Here is an overview of the present tenses in English. Note that the term present tense can be misleading because present tenses are also used to talk about the past and the future. For example, the present perfect tense is used to talk about finished past events that are in some way connected to the present. The present continuous tense can be used to talk about our future plans.

The simple present tense

The simple present tense is used to talk about our habits and general truths. It is formed with the base form of the infinitive.

Form: Subject + first form of the verb + object

• Susan writes stories.
• Cows eat grass.
• She drives to work.

Questions and negatives are made with do and does.

• She does not work.
• Where does she work?
• I do not like bananas.
• Do you like chocolates?

Present continuous tense

The present continuous tense is used to talk about things that are happening at the moment of speaking.

Form: Subject + is / am / are + -ing form

• I am writing.
• The birds are singing.
• The wind is blowing.
• It is raining.

Questions are made by putting the auxiliary verb before the subject.

• Are the birds singing?
• Is she coming?

Present perfect tense

The present perfect tense is used to talk about past events that have some bearing on the present.

Form: Subject + has / have + past participle form of the verb

• I have visited Australia.
• She has finished that report.
• They have accepted the invitation.

Questions are made by putting the auxiliary verb before the subject.

• Have you visited Australia?
• Has she finished that report?
• Have they accepted the invitation?

Present perfect continuous tense

The present perfect continuous tense is used to talk about events and situations that started in the past and have continued up to the present. It is commonly used with the time expressions since and for.

• I have been working on this report since morning.
• It has been raining for two hours.
• We have been living in this city for twenty years.

Questions are made by putting has or have before the subject.

• Have you been working on this report since morning?
• Has it been raining for two hours?