English Grammar: All 4 Present Tenses

Summary

This lesson explores the four present tenses in English: present simple, present continuous, present perfect, and present perfect continuous. Using Leonardo DiCaprio as an example, the video explains the uses of each tense, from describing facts and habits with the present simple to actions happening now with the present continuous, achievements and experiences with the present perfect, and ongoing actions with the present perfect continuous. The lesson provides clear examples and practical applications of each tense to help learners understand how to use them in everyday English.

Takeaways

• 😀 Present Simple is used for facts, habits, hobbies, and schedules. For example: 'He lives in Los Angeles.'
• 😀 Present Continuous is used for actions happening right now or around now, and to describe pictures. For example: 'He is filming a new movie right now.'
• 😀 Present Perfect connects past actions to the present. It is used for achievements, experiences, and lack of experience. For example: 'He has won an Oscar.'
• 😀 Present Perfect Continuous is used for actions that started in the past and are still continuing or recently completed actions with visible effects. For example: 'He has been acting for over 30 years.'
• 😀 Present Simple formula: Subject + Verb. Example: 'I work.'
• 😀 Present Continuous formula: Subject + to be (am/are/is) + Verb + ing. Example: 'He is playing tennis.'
• 😀 Present Perfect formula: Subject + have/has + past participle. Example: 'He has won an Oscar.'
• 😀 Present Perfect Continuous formula: Subject + have/has been + Verb + ing. Example: 'He has been acting for 30 years.'
• 😀 Present Perfect does not use exact times. For example, 'He has won an Oscar' focuses on the action, not when it happened.
• 😀 The Present Perfect Continuous tense can also be used to talk about actions that recently stopped but still have an effect. For example: 'He has been filming all week, so he looks tired.'

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video script?

The main topic of the video script is explaining the four present tenses in English: present simple, present continuous, present perfect, and present perfect continuous.

What is the formula for the present simple tense?

The formula for present simple tense is Subject + verb (e.g., 'I work').

How do we use the present simple tense in English?

We use the present simple tense to talk about facts, habits, hobbies, and schedules or timetables.

Can you provide an example of present simple used to describe a habit?

An example of present simple describing a habit is: 'He gets up late every morning.'

What is the formula for the present continuous tense?

The formula for present continuous tense is Subject + to be (am/is/are) + verb + ing (e.g., 'I am working').

When do we use the present continuous tense?

We use the present continuous tense for actions happening right now, actions happening around now (such as this week, this month), and to describe pictures.

What is the difference between present perfect and present simple?

Present perfect connects past actions to the present and focuses on the result or effect, while present simple describes general facts or habits. For example, 'He has won an Oscar' (present perfect) vs. 'He is a famous actor' (present simple).

What is the formula for the present perfect tense?

The formula for present perfect tense is Subject + have/has + past participle of the verb (e.g., 'I have worked').

What does present perfect express in terms of time?

Present perfect expresses actions that happened in the past but are connected to the present, either through ongoing effects or continued relevance.

What is the formula for the present perfect continuous tense?

The formula for present perfect continuous tense is Subject + have/has + been + verb + ing (e.g., 'I have been working').

When do we use present perfect continuous tense?

We use present perfect continuous to talk about actions that started in the past and are still happening, or actions that have recently stopped but have visible effects.

Can you give an example of present perfect continuous used to describe something that has recently stopped?

An example is: 'He has been filming all week, so he looks tired.' The action of filming recently stopped, and the effect (tiredness) is visible.

What is an important rule when using the present perfect tense with time expressions?

An important rule is that we never use an exact time with the present perfect tense. For example, 'He has won an Oscar in 2006' is incorrect. Instead, we should remove the specific time: 'He has won an Oscar.'