Definition of Present Simple, Perfect and Continuous

The verb forms in the Spanish language belong to three different conjugations: verbs that end in “ar” (to walk or jump), those that end in “er” (break) and those that end in “go” (leave). Also, there are regular and irregular verbs. There are three present verb forms: simple, perfect, and continuous.

The use of the present simple

We use this verb form to express actions that occur regularly (they play in the yard every day). We also use it to give information about something (the chair is high), to provide information about universal circumstances (the Earth is round), to communicate something that will happen in the future (tomorrow we have lunch with the Martinez).

Likewise, the present simple is used to express a condition (if you work a lot, you get more profit) and in a historical sense related to the past (Christopher Columbus discovers America in 1492).

If something is maintained over time, this verb form is also used (the streets of my city are dirty).

The use of the present continuous

It is formed from the verb estar plus the gerund form of the verb. We use it when we want to communicate that something is happening the moment it is spoken. Thus, if I write now and someone asks me what I do, I will say that "I am writing."

The present continuous should not be used in those cases in which a regularity is transmitted (it would not be correct to say "I am going to bed at eleven every day").

We also use the present continuous when we want to give an order ("you're already fixing your room!")

The use of the present perfect or past perfect compound

It is formed with the auxiliary verb “haber” and the participle of the verb. In general terms, we use it to refer to actions in the past that have some relation to the present moment of the person who is speaking. For example: "I have eaten very well today" or "we have worked a lot lately."

The preterite simple perfect and compound have distinct functions. The first is used when we want to indicate that the action of the past has no relation to the present moment ("my friend I buy an car secondhand").

If I wanted to express that the aforementioned event is more recent, I would say "my friend has bought a second-hand car." However, in Latin America the simple past is used more than the past perfect (most likely a Latin American would say "this morning I worked a lot" instead of saying "this morning I worked a lot".

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