Present - rules & example
Facts and permanent states
Jack works as a nurse. - Present Simple
General truths and laws of nature
The sun sets in the west. - Present Simple
She ______ the answer, so she asked her friends for help. (not know)
didn't know
When I was young, I _____ in the park with my friends every evening. (play)
used to play / would play / played
We usually _______ use our mobile phones during class. (2 options)
can't / aren't allowed to
An action that happened at an unstated time in the past. The emphasis is on the action, the time when it occurred is unimportant or unknown.
I have washed the car. - Present Perfect
To put emphasis on the duration of an action which started in the past and continues up to the present.
We have been decorating the living room all morning. - Present Perfect Continuous
We ________ the living room when the doorbell rang. (clean)
were cleaning
didn't use to have / didn't have
Thanks for the present, but you really _______ get me anything! (2 options)
didn't need to / didn't have to / needn't have
For actions taking place at or around the moment of speaking.
Jean is doing her homework. - Present Continuous
For temporary situations
We are fixing the fence this week. - Present Continuous
We got lost when we were hiking because we _______ a map. (bring)
hadn't brought
He _____ in Manchester, but he's been living in Barcelona since 2010. (live)
used to live
Oh no! You didn't finish the project? You _______ hand that in to the teacher yesterday!
(external expectation)
were supposed to
Timetables and programmes (in the future)
His plane leaves at 10 next Friday. - Present Simple
For currently changing and developing situations
The temperature is becoming warmer and warmer. - Present Continuous
Annie _____ the Christmas tree while her friends ______ chocolate chip cookies. (decorate, bake)
was decorating, were baking
A long time ago, people ______ that the world is round. (not believe)
didn't use to believe / didn't believe
A: Do you know where Hanna is?
B: I'm not sure, she _______ home early. (go)
may / might / could have gone
A recently completed action
I have just painted the house. - Present Perfect
For repeated actions that started in the past and have continued to the present.
Present Perfect Continuous - I have been playing the piano since I was 10.
Pol was exhausted when he got home. He ________ since 10 am and it was now almost midnight. (work)
had been working
In the 1990s, many people from Eastern Europe ____ to the USA. (immigrate)
A: Can you believe Pat didn't come to Marie's birthday party?
B: I know! He _______ it was this weekend! (forgot)
must have forgotten