The Present Tenses
1. Present Simple (be verbs/verbs)
The present simple is used for things that we do frequently and for facts.
- I am a college student at Oxford in the UK.
2. Present Progressive (is/are/am + Ving)
a. The present progressive is mostly used to describe something that is happening in the present as the statement is being made.
- I’m riding my bike to the mall right now. Can I call you back later?
b. The present progressive can also be used to talk about future plans or arrangements.
- Nicholas is researching behaviors of Taiwan’s high mountain animals with Judy this Friday.
3. Present Perfect (have/has + pp.)
a. The present perfect is used to express an activity that happened before now.
- I have already finished my homework.
- Sarah has eaten a king-size burger.
b. The present perfect is used to express a repetitive activity that took place before now.
- Lena has been to Chicago a couple of times.
- I have seen Titanic many times. It is my favorite movie.
c. The present perfect is used to express a situation that began in the past and continues to the present, when used with for or since.
- He has known me since I was a child. → He has known me for many years.
- I have lived in Taipei since I was born. → I have lived in Taipei for 20 years.