Present Tenses
Learn how three present tenses connect an action to right now—and discover the topics you can explore in greater detail.
Start with the main idea
Each present tense connects an action to now in a different way.
Present tenses covers the tenses, beyond the present simple, used to talk about an action’s relationship to this exact moment. This includes an action in progress, a completed action still relevant now, and an action that has been continuing up to now.
She is working., She has worked here for five years. and She has been working all morning. all involve the same verb, but each one connects it to now in a distinct way.
The present simple, which describes habits, facts and permanent situations, is covered in its own dedicated lesson. This page begins with the broad idea behind the other three present tenses, then leads to a dedicated lesson for each one.
The three tenses at a glance
Each tense answers a different question about an action.
The present continuous shows an action in progress.
She is working right now.
The present perfect shows a completed action that still matters now.
She has finished the report.
The present perfect continuous shows an action continuing up to now.
She has been working all morning.
A common thread
Each tense links an action to this moment in a different way.
For now, focus on how each tense relates to right now, rather than memorising every rule.
In progress right now
She is working.
The action is happening at this exact moment, and is not yet finished.
Finished, but still relevant now
She has finished the report.
The action itself is complete, but its result or relevance carries into the present.
Ongoing, with the emphasis on duration
She has been working all morning.
The action has continued for a period of time leading up to now, and may still be ongoing.
Recognition clues
A few questions help identify which tense fits.
Use several clues together, and always consider how the action relates to right now.
01
Is the action happening at this exact moment?
This usually points to the present continuous.
02
Is the action complete, but still relevant now?
This usually points to the present perfect.
03
Does the sentence emphasise how long something has continued?
This usually points to the present perfect continuous.
04
Is this a habit, fact, or permanent situation instead?
If so, the present simple is likely the better fit.
Where do you go next?
Explore each present tense in detail.
Everything you’ve learned so far explains how these tenses connect to now. The topics below each explore one tense in much more detail. Choose any lesson that matches what you want to learn next.
Present Perfect
Learn how to connect a completed action to the present moment, and when this tense fits better than the simple past.
Example: She has finished the report.
Present Continuous
See how to describe an action in progress right now, or a temporary situation around the present.
Example: She is working right now.
Present Perfect Continuous
Discover how to emphasise the duration of an action that has continued up to this moment.
Example: She has been working all morning.
Building your understanding
The present perfect and present perfect continuous can describe closely related ideas.
These two tenses are not always separate boxes. The same underlying situation can be described by either one, depending on whether the focus is on completion or on duration.
The same activity, two emphases
Both versions below describe writing that has been happening, but they emphasise different things.
Examples
She has written three chapters. — Present perfect, emphasising the result: three completed chapters.
She has been writing all week. — Present perfect continuous, emphasising the duration: an entire week of activity.
Remember
As you work through the individual lessons, you’ll discover that each tense highlights a different aspect of an action’s connection to now. The individual lessons explain how to build and choose each tense correctly.
Before you continue
You’re ready to explore present tenses in more detail.
You now understand how these three tenses each connect an action to now in a distinct way. From here, choose whichever tense is most useful for your own learning.
Continue your learning
Every lesson in this section focuses on one present tense. Complete them in any order and return here whenever you need a refresher on the big picture.