1. Present Continuous
We use the present continuous when we talk abaout something which is happening at the time of speaking :
- Please dont make so much noise, I'm studying. ( not I study )
- Where is Margaret ? She is having a bath. ( not she has )
- Lets go out now. It isnt raining any more.
We also use the present continuous when we talk about something which is happening around the time of speaking,but not necessarily exactly at the time of speaking. Study this example situation :
-Rudi and Wati are talking and drinking in a cafe. Rudi says : I'm rading an interesting book at the moment. I'll lend it to you when I've finished it.
Rudi is not reading the book at the time of speaking. He means that he has begun the book and hasnt finished it yet. He is in the middle of reading it. Here are some more examples.
- Silvia is learning English at the moment. (not learns )
-Have you heard about Tom? He is building his own house. (not builds).
We often use the present continuous when we talk about a period around the present.
For examples : - You're working hard today. yes,I have a lot to do.
- Budi isnt playing football this seasion. He wants to concentrate on his studies.
We use the present continuous when we talk about changing situations:
- The population of the world is rising very fast.
- Is your English getting better ? ( not does ....get )
2. Present Simple
We use the present simple to talk about thing in general. We are not thinking only about the present. We use it to say that something happen all the time or repeatedly, or that something is true in general. It is not important whether the action is happening at the time speaking:
- The earth goes round the sun.
- Nurses look after patients in hospital.
- In Britain most of the shop close at 5.30 p.m.
We use the present simple when we say how often we do things :
- I get up at 8 o'clock every morning. ( not 'am getting )
- How often do you go to the dentist ?
- Susy doesnt often drink tea.
3. Present Perfect ( I have done )
We form the present perfect with have/has + the past participle. The pas participle often ends in -ed (opened,decided ) but many important verbs are irregular (lost,written,done etc )
When we use the present perfect there is a connection with the present.
- I've lost my key.
- Jim has gone to Canada.
- Oh dear,I've forgotten her name.
- Have you washed your hair?
We often use the present perfect to give new information or to announce arecent happening.
-I've lost my key.Can you help me look for it ?
-Do you know about Jim? He's gone to Canada.
You can use the present perfect with already to say that something has happened sooner than expeceted.
4.Present Perfect continuous.
We use the present perfect continuous when we talk about an action ( quite a long action)which began in the past and has recently stopped or just stopped. Here are some example
- you are out of breath. Have you been running?
- That man over there isbright red. I think he's been sunbathing.
We also use the present perfect contiuous to ask or say how long something has been happening. This time the action or situation began in the past and is still happening or has just stopped.
You can also use the present perfect continuous ( with how long,for and since ) for action repeated over a period of time.
- She has been playing tennis since she was eight.
- How long have you been smoking ?
5. Past perfect ( I had done )
We form the past perfect with had + the past participle (gone/opened/written etc ). For irregular past participle.
Sometimes we talk about something that happened in the past.
- I arrived at the party.
We use the past perfect to say that something had already happened before this time.
-When I arrived at the party,Tom had already gone home.
