THE PRESENT SIMPLE

1) To denote recurrent actions with terminative verbs.

He sends me a postcard every Christmas.

2) To denote permanent actions with durative verbs.

She loves her children dearly.

3) To denote a universal truth.

When water reaches 100 degrees Celcius, it boils.

4) In stage directions, in comments, in presentations to denote a succession of single

point actions.

They shake hands. As he passes Vivie, he shakes hands with her also and bids her
good-night.

5) To denote an action happening at the moment of speaking with STATIVE verbs.

I quite understand what you mean.

He wants to see you for a minute.

"Do you object, Dad?" said the girl.

6) To denote an instantaneous action happening at the moment of speaking as such

(the speaker does not focus on the process, but they focus on the action itself).

"I repeat, the girl has been extremely impertinent," he said.

You leave me no choice.

I swear it to you!

Frequently used in exclamatory and interrogative sentences, namely special

questions:

7) To denote a future action in subordinate clauses of time (not in reported questions)

(conjunctions when, while, till, until, before, after, as soon as, once).

Will you wait while I look through the manuscript?

She won't go to bed till you come.

I shall have a look at his paper when I get it.

8) To denote a future action in subordinate clauses of condition (conjunctions if,
unless, on condition (that), provided (providing) and in case).

If you send me a line to my club, it'll be forwarded at once.

But I must have the doctor handy, in case she feels worse.

9) To denote a future action in subordinate clauses of concession (conjunctions even

if, even though, no matter how, whenever, whatever, however).

Even if he hates me I shall never do him any harm.

I'll have dinner whenever it's ready.

10) To denote a future action in subordinate clauses after the verbs TO SEE TO, TO
TAKE CARE, TO MAKE SURE, TO BE SURE.

I'll see that the lady is properly looked after.

Her husband will look after her, and make sure no harm comes to her.

He will take care that no one interferes with them.

11) In some special questions with reference to immediate future.

What do we do next? ('Что будем сейчас делать?')

Where do we go now? ('Куда сейчас пойдем?')

What happens next? ('Что сейчас будет?')

You look ill. Why don't you go home? ("Ты плохо выглядишь. Почему бы тебе не
пойти домой?')

12) To denote a future action according to a timetable, pro- gramme, schedule,

command or arrangement.

Our tourist group sleep at the Globo hotel this night and start for Berlin tomorrow
morning. (According to the itinerary)

"Can you tell me what time the game starts today, please?" (According to the
schedule)

13) To to describe a succession of past events vividly, it is used in the so-called

historic or dramatic present.

She arrives full of life and spirit. And about a quarter of an hour later she sits down
in a chair, says she doesn't feel well, gasps a bit and dies.
THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS

1) an action going on at the moment of speaking (key words: now, at the moment,
at present)

2) an action going on at the present period (at the so-called “around now” period)

3) an action characterizing a person to bring out the person's typical traits. Such
sentences have emotional colouring. (Key words: always, constantly).

4) an action which will take place in the nearest future due to one's previous decision.

5) an action happening at the moment of speaking expressed by a stative verb that

changed its meaning

6) with a stative verb to bring out emotional colouring expressed by the speaker.

THE PRESENT PERFECT

1) The Present Perfect Exclusive is used to express an accomplished action which

is viewed from the moment of speaking as part of the present situation.

2) The Present Perfect Inclusive serves to express an action which began before
the moment of speaking and continues into it or up to it with STATIVE verbs.

3) The Present Perfect “Future” is used in adverbial clauses of TIME introduced by

the conjunctions when, before, after, as soon as, till and until with DURATIVE verbs
to express a FUTURE action.

THE PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

1) The Present Perfect Continuous Exclusive serves to express an action which was in
progress for some time and which somehow affects the present situation
2) The Present Perfect Continuous Inclusive serves to express an action which began
before the moment of speaking and continues into it or up to it with DYNAMIC
DURATIVE verbs.