. We _____ (joke)!
15. _____ (they give) a party this weekend?
16. Susan _____ (make) the decision at 3 o'clock this afternoon.
17. People _____ (play) tennis golf on a beautiful day like this!
18. What _____ (you do)?!
19. He _____ (bake) a cake at the moment.
20. Which motel _____ (they stay) at now?
Present Continuous Worksheet 2
Choose the correct time expression used with the present continuous tense.

1. They are cooking dinner (on the moment / now).

2. The company is preparing a report for their most important client (last / this)
week.
3. My sister is studying for a test (at the moment / in the moment).
4. We're meeting Brian (on / at) three o'clock.
5. (Currently / Current) we're working on the Anderson account.
6. They aren't coming for dinner (this / at) evening.
7. Susan is playing tennis with Tim (now / then).
8. What are you doing (this / next) afternoon?
9. They're enjoying dinner (at / next) the moment.
10. What are you doing (tomorrow / yesterday) afternoon?
11. Henry is making the presentation (at / on) Wednesday.
12. Our teacher is helping us with grammar (that / this) morning.
13. My dog is barking (at the moment / in the moment).
14. We're finishing the business report (today / yesterday).
15. The clock is striking twelve o'clock right (now / soon). It's time to go!
16. Frank is flying to Chicago (this / that) morning.
17. We're reading that book (at the moment / on the moment).
18. Thomas is presenting at the meeting (on / in) April.
19. She's mowing the lawn (now / moment).
20. They're developing a new product (this / last) month.
Present Perfect Tense
The Present Perfect tense is a rather important tense in English, but it gives speakers
of some languages a difficult time. That is because it uses concepts or ideas that do
not exist in those languages. In fact, the structure of the Present Perfect is very simple.
The problems come with the use of the tense. In addition, there are some differences
in usage between British and American English.

In this lesson we look at the structure and use of the Present Perfect tense, as well as
the use of for and since, followed by a quiz to check your understanding.

How do we make the Present Perfect tense?

The structure of the Present Perfect is:

subject + auxiliary have + main verb

conjugated in Present Simple

have, has past participle

The auxiliary verb (have) is conjugated in the Present Simple: have, has

The main verb is invariable in past participle form: -ed (or irregular)
For negative sentences we insert not between the auxiliary verb and the main verb.

For question sentences, we exchange the subject and the auxiliary verb.

Look at these example sentences with the Present Perfect tense:

auxiliary verb main verb

subjec
t

+ I have seen ET.

+ You have eaten mine.

- She has not been to Rome.

- We have not played football.

? Have you finished

?

? Have they done it?

Contraction with Present Perfect
When we use the Present Perfect in speaking, we often contract the subject and
auxiliary verb. We also sometimes do this in informal writing.

I have I've

You have You've

He has He's
She has She's
It has It's
John has John's
The car has The car's

We have We've

They have They've

 You've told me that before.

 John's seen Harry Potter.

In negative sentences, we may contract the auxiliary verb and "not":

  You haven't won the contest.
 She hasn't heard from him.

How do we use the Present Perfect tense?

This tense is called the Present Perfect tense. There is always a connection with the
past and with the present.

We use the Present Perfect to talk about:

 experience
 change
 continuing situation

Present Perfect for experience

We often use the Present Perfect to talk about experience from the past. We are not
interested in when you did something. We only want to know if you did it:

I have seen an alien.

He has lived in Bangkok.
Have you been there?
We have never eaten caviar.

past present future

!!!

The action or state was in the past. In my head, I have a memory

 now.

Connection with past: the event was in the past

Connection with present: in my head, now, I have a memory of the event;
I know something about the event; I have experience of it

Present Perfect for change

We also use the Present Perfect to talk about a change, or new information:

I have bought a car.

past present future

- +

Last week I didn't have a car. Now I have a car.

John has broken his leg.

past present future

+ -
Has the price gone up?

past present future

+ -

Was the price $1.50 yesterday? Is the price $1.70 today?

Yesterday John had a good leg. Now he has a bad leg.

The police have arrested the killer.

past present future

- +

Yesterday the killer was free. Now he is in prison.

Present Perfect for continuing situation
We often use the Present Perfect to talk about a continuing situation. This is a state
that started in the past and continues in the present (and will probably continue into
the future). This is a situation (not an action). We usually use for or since with this
structure.

I have worked here since June.

He has been ill for 2 days.
How long have you known Tara (for)?

past present future

The situation started in the It continues up to now. (It will probably continue
past. into the future.)
For and Since with Present Perfect tense
We often use for and since with perfect tenses:

 We use for to talk about a period of time: five minutes, two weeks, six years
 We use since to talk about a point in past time: 9 o'clock, 1st January,
Monday

for since

a period of time a point in past time

------------ -•----------

20 minutes 6.15pm
 three days Monday

6 months January

4 years 1994

a long time I left school

Look at these example sentences using for and since with the Present Perfect tense:

 I have been here for twenty minutes.

 I have been here since 9 o'clock.
 John hasn't called for six months.
 John hasn't called since February.

Present Perfect Worksheet 1

Conjugate the verb in parentheses using the form indicated. In the case of questions,
use the indicated subject as well.

1. How long ______ (he/live) in New Jersey?

2. Peter ______ (not play) baseball since 1987.
3. I ______ (speak) Russian for 20 years.
4. We _____ (not see) Tom since Christmas.
5. Has ________ (Alan/fly) in an airplane before?
6. Shannon _____ (not/go) to lunch yet.
7. Our class _____ (take) a field trip three times this year.
8. Where _____ (they/move) to?
9. Jennifer _____ (ask) that question four times today.
10. You _____ (not eat) lunch yet, have you?
11. Jason _____ (want) to move to New York since he was 5 years old.
12. How long _____ (they/know) Peter?
 13. Alexandra _____ (work) for IBM since 2002.
14. Jeff _____ (buy) a few books this week.
15. Sally ______ (not read) that book yet.
16. _____ (they/leave) for work yet?
17. Bill _____ (not/drive) very far today.
18. We _____ (enjoy) eating seafood all of our lives.
19. _____ (he/watch) the documentary yet?
20. I _____ (not/finish) the job yet.

Present Perfect Worksheet 2

Choose the correct time expression used with the present perfect tense.

1. They have lived in that house (since/for) 10 years.

2. She has (just/yet) gone to the bank.
3. Franklin hasn't arrived in Boston (yet/already)
4. We have worked at this company (since/for) 2008.
5. Jason hasn't telephoned me (since/for) two weeks.
6. How (long/much) have you known Susan?
7. They've (already/yet) studied the past simple tense.
8. Our mothers have (just/yet) left for the station.
9. The president has traveled to more than 20 countries (since/for) he was
elected.
10. Thomas hasn't had time to read the book (just/yet).
11. Alice has told me she's (yet/already) been to that park.
12. My daughter's (just/since) finished her homework.
13. Have they (already/yet) spoken to Mr. Peters?
14. I've (just/for) interviewed the best candidate for the job.
15. Our coach hasn't chosen the starting team (already/yet).
16. Bob and Tim have (already/yet) decided where they are going on vacation.
17. Have you purchased a new computer (just/yet)?
18. Sam has wanted to go to Japan (for/since) he was a little child.
19. Jason hasn't worked here (since/for) very long.
20. Our boss has (just/yet) hired a new engineer.