Simple Present:
To describe things that are always true or situations that exist now and, as far as we know it, will go on forever. Eg. It takes me five minutes to get to school.
To talk about things or habits that happen on a regular basis.
Use simple present with verbs that perform the action they describe. Eg. I *admit I cant see as well as I used to. (an admission)
* performative verbs – usually used with modals to make what we say more tentative or polite. Eg. I would advice you to arrive in two hours before the flight leaves.
Simple present (I do):
With verbs describing states, we often prefer to use the simple present than the continuous. Eg. I really enjoy jet-skiing.
To report what we have heard or what we have read. Eg. This newspaper article explains why unemployment has been rising so quickly.
Present Continuous:
- To talk about particular events or action that have begun but have not ended at the time of speaking, we use the present continuous. Eg. The car isn’t starting again.
- When we describe repeated actions or events that are happening at or around the time of speaking, we use the present continuous tense. Eg. Why are you jumping up and down / I’m hearing a lot of good reports about your work these days.
- To imply that a situation is or may be temporary. Eg. Banks lend money to make money (this is what usually happens) / Banks are lending more money (these days) to encourage businesses to expand (implies a temporary arrangement) ; She teaches Maths in a school in Bonn (permanent arrangement) / She’s teaching Maths in a school in Bonn (implies that this is not, or may not be, permanent)
- Often, time expressions such as ‘at the moment, at present, currently, just and still’ emphasize that the action or event is happening now.
Present continuous (I do):
- We use the present continuous with some state verbs when we want to emphasize a situation that is temporary, for a period of time around the present. Eg. I am considering taking a break from work. (something I am thinking about it now)
- When have has a non-state meaning (eat, undergo, take), we use the present continuous. The neighbours are having a party.
- When we talk about changes, developments and trends, we use present continuous tense. I’m beginning to realise how difficult it is to be a teacher.
- When we want to emphasise that something is done repeatedly, we use present continuous with words like ‘always, constantly, forever’. Often used to show unhappiness about situation, including our own behaviour.
Present perfect (I have done):
- When we talk about something that happened in the past, but we don’t specify exactly when it happened. Eg. I have complained about the traffic before.
- Suggests some kind of connection between what happened in the past and the present time. Eg. I’ve washed my hands so that I can help you with the cooking. (The connection with the present may also be that something happened recently, with a consequence for the present.)
- When we talk about how long an existing situation has lasted, even if we don’t give a precise length of time. Eg. They have grown such a lot since we last saw them.
- If an action or event has been repeated a number of times up to now, and suggests that the event might happen again. Eg. They have been to Thailand 3 times / Jane has made 11 films and I think her latest is the best.
- When we talk about something that happened in a period of time up to the present.
- Used to talk about a state that existed in the past and still exists now.
Past simple:
- When we want to indicate that something happened at a specific time in the past.
- When a situation existed for a period of time in the past but not now. Eg. When I was younger, I played badminton for my local team.
- If we are interested in when a present situation began rather than how long it was going on, we use the past simple. Eg. I started to get the pains three weeks ago / I have had the pains for three weeks now.
- HOWEVER, we use the past simple to talk about how long something went on for it if the action or event is no longer going on. Eg. I stayed with my grandparents for three months.
- Used to talk about something that happened at a particular, finished time in the past.
- Used to talk about states that no longer exists.