You are an English MASTER if you know these 12 Present Tense uses

Описание: Find your FREE LESSON GUIDE & PRACTICE below

Read the free grammar guide in the description below as you watch this advanced English grammar lesson. Then, attempt the tasks at the bottom of the description. This will help you develop your advanced English grammar so that it reaches a B2, C1 or C2 English level.

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GRAMMAR GUIDE

12) HERE + COME / THERE + GO

A common way of observing things that are moving or travelling is to use “Here comes” or “There goes”. They are used in the Present Simple.

“Here comes” refers to something or someone approaching you:

“Here comes the bus. It is approaching our platform”

“There goes” refers to something travelling past you or away from you:

“There goes the train. It is heading towards the next station”

*“There comes” can also be used for things that are approaching you but currently further away, or “Here goes” for things passing nearby.


11) CURRENT BEHAVIOUR

Use the Present Continuous to describe the way someone is behaving right now. Usually, we use the verb “to be” in the continuous form:

“You are being rude. Stop it!”
“Thanks for cleaning my windows. You are being so kind!”

Use the Present Simple for behaviour that is usual. “He is rude all of the time” (*although see point 9 below)

10) “THIS IS WHAT I KNOW”

When you are introducing what you know, use the Present Simple even if you are discussing knowledge based upon the past:

“I know that you live in a village”
“I understand that you have lived in the city”


9) SHOW ANNOYANCE AT BAD HABITS

You can use either the Present Simple or the Present Continuous for this. The usual indicator of annoyance is the use of an adverb of (high) frequency.

“He is ALWAYS leaving the lights on”
“She CONSTANTLY talks over the movies”


8) “BEING” for IN THIS STATE AT A MOMENT IN TIME

We use “being” to introduce the state of something at a moment in time. It usually goes with the Present Simple:

“I love being correct”
“You being there is so important to me”

NOTE:
i) Where there is a verb immediately before “BE”, the first verb dictates whether to use “BEING” or “TO BE”
ii) You may be able to use the Present Continuous when an activity follows or for temporary issues e.g. “I am enjoying being top of the class, although it's just for today”

7) IS TO/ARE TO

These Present Simple structures are used frequently when making announcements in an official way:

“The store is to open in the new year”

Although there are alternatives (e.g. “The store will open in the new year), these are not as formal.

6) DOING THINGS IN A CERTAIN WAY (USUALLY)

When we say how something usually happens, we can use the Present Simple without extra adverbs:

“I wash my hands with soap”

*NOTE: When we say how something happens temporarily, or just at the moment, use the Present Continuous: “I am washing my hands with shower gel today”.

5) TEMPORARY CIRCUMSTANCES

When discussing a circumstance which is true now but is highly likely to change in the near future, use the Present Continuous:

“I am living with my parents until I find my own home”

NOTE: If there is no realistic prospect of change, use the Present Simple e.g. “I live with my parents; I am not looking for another home”.

4) PRESENT EXPERIENCES

If talking about an experience which is going on at the moment, use the Present Continuous. The use of “have” in the continuous form is common:

“We are having a fantastic time at this event”

Use the Present Simple for experiences which always accompany the same events:

“We always have a great time when we come here”


3) IMPERSONATION

When describing a role you are taking on in the present, you can use either the Present Simple or the Present Continuous:

“Today, I am a clown”
“Today, I am being a lion-tamer”

2) “THIS IS WHAT I THINK HAPPENED”

When speaking about what you believe to be true about the past, you can introduce the incident with a Present Simple clause that makes it clear this is your belief:

“I expect that you have been walking in the rain”

1) POSSESSION

For permanent possession, use the Present Simple:

“I own a care”

Sometimes, Present Continuous shows temporary possession:

“I am keeping these keys while my friend is on holiday”

However, the continuous form cannot be used with verbs that usually stay in the simple form


NEXT, try the PRACTICE TASK

In the sentences below, does a) or b) fill the gap? Write your answers in the comments and Rupert will give you feedback!

i. I ___ being tall!
a) enjoy
b) am enjoying

ii. I ___ that this city was built in Roman times
a) understand
b) am understanding

iii. Typically, I ___ my hair cut at the hairdressers
a) get
b) am getting

iv. You _____ honest is an important part of the role
a) being
b) to be

v. I __________ after my mother’s house while she is away this week
a) look
b) am looking