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Present Tense

English Language: AQA A Level, topic 1.3.4

Grammar - Simple Present and Present Progressive

We use the simple present tense when we are describing an action that is happening now. We use the present progressive tense when we are describing an action that is happening now and will continue to happen.

Simple present

Simple present

  • I walk.
  • You (sing.) walk.
  • She/he walks.
  • We walk.
  • You (pl.) walk.
  • They walk.
Simple present - examples

Simple present - examples

  • Jenny loves Paul.
  • Harry walks to the shops.
  • Matthew is a nightmare!
  • Benjamin sings twice a day.
  • We swim at the pool.
Present progressive

Present progressive

  • I am walking.
  • You (sing.) are walking.
  • She/he is walking.
  • We are walking.
  • You (pl.) are walking.
  • They are walking.
Present progressive - examples

Present progressive - examples

  • Patrick is doing his homework.
  • Frank is lying about his secret girlfriend.
  • We are trying to find a solution to the problem.
  • You (pl.) are making me angry!
  • They are running for the bus.

Grammar - Present Perfect and Present Perfect Progressive

We use the present perfect tense when we are describing an action that has already happened. We use the present perfect progressive tense when we are describing an action that has happened and is unfinished.

Present perfect

Present perfect

  • I have walked.
  • You (sing.) have walked.
  • She/he has walked.
  • We have walked.
  • You (pl.) have walked.
  • They have walked.
Present perfect - examples

Present perfect - examples

  • Kenji has forced me to come to the party.
  • You have caused a scene!
  • We have decided to open a joint bank account.
  • You (pl.) have forgotten to sign the letter.
  • They have rinsed the dishes.
Present perfect progressive

Present perfect progressive

  • I have been walking.
  • You (sing.) have been walking.
  • She/he has been walking.
  • We have been walking.
  • You (pl.) have been walking.
  • They have been walking.
Present perfect progressive - examples

Present perfect progressive - examples

  • They have been running for three hours.
  • She has been trying to find a dress since Monday.
  • Lucy has been deliberating whether or not to break up with her boyfriend.
  • We have been decorating our house for four months.
  • They have been wanting a child for years.

Test yourself on Present Tense

  • What tense is the verb?

    I am asleep.

  • What tense is the verb?

    I am trying to sleep.

  • What tense is the verb?

    They have been arguing for hours.

  • What tense is the verb?

    He has spoken.

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