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Present Simple - Present Continuous Review

The document explains the differences between present simple and present continuous forms in English, including their short forms used in spoken language. It outlines the uses of present simple for regular habits, permanent situations, and scheduled future events, while present continuous is used for actions in progress, temporary actions, and future arrangements. Additionally, it notes that stative verbs cannot be used in the present continuous tense.

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44 views5 pages

Present Simple - Present Continuous Review

The document explains the differences between present simple and present continuous forms in English, including their short forms used in spoken language. It outlines the uses of present simple for regular habits, permanent situations, and scheduled future events, while present continuous is used for actions in progress, temporary actions, and future arrangements. Additionally, it notes that stative verbs cannot be used in the present continuous tense.

Uploaded by

Lavinia Marchi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Present simple vs present continuous – Form

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Present simple – short forms

We normally use short forms in spoken English.

• do not = don’t
• does not = doesn’t

Present continuous – short forms


We normally use short forms in spoken English.

• am not = ‘m not
• is not = isn’t/’s not
• are not = aren’t/’re not

Present simple vs present continuous – Use

• Present simple use


Habits or situations that happen regularly
We use the present simple to talk about actions that we do (o we don’t
do) regularly:

o I wash my hair every day.


o I never go to the library.
o I sometimes go to the library.

Permanent situations or things that are usually or often true


o I don’t drink coffee.
o She’s very tall.
o I have two brothers.
o Water boils at 100 degrees.
o I like soup.

Adverbs of frequency
We often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency (always,
sometimes, etc.) and expressions of frequency (once every three months,
twice a week, every other day, etc.).

Adverbs of frequency go in mid position (before the main verb or


after be).

o She doesn’t often eat hamburgers.


o He usually gets up very early.
o I am never late.

Expressions of frequency go at the end of the sentence

o We go to the cinema once a month.


o I buy clothes twice a year.

Future events that are timetabled


We use the present simple to talk about future events that are scheduled
or timetabled.

o The train leaves at 4.


o Shops close at 6.
o My yoga class is tomorrow at 10.
Present continuous use
Actions in progress
We use the present continuous to talk about things that are happening
now or ‘around now’ (a time around this moment, such as these days,
weeks or months)

o I can’t talk know. I’m brushing my teeth.


o I finished the Lord of the Rings and now I’m reading a new book.

Temporary actions
The present continuous is used to talk about temporary actions:

o I’m going to work by bus this week because my car is at the garage.
o I’m living with my cousins until I find a flat.

With expressions meaning ‘now’ or ‘around now’.


The present continuous often appears next to expressions such
as now, these days, this week/month, or at the moment.

o He’s studying a lot this week.


o I’m not feeling very well these days.

Situations that are changing or developing


o The climate is changing very quickly.
o More and more people are trying to eat more healthily nowadays.
o Your English is improving.

Future arrangements
We use the present continuous to talk or ask about future actions that are
already planned or decided.

o I‘m meeting John this evening. Do you want to come?


o We are leaving tomorrow at 7.

Stative verbs
Non-action verbs (or stative verbs) cannot be used in present continuous.
They must be used in present simple. The most frequent are the verbs of
the senses(hear, see, smell, look, seem, sound), verbs of opinion (believe,
consider, like, love, hate, prefer, think, etc.) verbs of possession (have,
own, belong, etc.). Othercommon non-action verbs are: agree, be,
depend, need, mean, remember, realise, recognise, seem, want, etc.

o Please, give me my money; I need it now.


o Look at her; she seems sad.

Some verbs have an action and a non-action meaning; for example, have
or think:

o I have a car (=possession) / I’m having a siesta (=action)


o I think he is great (=opinion) / What are you thinking? (=action)

The verb see also has a dynamic and a stative meaning.

o I‘m seeing the doctor tomorrow at 9. (see= ‘have an appointment’)


o What do you see in this picture? (see= ‘see with your eyes’)

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