Present Time

1. Present Time Present Simple and Present Continuous We often talk about the present using Present Simple and Present Continuous Present Perfect Simple and Present Perfect Continuous We may also use these tenses to talk about present, Though these two tenses have a connection with Past time too. State Verbs

2. Present Simple • 3rd person sing = verb + -s • The Present Simple is used for: • a permanent state or long-term situation that exists now • Meg enjoys reading whodunits. • habitual or regular actions • Bill usually goes to school by bus. • general truths • Female crocodiles lay eggs. • MORE USES OF PRESENT SIMPLE: • SPORTS COMMENTARIES • TELLING STORIES/JOKES • NEWSPAPER HEADLINES • EXCLAMATORY SENTENCES • INSTEAD OF THE IMPERATIVE • SCHEDULES (FUTURE MEANING)

3. The Present Continuous is used for: • Am/is/are + verb + -ing • actions happening at the moment of speaking • Sarah is looking for her watch. • something that is seen as a temporary situation • Conrad is staying with his aunt for a while. • developing or changing situation • Her health is getting steadily worse. • MORE USES OF PRESENT CONTINUOUS: • A TEMPORARY ACTION STILL IN PROGRESS • A HABITUAL/ANNOYING/SURPRISING ACTION • AN ARRANGEMENT FOR THE FUTURE

4. Present Perfect Simple • The Present Perfect Simple is used for: • actions that began in the past and are still going on • Ms Black has run this office since last May. • actions in the past that affected the present • I have lost all my hair, so I don’t need shampoo. • actions at an unstated time in the past • Matt has met the president. • actions that have just finished • Fiona has just gone out. • Note: this is only for formal language, most Americans would say Fiona just went out.

5. Present Perfect Continuous • The Present Perfect Continuous is used for: • actions that began in the past and are still continuing • Jack has been preparing our dinner for over an hour. • actions that have just finished and have a result in something • I’ve been gardening and now my back is very sore. • OTHER USES OF PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS: • ACTIONS THAT HAVE JUST FINISHED, BUT HAVE SURPRISED OR ANNOYED THE SPEAKER • What has Frank been doing on the kitchen table? It’s filthy.

6. STATE VERBS Some verbs known as state (or stative) verbs are not normally used in the continuous form because they describe a state rather than action. State verbs can refer to: EMOTIONS – adore, desire, detest, dislike, fear, hate, like, loathe, love, need, prefer, want, wish THOUGHTS – believe, consider, doubt, expect, imagine, forget, guess, hope, know, prefer, realize, recognize, remember, suppose, suspect, think, trust, understand POSSESSION – own, belong, have, possess AMOUNTS – weigh, contain, cost, equal, measure, weigh SENSES – see, feel, hear, smell, sound, taste IMPRESSION – sound, appear, look, seem OTHER – matter, apply, be, consist, depend, deserve, fit, hold, mean, owe, trust

7. Certain state verbs can be used in a continuous tense, but with a change in meaning. • Sheila is a very helpful person. • describing a character • Sheila is being very unhelpful because Jack has annoyed her. • -describing temporary behavior, state verb used in continuous form