1
× I living in Barcelona.
× I’m live in Barcelona.
√ I’m living in Barcelona.
√ I live in Barcelona.
The –ing form of a verb CANNOT be used after the subject of the sentence; it is NOT a verb tense. You can use the verb be + the -ing form of another verb to form the present continuous, or you can use the present simple of the verb (depending on the meaning).
Remember that the present simple of a verb is only one word.
2
× I don’t work at the moment.
√ I’m not working at the moment.
We use present continuous (NOT present simple) with expressions such as now or at the moment. ‘We are studying Shakesepeare now.’ ‘I’m looking for a job at the moment.’
3
× I have this watch since I was a kid.
√ I’ve had (have had) this watch since I was a kid.
× I know him since twenty years ago.
√ I’ve known him for twenty years.
We use present perfect for actions or states that started in the past and continue in the present. We normally use present perfect simple with non-action verbs (have, be, know, believe, etc) and present perfect continuous with action verbs: ‘I have been stuyding English since I was seven years old.’