TENSES: REVISION

Present simple

1 Habits or situations that happen regularly.

• I wash my hair every day.
• I never go to the library.
• She‘s always late.

2 Permanent situations, or things that are always or usually true.

• I don’t drink coffee.
• She‘s very tall.
• I have two brothers.

Present continuous

1 Actions in progress, happening now or ‘around now’.

• I can’t talk now. I‘m brushing my teeth.
• I finished your book, and I‘m reading a new one now.

2 Temporary actions.

• My car’s in the garage. I‘m taking the bus this week.
• I‘m not training because I have an injury.

3 Future arrangements.

• I‘m meeting Sally at 7.
• We are leaving early tomorrow.

Present perfect

1 Recent events –we don’t say when. (Common with already, yet, just, recently, today, this week, etc.)

• She‘s had an accident.
• Have you finished yet?
• He‘s changed jobs recently.
• Have you seen Peter today?

2 Past experiences –we don’t say when. (Common with never, ever, before, superlative + ever, number of times until now.)

• We‘ve been to Italy.
• Have you ever eaten insects?
• This is the best food I‘ve ever eaten.
• I‘ve read this book three times.

3 Unfinished situations from the past until now. (Common with how long,   for, since, all + time, lately.)

• How long have you been here?    
• We have been married for 20 years.
• I‘ve liked chocolate all my life.
• I‘ve been very busy lately.

Past and future tense review

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