Uses of Present Tenses

USES OF PRESENT SIMPLE TENSE

1. General Truth
The earth revolves around the sun.

The sun rises in the east.

2. Routines / Habits
I play badminton everyday.
I wake up early in the morning.

3. Timetables (May be in Present or Future)
Our train leaves at 9 am.

4. Conditional Sentences (Zero Condition or 1st Condition)

I won’t go out until it stops raining.

If you heat the ice, it melts


5. For Newspaper Headlines (May be in the Past)
Man enters space.
The Prime Minister inaugurates a new university in Karachi.


6. When Telling Stories

Suddenly, the window opens and the thief gets in.

Alice chases the white rabbit.

7. With Stative Verbs
I believe that you are innocent.

8. For Giving Directions and Instructions
First of all, you break the eggs and whisk with sugar.

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USES OF PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE


1. Actions which are happening at the exact moment of speech
Noor is watching television at the moment.

2. Actions which taking place now but not at the exact moment of speech
They are working in in this company.

3. An event planned in the future.
I’m taking my French class on Tuesday.

4. Emphasizing the frequency of an action

That child is always making noise in the class.

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USES OF PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

1. Achievements in Life

She has written a lot of books.
I’ve never been to the UK.
He has studied Japanese.

2. To express number of times you have done something
How many times have you tried to call her?

3. Recently completed actions
I have some bad news. I’ve lost my job.
I can’t play football tonight – I’ve hurt my leg.

4. Stative Verbs (in Perfect Continuous)
Situations that started in the past and are still true
I’ve known James for 4 or 5 years.
She’s been the director of that company since 2007.

5. Unfinished actions or situations(=Perfect Continuous)

We have lived here since 2004.


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USES OF PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE


1. Long actions that started in the past and continue until now

I‘ve been living in this city for almost 2 years.

2. Recent actions that have results now
I‘ve been studying all day and I’m absolutely exhausted now.
You’ve lost a lot of weight. Have you been going to the gym?
Her eyes are red because she‘s been crying all evening.

3. Always use the present perfect simple (not continuous) with the verbs believe, know, understand, like/dislike, belong, own.
We‘ve known each other since we were kids.
I‘ve never understood math very well.

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