Match the sentences with the present tenses
Present Tenses Difference

1. Present Simple.

Examples:

We travel every year.

He swims twice a week.

Do you travel every year? / We don't (do not) travel every year.

Does he swim twice a week? He doesn't (does not) swim twice a week.

We use the Present Simple:

1. 1. To show regular actions: She goes to school every day.
2. 2. For habits: He runs every morning.
3. 3. To show that actions repeat: They celebrate X-mas together every year.
4. 4. For general truth: It snows in winter.
5. 5. For instructions or directions: Be quiet!
6. 6. For fixed arrangements: The movie starts at 7 p.m.

Signal words for the Present Simple: usually, always, never, on Mondays, every Friday, twice a week, once a month, in general, every other day.

We use the Present Simple (not Future Simple) after these words (when, before, after, as soon as, until, if, as, etc.): We'll have dinner as soon as dad comes home.

2. Present Continuous.

To be + V-ing form.

Examples:

You are studying English now.

He is writing an essay at the moment.

Are you studying English? / You aren't (are not) studying English.

Is he writing an essay at the moment? He isn't (is not) writing an essay at the moment.

We use the Present Continuous:

2. 1. To show the action that is happening right now: He's watching TV at the moment and eating his dinner.
3. 2. For situations that are happening in this time period but not right now: He is renting the flat until he can buy his own one.
4. 3. To show that we have plans for the near future: My mother is cooking a turkey tonight.

Signal words for the Present Continuous: now, right now, at present, presently, for the time being, currently, at the moment, at the present, nowadays, this year.

3. Present Perfect.

Have/has + V3.

Examples:

We have seen this film before.

He has already done his homework.

Have you seen this film before? / We haven't (have not) seen this film before.

Has he already done his homework? / He hasn't done his homework yet.

We use the Present Perfect:

3. 1. For something that started in the past and continues in the present: They have been married for five years.
4. 2. To talk about our experience up to present: He has written two books and he's working on his third one now.
5. 3. For something that happened in the past but is important in the present: Mum isn't at home, I think she has gone to work.

Time expressions used with the Present Perfect: for, since, yet, never, always, so far, many times, lately, recently, already.

4. Present Perfect Continuous.

Have/Has been + V-ing.

Examples:

We have been living in Moscow for all our lives.

She has been working in Zara for the last three years.

Have you been living in Moscow for all your lives? / We haven't (have not) been living in Moscow for all our lives.

Has she been working in Zara for the last three years? She hasn't (has not) been working in Zara for the last three years.

We use the Present Perfect Continuous:

4. 1. To emphasise that something is still continuing in the present: It has been raining for hours.

Note: We do not use the Present Perfect Continuous with stative verbs. We use the Present Perfect Simple instead: I've always liked Amanda.

Time expressions used with the Present Perfect: for, since, lately, recently.

I don't usually watch Netflix after school.	Present Simple
Have you ever swum in the ocean?	Present Perfect Continuous
I've been doing my homework for two hours already.	Present Perfect Simple
I can't talk right now—I'm jogging.	Present Continuous