English grammar
Present Tenses
English has four present forms, and 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."