Mastering the Present Tenses in English

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 1,2

Mastering the Present Tenses in English

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to differentiate between the four present tenses in English and use them appropriately in sentences.

Introduce the learning objective to the class and explain the importance of mastering the present tenses in English.

What do you already know about the different present tenses in English?

• Simple Present: This tense is used to describe actions or events that are happening now, are habits, and general truths.

• Present Continuous: This tense is used to describe actions that are in progress at the moment of speaking.

• Present Perfect: This tense is used to describe actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past or have a connection to the present. 

• Present Perfect Continuous: This tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and are still ongoing at the moment of speaking. 

Simple Present Tense

The Simple Present Tense is used to describe an action that takes place regularly or habitually.

Explain the Simple Present Tense and provide examples to the class.

Simple Present Tense - Examples

• I walk to school every day. 
• She reads a book before going to bed. 
• They play soccer on weekends.

Provide examples to the class and encourage them to create their own examples.

Present Continuous Tense

The Present Continuous Tense is used to describe an action that is currently taking place.

Explain the Present Continuous Tense and provide examples to the class.

Present Continuous Tense - Examples

I am walking to school right now. 

She is reading a book at the moment. 

They are playing soccer in the park.

 'be' verb [am, is, are…] + present participle (verb+ing)

Provide examples to the class and encourage them to create their own examples.

Present Perfect Tense

The Present Perfect Tense is used to describe an action that happened in the past but has a connection to the present.

Explain the Present Perfect Tense and provide examples to the class.

Present Perfect Tense - Examples

I have walked to school every day this week. 

She has read three books this month. 

They have played soccer twice this season.

 has/have + Past participle (=voltooid deelwoord)

Provide examples to the class and encourage them to create their own examples.

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

The Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used to describe an action that started in the past and is still happening in the present.

Explain the Present Perfect Continuous Tense and provide examples to the class.

Present Perfect Continuous Tense - Examples

I have been walking to school every day this week. 

She has been reading a book for three hours. 

They have been playing soccer for two hours.

has/have been + the present participle (root + -ing).

Provide examples to the class and encourage them to create their own examples.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid using the present continuous tense for habitual actions. Avoid using the simple present tense for actions in progress. Avoid using the present perfect tense for actions with no connection to the present. Avoid using the present perfect continuous tense for actions that have finished.

Highlight common mistakes to avoid and provide further examples to the class.

Review of the Four Present Tenses

Simple Present = Habitual actions. 

Present Continuous = Actions in progress. 

Present Perfect = Actions that started in the past and still have relevance to the present. 

Present Perfect Continuous = Actions that started in the past and are still ongoing.

Review the differences between the four present tenses and provide clear examples.

Create one sentence for each of the four present tenses.

She is well-informed about politics because she _____ the newspaper every day.

1. reads
2. is reading
3. has read
4. has been reading

At the moment, Ms Smith ______ in her hotel room.

1. stands
2. is standing
3. has stood
4. has been standing

He _______ English for almost 6 years now.

1. teaches
2. is teaching
3. has taught
4. teach

We _____ in Greece since last August. (to live)

1. live
2. are living
3. have lived
4. lives

Look! Steve's mother ______ a Frappuccino. (to make)

1. makes
2. is making
3. has made
4. has been making

James never ____ his homework. (to do)

1. does
2. is doing
3. has done
4. has been doing

Samirato _______ (go) to school since she was four.

The sun _____ (rise) in the East.

What ______ (Jane/ do) now?

She ______ (do) her homework now.

She never ______ (do) homework.

We ______ (be) friends ever since kindergarten.

We have to take the walk without Bob, he ________ (sprain) his ankle.

He ________
football, so he's tired. (to play)

We _______ enough water - that's why we feel tired. (not/drink)