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PRESENT SIMPLE

Present simple is used for:


-

permanent situations or states (= situatii permanente)

Ex: She woks in a bank. (= Ea lucreaza intr-o banca.)

Permanent truths or laws of nature (=adevaruri permanente sau legi ale naturii);

Ex: The sun rises in the east. (= Soarele rasare din est.);

Repeated/habitual actions (especially with frequency adverbs: often, usually, always


etc.) (= actiuni repetate/obiceiuri, se folosesc adverbe precum: deseori, de obicei,
intotdeauna etc.);

Ex: He always goes to bed at 11 oclock. (= El intotdeauna se duce in pat la 11.) ;

Reviews/sports commentaries/ dramatic narrative (= recenzii/ cometarii sportive/


naratiuni dramatice);

Ex: Smythe serves the ball and Lanyon misses it. (= Smythe serveste mingea si Lanyon o rateaza.);

Timetables/ programmes (future reference) (= program);

Ex: The train leaves at 8.00. (= Trenul pleaca la ora 8.);

In exclamatory sentences (in propozitii exclamatorii);

Ex: There goes the bus! (= S-a dus autobuzul!).

Time expressions usually used with Present Simple:


Every day/ week/month/year = in fiecare zi/saptamana/luna/an;
Usually = de obicei;
Sometimes = cateodata;
Always = mereu;
Rarely = rareori;
Often = deseori;
In the morning/evening/ afternoon = dimineata/ seara/ dupa amiaza;
At night = noaptea;
On Mondays = Lunea

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

Present Continuous is used for:

Temporary situations;

Ex: He is spending the week with his mother.


-

Changing or developing situations;

Ex: She is getting more and more impatient.

Frequently repeated actions with always, constantly, continually, expressing


annoyance or criticism;

Ex: Hes always getting into trouble. ( Here always means constantly.)

Actions happening at or around the moment of speaking;

Ex: The sun is shining now.


He is studying for the exams.

Fixed arrangements in the near future.

Ex: Im going to the theatre this evening.

Time expressions usually used with Present


Continuous:
Now = acum;
At the moment = in acest moment;
At present = in present;
Nowadays = in zilele de astazi;
Today = azi;
Tonight = in noaptea asta;
Always = intotdeauna;
Still = inca.

PRESENT PERFECT

Present Perfect is used for:


-

recently completed actions;

Ex: She has dyed her hair black. (The action is complete her hair is now dyed black evidence in the
present)

complete past actions connected to the present with stated or unstated time
reference;

Ex: He has bought a house. (Now he owns a house)


He has just returned from Paris. (stated time reference)

personal experiences/ changes which have happened;

Ex: I have lost weight recently.

Emphasis on number.

Ex: He has seen three films this week.


She has had four cups of coffee since she woke up.

PRESENT PERFECT

CONTINUOUS
Present Perfect Continuous is used for:
-

Actions started in the past and continuing up to the present;

Ex: She has been doing her homework for an hour. (She started an hour ago and shes still doing it.)

Past actions of certain duration having visible results or effects in the present;

Ex: He has been running. Thats why hes out of breath.

To express anger, irritation, annoyance, explanations or criticism.

Ex: She has been using my make-up. (annoyance)

Present Perfect Continuous is normally used with for, since or how long to put
emphasis on duration.

Ex: He has been feeling unwell for days.

Time expressions usually used with Present Perfect


& Present Perfect Continuous:

Just, ever, never, already, yet (negations & questions), always, how long, so far, recently,
since (= from a starting point in the past), for (= over a period of time), today, this
week/month etc.
FOR and SINCE are usually used with Present Perfect Continuous to emphasize
durations of an action.

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