Grammar › Verb Tenses › Present Tenses
Present Tenses
English has four present tenses, each with a different job:
- Present simple — habits and facts (I work).
- Present continuous — happening now (I'm working).
- Present perfect — the past linked to now (I've worked).
- Present perfect continuous — how long, up to now (I've been working).
Not sure which? The two you'll use most are the present simple and present continuous — see the contrast below.
| Tense | Use it for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present Simple | Habits, routines and permanent facts | I work in Girona. |
| Present Continuous | Actions happening around now | I'm working from home today. |
| Present Perfect | Past actions with a link to now | I've worked here since 2020. |
| Present Perfect Continuous | How long an action has lasted up to now | I've been working all morning. |
Which present tense?
- Is it a habit or a fact? → present simple (I check my email every day).
- Is it happening now or temporary? → present continuous (I'm checking my email).
- Does a past action matter now? → present perfect (I've checked my email).
The classic confusion is present simple vs present continuous — start there. At higher levels, compare present perfect vs present perfect continuous.
Frequently asked questions
How many present tenses are there in English?
Four: present simple, present continuous, present perfect and present perfect continuous. Each looks at the present in a different way.
What is the difference between the present simple and present continuous?
The present simple is for habits and facts (I work here); the present continuous is for actions happening now or temporary situations (I am working today).
Is the present perfect a present or a past tense?
It is a present tense in form (have/has + participle) that connects a past action to the present moment, which is why it belongs with the present tenses.