Present Tenses - the very basics

1. Present Simple
Present Continuous
Present Perfect
Simple
Continuous

2. Present Simple
Structure S + V (+ “s” 3rd pers. sing. in the aff.)
Use: habits
routines
states
Markers of tense: adverbs of frequency: always,…
phrases of frequency: once a week,…

3. Present Continuous
Structure S + BE + V “ing”
Use: sth. happening at the time of speaking
an activity performed for a certain period of time
(as opposed to a habit or state):
“This year I´m studying French.”
Markers of tense: now, at this moment
comment phrases: “Listen!”, “Shh!”

4. Present Perfect Simple
Structure S + HAVE/HAS + PAST PARTICIPLE
Use: an action completed in the past, with a present result
an action that started in the past and continues up to
the present, but as a state
Markers of tense: just, already, yet, for, since, so far,
recently, lately

5. Present Perfect Continuous
Structure S + HAVE/HAS + BEEN + V “ing”
Use: an action that started in the past and:
continuous up to the present
has just been completed, or is unfinished
Markers of tense: for, since, all