The Present Simple is used
a to express what happens habitually or regularly:
I go to Italy every summer.
b to describe facts that are always or usually true:
That road leads to Oxford.
c to describe natural and scientific laws:
The earth revolves around the sun.
d with verbs that do not normally take the continuous form: dislike, hate, love, wish,
prefer, want, hear, sound, understand, suppose, remember, recognize, realize, mean,
know, imagine, guess, doubt, believe, astonish, satisfy, surprise, please, impress,
belong, concern, consist, contain, possess, own, owe, matter, need, depend, deserve,
fit, include, involve, lack, appear, resemble, seem
e in the if clause of the First Conditional:
If you make a run for it, you'll catch the train.
f with if and when for parallel facts and conditions:
When you turn the key, the engine starts.
g for explanations and instructions:
First you turn the dial, then you press the ignition switch.
h to describe the sequence of events in a film, play or book:
He returns to his native town, goes to the school reunion, sees his first love there and ...
i for headlines in a newspaper:
Motorway crash toll rises.
Exercise 1. Match the different uses of the Present Simple with the categories above.
Local girl wins national contest.
The hero meets a girl in a cafй, falls in love with her and ...
We usually take part in the general knowledge quiz on Fridays.
It appears that there was some mistake in the information we received.
Traffic flows much better outside rush hours.
If he saves up, he'll soon be able to afford a mountain bike.
The great monastery library now belongs to the state.
When you hear the police siren, you slow down and pull in, to allow emergency vehicles to pass.
Fisherman finds treasure trove.
Wood floats on water.
Now that he's retired, he watches football every afternoon on satellite TV.
I understand that none of the children actually qualified for the award.
You separate the eggs, then whip the whites until they are stiff.
If you cry wolf too often, people don't pay attention when you really need help.
The Present Continuous is used
a to refer to what is happening now. Key words: at the moment, at present, now,
currently, today, this week/month
b to describe a repeated action, sometimes with annoyance:
She is always criticizing other people!
c to talk about a temporary habit:
He's smoking a lot these days.
d to give a running commentary on an event:
Look, the door's opening ...
e to talk about planned future arrangements:
Tomorrow I'm flying to Hong Kong.
Exercise 2. Correct the sentences if necessary.
I'm always forgetting to pay the milkman.
It sounds a marvellous idea.
She's studying hard for her exams at the moment.
Are you understanding what the lecturer said?
I'm thinking that they made a mistake.
I'm seeing my friend Jean tonight.
The police aren't knowing why he came here.
He's constantly leaving his papers all over the place.
She jogs around the park three times a week.
He commutes to Paris every day this week.
Exercise 3. Decide whether to use the Present Simple or the Present Continuous in these sentences.
You (look) very worried. What you (think) about?
Listen, he (climb) the stairs! What he (do) now? He (ring) the bell!
Thank goodness Barbara (take) more exercise these days! She (seem) much fitter, you (not think)?
When water (boil), it (give off) steam.
Alex never (break) a promise or (let down) a friend.
The house (stand) on its own, on a hill that (overlook) the park.
I (know) her husband (look for) a new job at the moment, but I (not suppose) he will find one quickly.
When you (heat) the pan, the fat (begin) to sizzle.
The Foreign Ministers of several EU countries currently (meet) in Luxembourg, where they (attempt) to negotiate a solution.
He always (spill) coffee on his shirt! It (make) me furious!
At weekends she frequently (drive) up to her mother's in Liverpool, and (spend) an evening with her sister on the way back.
I'm a bit worried about Greg. He (work) too hard in his present job. He really (need) a holiday.
The Present Perfect is used to refer to
a actions in a period of time which is not yet finished. Key words: already, yet, so far, up to now, for (a period of time), since (a fixed point in time), ever, before.
I haven't had time to do any typing yet. She has already had her breakfast.
b actions in the recent past where the time is not known or not important. Key words: just, recently, lately.
Have you seen any good films recently?
c actions in the recent past with an effect on the present.
d habitual actions which started in the past and are still going on.
e states which began in the past and are continuing.
DO NOT use the Present Perfect with an adverb of finished time, such as yesterday, last week, in 1924.
The Present Perfect Continuous is used to stress that
a a present perfect action is continuing: She's been waiting for you for an hour and a half.
b the action is very recent: Your eyes are red. Have you been crying?
c the action has a result in the present: I'm so tired! I've been driving all night.
It is NOT used with clearly defined, completed or quantified activities: I've written ten letters so far this morning. Compare: I've been writing letters all morning.
Exercise 4. Correct the sentences if necessary.
I am studying English here since August.
I've interviewed five applicants and it's still only 11.30!
We have met several fascinating people at the conference last week.
Once upon a time a beautiful princess has lived in a castle ...
Have you ever read any of Hemingway's novels?
I've been owning this answer phone for three years.
They haven't been selling all the tickets for the Cup Final yet.
My friends are married for a long time now.
I haven't been feeling at all well lately.
A light plane has been crashing in the French Alps.
I've already been speaking to the delegates three times.
A barrister in a case which is being heard at the High Court in London has accused the authorities of negligence.