ALL English present tenses explained in 7 minutes [including Present Perfect!]

Learn all about English present tenses in 7 minutes: how and when to use them, and the differences between the different present tenses. In this video, we're going to discuss the following present tenses in English: the present simple, the present continuous, the present perfect, the present perfect continuous, the phrase ‘tend to’.

We will also look at the differences between the present tenses and structures, to make sure you're not mixing them up.

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Here's a quick look at what each of the English present tenses looks like. To learn how to use them, watch the video :)

*Present simple:*

I go to the gym twice a week.

To ask a question, use ‘do’ or ‘does’ and the ‘base’ form of the verb:

How often does your sister go to the gym?

To make it into a negative sentence, add ‘not’ after ‘do/does’. For short, you can use ‘don’t/doesn’t’.

I go to the gym = I don’t go to the gym.

*Present continuous:*

I am drinking coffee right now.

So, it's 'to be' + verb + ing

To ask a question, invert 'to be' and the subject:

Are you drinking coffee right now?

To make it negative, add 'not' after 'to be':

I am not drinking coffee right now.

*Present perfect:*

I have had this car for a year.

So, you need ‘have/has' and the past participle form (third form). 'Had' is the past participle form of the verb 'to have'.

To ask a question, invert 'have/has' and the subject:

Has she lived here for a long time?

To make it negative, add 'not' after 'have/has':

I have not lived here for a long time.

*Present perfect continuous:*

I have been drinking this coffee for 10 minutes.

You need 'have/has' + 'been' + verb + ing

To ask a question, invert 'have/has' and the subject:

How long have you been waiting?

To make it negative, add 'not' after 'have/has':

He has not been waiting long.

*Tend to:*

I tend to have my lunch at midday.

What time do you tend to have your lunch?

I don’t tend to have lunch early.

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[RomanRussia]

I am an english teacher and i think Present Perfect is the most difficult tense in comparison with Past Simple.Students can not grasp the meaning and the difference between them.

[TrungPurpVN]

As an english teacher your videos always help me with preparing my lessons XD
Conveying ideas that has become second nature to me is hard

[mohamedhussein]

Brilliant explanation 👏 . I tend to listen carefully all your lessons, deeply appreciated for your exceptional teaching.
Always Present Perfect/Continous tenses are the most difficult in English grammar.

[jeangermain]

For me, the most difficult tense is the Present perfect continuous. As usual, your lesson is very interesting and clear. Thank you.

[goindigo]

For me, present perfect is the most difficult tense in comparison with the other ones. I’m from Argentina and I’m learning English, thanks a lot for your lessons.

[arkanmounir]

Simple and effective presentation method. Even beginners like me can understand you. Thank you very much and more progress.

[torello]

Pani Ago! Mieszkanie a UK 20 lat lecz po raz pierwszy ktos two " klawo " to wyklada! Brawo! Paul Robert

[twyjeue]

LOVE these videos! Thank you for making them! I'm curious if you could film a MASH UP of each ACTION for each verb at the end? "I drink 3 coffees every day." (you drinking coffee at 7:00am, 10:00am, and 2:00pm with a clock and sitting down at a different table or restaurant); "I am drinking coffee." (you sipping a coffee) etc...

[artinshorttime]

I think the present perfect and how we can decide which tens we can use. Perfect or prefect continuous or can we use one of them in all cases? Thank you my best teacher in all times

[nathenewendzel]

I'm frustrated I wasn't taught this at any point from Elementary through High School. They covered past, present, and future tenses in school, but they never built upon in further in English and Language Arts classes. I did sense a slight difference in meaning whenever I used or read or heard different forms, but I didn't really have the thought until I was thinking back upon learning about the topic in a Spanish class and started wondering do we have something like that in English. I thought about the different ways to say things in the present tense and how they each seem to give off a different kind of message that I can't exactly explain very well and well it appeared to be evidence that English might also have subcategories of the tenses and so I looked it up and now I'm using this video to educate myself and I will most likely use this new information while writing my stories and things of importance.

[majacichocka]

Very useful material and simple explanation and examples. Definitely like it and I hope to be more confident in speech from now.

[idabagusdarmaputra]

Great job Augnieszka...you have explained everything about present tenses...simple..present continues...present perfect..present perfect continues..and the last but not least using the word tend that little bit has relationsip with simple present tense..again thank you very much..I salute you❤❤❤

[oilppcx]

i do have a problem of understanding present and past perfect tenses. its sometimes confusing me madam. your video are very useful and your method of teaching is clear and easy to get it. thanks you very much

[hishamsalem]

Hi I am new to your videos although I speak fluent English but I am confused with how I apply the right grammar
Your videos is impressive and I like 👍 ❤
Thanks AGNUS

[rammmuanpuiichuaungo]

Brilliant explanation.... and simple to comprehend as well, thanks ☺️❤️

[hermawanyulianto]

It was an easy and clear explanation. Thanks a lot and subscribed.

[a.s.b.k]

Well done, you explain it very well. Understood.

[shaikmadhar]

My applaud to you keep on doing videos and will help us to explain my students in your way of teaching🎉

[sadamnawash]

Actually, Ur way is so splendid to how to explain the differences among tenses ..Thanks a lot.

[feelingsspeak]

Thank you aga for your most precious videos on tenses😍 I loved it.