📖 Notes
LESSON 6 OF 16
Present Tenses — All 4
Four Tenses, One Time Frame
Present Simple, Continuous, Perfect, and Perfect Continuous all describe "now" in different ways — the signal words in each sentence tell you exactly which one to use.
The Four Present Tenses
Form, Use, Signal Words
1️⃣
Present Simple
V1 (+s/es). Habits, facts, schedules. "She teaches at a school." Signals: always/usually/every day.
2️⃣
Present Continuous
am/is/are + V-ing. Happening now, temporary, future plan. "We are meeting tomorrow." Signals: now/at the moment.
3️⃣
Present Perfect
have/has + PP. Experience, recent past. "I have visited Dubai." Signals: ever/never/just/already/yet.
4️⃣
Present Perfect Continuous
have/has been + V-ing. Started in past, still continuing. "I have been studying for 3 hours." Signals: for/since/how long.
⚠️
Common Mistakes
✗ I have seen him yesterday. → ✓ I saw him yesterday. (specific past time)
✗ Did you ever visit Paris? → ✓ Have you ever visited Paris? (life experience)
✗ She has graduated in 2022. → ✓ She graduated in 2022. (specific year)
✗ Did you ever visit Paris? → ✓ Have you ever visited Paris? (life experience)
✗ She has graduated in 2022. → ✓ She graduated in 2022. (specific year)