is a verb tense that allows us to talk about things that are generally true or habitual actions in the present. it like describing the simple things in life!
structure
Form:
Affirmative
(I – We – You – They) + V1
(He – She – It) + Vs (we add –s) run – runs, eat – eats.
(we add –es when verb ends in ss, sh, ch, x, z, o) fix- fixes, go – goes
(when the verb ends in consonant + y) cry – cries, study – studies
(we add s when the verb end in vowels + y) play – plays
Example:
- she sleeps
- I sleep
Negative
(I – We – You – They) +don’t + base form
(He – She – It) + doesn’t + base form
Example:
- he doesn’t sleep
- they don’t sleep
Question
Do + subject (I – We – You – They) + base form
Does + subject (He – She – It) + base form
Example:
- does she sleep?
- do they sleep?
describes an action that started in the past and continuous to the present
We often use for and since when talking about time
|
For |
Since |
|
for 20 minutes all tenses |
since 9am perfect tenses |
For can be used with all tenses. Here are a few examples:
- They study for two hours every day.
- I worked at that school for five years.
Since is normally used with perfect tenses:
- He has been here since 9am
- How long is it since you got married?
Note:
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We do not use the present perfect with adverbials which refer to a finished past time: |
structure
1 In pairs, look at the photos and say which job you would prefer to have and why.
I’d like to be a lifeguard. You don’t get paid much but I love the sea.
Students’ own answers
2 Match sentences a–c with the people in the photos. Listen and check.
a 3 I’ve been in Australia since November.
b 2 I’ve loved Japan since I was a little kid.
c 1 I’m my own boss but I haven’t had a good break for weeks.
3 Study the Grammar box and Watch Out! and check your answers to Exercise 2.
WATCH OUT!
We don’t use the Present Simple tense to talk about situations that began in the past and continue in the present:
I ’ve worked here for four years. NOT I work here for four years.
4 Listen again and answer the questions using the Present Perfect and for or since. In pairs, check your answers.
1 How many jobs has Fawzi had since he left university? He’s had 4 jobs since he left university.
2 How long has Talal had his current job? He’s had his current job since January.
3 How long has Ali worked in Japan?
He's worked in Japan for three years.
4 Has Ali had a holiday recently?
No, he hasn’t had a holiday since he started that job/for ten months.
5 How long has Fawzi been away from Dubai?
He’s been away from Dubai for fifteen months.
6 How long has Fawzi been a lifeguard?
He’s been a lifeguard for two weeks.
5 Rewrite the sentences with the Present Perfect and for, since or How long.
1 He lost his job in January.
He has been out of work since January.
2 I started working here four months ago.
I’ve worked here for four months.
3 How long ago did you become a teacher?
How long have you been a teacher?
6 SPEAKING In pairs, ask and answer questions in the Present Perfect. Use How long, the prompts below and your own ideas.
be here study at this school have this English book mum/dad have his/her job
A How long have you been here?
B I’ve been here for 30 minutes.
A I’ve been here since ten o’clock.
Students' own answers
