Present Tenses in English: Detailed Guide

In English grammar topics, to describe actions that occur near the time of speaking, we often use the present tense. For those of you who are studying for the IELTS exam, you need to clearly understand the structure as well as how to use this basic group of tenses proficiently to be ready to absorb more advanced knowledge.

In the article below, join IDP to learn in detail about the formula and usage of the English present tenses, and at the same time get familiar with this form of tense through the sample exercises provided below. And if you are confident with your knowledge base, register for the IELTS exam with IDP now!

Definition The Simple Present describes habitual actions, general truths, fixed schedules, and feelings.

Structure

Uses

• Daily routines and habits

• Universal truths

• Schedules (e.g. timetables)

• Present states or opinions

• Instructions and commands

• First conditional sentences

Time Clues Words like always, usually, often, sometimes, seldom, never, every day, monthly, once a week.

Definition This tense describes actions happening now, around now, planned future events, or irritating habits.

Structure

Uses

• Ongoing actions at the moment

• Temporary actions around the present

• Near‑future plans

• Complaints about repeated annoying behaviour

Time Clues Phrases like now, right now, at the moment, this week, always (with irritation), look!, listen!.

Definition Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, repeated past actions, unclear‑time past events, life experiences, and past events with present results.

Structure

Uses

• Actions from past continuing to now

• Habitual past actions

• Actions at unspecified past times

• Personal experiences

• Results affecting the present

Time Clues For, since, just, already, yet, ever, never, recently, so far, up to now.

Definition Highlights the duration of an action that began in the past and continues now.

Structure

Uses

• Ongoing past actions up to now

• Temporary continuous actions

• Frequent actions

• Actions with unclear end time

Time Clues Phrases like since, for, all morning, all week.

Exercise 1: Simple Present

Complete the paragraph with correct forms:

My cousin, Peter, 1. (have) ……..……….. a dog. It 2. (be) ……..……….. an intelligent pet with a short tail and big black eyes. Its name 3. (be) ……..………... Kiki and it 4. (like) ……..……….. eating pork. However, it 5. (never/ bite) ……..……….. anyone; sometimes it 6. (bark) ……..……….. when strange guests visit. To be honest, it 7. (be) ……..……….. very friendly. It 8. (not/ like) ……..……….. eating fruits, but it 9. (often/ play)……….. with them. When the weather 10.(become) ……..……….. bad, it 11.(just/ sleep) ……..……….. in his cage all day. Peter 12. (play) ……..……….. with Kiki every day after school. There 13. (be)……….. many people on the road, so Peter 14. (not/ let) ……..………... the dog run into the road. He 15. (often/ take) ……..………..  Kiki to a large field to enjoy the peace there. Kiki 16. (sometimes/ be)  ……..………... naughty, but Peter loves it very much.

Exercise 2: Present Continuous

Fill in the blanks:

1. I ……..………... for a walk in the park. (go)

2. They ……..………… their homework at the moment. (do)

2. She ……..………...her friend on the phone right now. (talk)

4. We ……..………... on a new project. (work)

5. He ……..………... a book in the library. (read)

6. The children ……..………... in the garden. (play)

7. The teacher ……..………... the lesson on the whiteboard. (write)

8. They ……..………... a party at their house tonight. (have)

9. I ……..………... a cup of tea and relaxing. (have)

10. The dog ……..………... in the backyard. (play)

Exercise 3: Present Perfect vs Continuous

Choose correct tense:

1. The price of petrol ……..……… (rise) by 15% over the past year.

2. No wonder you are overweight! You ……..……… (eat) chocolates all day long!

3. I ……..……… (read) a really good book this morning.

4. Doesn’t this room look better? I ……..……… (put) some posters up on the walls.

5. Don’t disappoint me! I ……..……… (count) on you.

6. Don’t forget your pills today. Have you ……..……… (take) them?

7. Who ……..……… (wear) my scarf?

8. I think there’s something wrong with your motorbike. It’s ……..……… (make) some very funny noises.

Exercise 1: Simple Present

Exercise 2: Present Continuous

1. I am going for a walk in the park.

2. They are doing their homework at the moment.

3. She is talking to her friend on the phone right now.

4. We are working on a new project.

5. He is reading a book in the library.

6. The children are playing in the garden.

7. The teacher is writing the lesson on the whiteboard.

8. They are having a party at their house tonight.

9. I am having a cup of tea and relaxing.

10. The dog is playing in the backyard.

Exercise 3: Present Perfect vs Continuous

Mastering Present Tenses for IELTS

Mastering present tenses enhances your accuracy and confidence in IELTS. Need more practice? IDP offers workshops, personalized courses, and mock tests—especially computer‑based IELTS with flexible scheduling.

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