present tenses

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 3-5

Unit 1 present tenses

Present simple

We use the present simple to talk about facts and give opinions, and to talk about regular habits.

It takes around four minutes to boil an egg. (fact)

I think this is awful. (opinion)

He usually goes to bed around 11 o’clock. (habit)

How to form it: Shit-rule
She/he/it + S

Present Continuous

We use the present continuous to talk about what’s happening at or around the time of speaking.

What are you doing?

A TV company is making a programme about life plans.

How to form it: form of to be + verb + ing

Present perfect simple

We use the present perfect simple to talk about past actions and experiences but without saying exactly when. This tense links the present and the past and we often use it when a past event has an effect on the present.

She's read lots of articles about this and she’s learned a lot.

The storm has caused a lot of flooding in the town.

How to form it: have or has + present participle

regular = +ed

Irregular 3rd row (eat-ate-eaten)

Present perfect continuous

We use the present perfect continuous to talk about actions that started in the past and are still happening.

I’ve been trying to get fitter for several weeks now.

They have been playing football for three hours. 

How to form it: have/has + been + verb + ing

Difference Present perfect + present perfect continuous

The present perfect continuous tense is used to talk about a continuous, but not necessarily finished action or situation.

The present perfect tense is used to talk about a finished action or situation.

Compare:

I have been gardening since morning. (Focus on continuity)

I have planted several new saplings. (Focus on completion)

I have been reading since morning. (Focus on continuity)

I have read two books since morning. (Focus on completion)

Temporary and permanent

The present perfect continuous tense is used to talk about more temporary actions and situations; the present perfect tense is used to talk about longer-lasting or permanent situations.

That boy has been standing at the gate for hours. (Temporary action or situation)

The temple has stood on the hill for hundreds of years. (Longer-lasting or permanent situation)

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

Ms Johnson _______ for almost 6 years now.

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

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

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

Emily ______ on the computer for too long. (to work)

1. works
2. is working
3. has worked
4. has been working

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

The sun _____ (rise) in the East.

What ______ (Jane/ do) now?

She ______ (do) her homework now.

She never ______ (do) homework.

Where were you? I ______ (wait) for you for a long time!

She _____ (respond) to messages all morning.

We ______ (be) friends ever since kindergarten.

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