Complete Guide to Present Tenses - English Grammar
Master all four present tenses with this simple guide. Perfect for Class 5-8 students. Learn formulas, usage rules, and avoid common mistakes.
1. Present Tenses at a Glance
| Tense | Formula | Main Use | Example | Time Visual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Present Simple | S + V1(s/es) | Habits & routines | I play daily. | ● ● ● ● ● (repeated dots) |
| Present Continuous | S + am/is/are + V-ing | Happening now | She is reading. | ─────► (ongoing arrow) |
| Present Perfect | S + has/have + V3 | Past→Present link | They have finished. | ●─────►│ (past to now) |
| Present Perfect Continuous | S + has/have been + V-ing | Past→Now continuing | I have been waiting. | ●───────────► (continuous line) |
2. Present Simple Tense
| Form | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| I/You/We/They | I play | I do not play | Do I play? |
| He/She/It | He plays | He does not play | Does he play? |
When to Use:
- Daily routines: I wake up at 6 AM.
- Facts: The sun rises in the east.
- Habits: She brushes teeth twice daily.
- Timetables: The train leaves at 5 PM.
Signal Words: always, usually, often, sometimes, never, every day
3. Present Continuous Tense
| Subject | Positive | Short Form |
|---|---|---|
| I | I am playing | I'm playing |
| He/She/It | He is playing | He's playing |
| You/We/They | They are playing | They're playing |
When to Use:
- Now: I am writing notes.
- Temporary: She is staying this week.
- Future plan: We are meeting tomorrow.
- Changing: Climate is getting warmer.
Non-action verbs: know, like, want, have (possession) - Use Simple tense
"I know him" ✅ NOT "I am knowing him" ❌
4. Signal Words Guide
| Present Simple | Present Continuous | Present Perfect | Present Perfect Continuous |
|---|---|---|---|
| always usually every day often |
now at the moment currently today |
already yet just ever never |
since for all day how long |
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Wrong ❌ | Right ✅ | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| I am having a car. | I have a car. | Possession = Simple |
| She is knowing. | She knows. | Non-action verb |
| I have seen yesterday. | I saw yesterday. | Specific time = Past |
| He is working since 2 PM. | He has been working since 2 PM. | Since/for = Perfect Continuous |
6. Quick Practice (5 Questions)
1. She ______ (go) to school every day.
2. Look! It ______ (rain) now.
3. I ______ (finish) my homework just now.
4. They ______ (wait) since 3 PM.
5. Water ______ (boil) at 100°C.
📝 Ready to Practice?
Test your knowledge with our 25-question worksheet!
Download Present Tenses WorksheetIncludes answer key • Printable PDF
7. Memory Aids
Simple = Routine
Daily, always, often = Present Simple
Continuous = Now
Right now, at moment = Present Continuous
Perfect = Past + Present
Since, for, just = Present Perfect
Exam Tip: Look for time words first!
"yesterday" = Past Simple • "since morning" = Perfect Continuous
