Present Simple: Describes habits, general truths, and routines.
Structure: Subject + base verb (+s/es for third-person singular)
Positive: You work every day. She works as a teacher.
Present Continuous: Describes ongoing actions happening now or temporary situations.
Structure: Subject + am/is/are + verb+ing
Examples: I am writing an essay. They are working on a project.
Present Perfect: Describes actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past or actions continuing into the present.
Structure: Subject + have/has + past participle
Examples: I have finished my homework. She has lived here for five years.
Present Perfect Continuous: Describes ongoing actions that started in the past. It is often used to emphasize the length of time.
Structure: Subject + have/has + been + verb+ing
Examples: I have been reading for an hour. They have been waiting since morning.
To better understand the difference between present perfect simple and present perfect continuous, consider watching this video.