English Grammar
Present Tenses
English has four present forms — each one captures something different about how an action unfolds right now, habitually, or with a connection to the past.
Textbook Present Tenses
The standard forms taught in English courses worldwide — illustrated with real clips from native speakers, not invented examples.
Present Simple
Subject + base verb (+ -s for he/she/it)
Used for habits, routines, facts, and general truths. The most common and most versatile tense in everyday English.
Present Continuous
Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing
Used for actions happening right now, temporary situations, and fixed future plans. Also called the present progressive.
Present Perfect
Subject + have/has + past participle
Connects past events to the present moment — used for experiences, recent news, and situations that started in the past and still matter now. One of the most misunderstood tenses for learners.
Present Perfect Continuous
Subject + have/has been + verb-ing
Emphasises how long something has been happening — used for ongoing actions that started in the past and are still continuing, or have very recently stopped.
There's / There Are
There + is/are/was/were (+ noun phrase)
Used to introduce something new into the conversation or describe what exists in a place or situation. "There's a problem." "There are three options." "There was no one around." In casual speech, "there's" often stays singular even with plural nouns: "There's a lot of people."