Present Simple and Present Continuous

Present simple and continuous

GRAMMAR

1 Match the examples to the rules.

We use the present simple to talk about:

1 Right now, I’ m taking part in a competition for young game designers.

a facts.

b something that happens regularly.

2 In a few months, I’ m going on a kayaking trip with my cousin.

3 My friends and family say I’m a cheerful person.

We use the present continuous for:

4 This term, I’ m having tennis lessons.

5 I live with my parents.

c something that happening right now or around now.

d temporary situations.

e future plans.

c

e

b

d

c

a

2 Complete the sentences with the present simple and continuous form of the verbs in brackets.

rule b

get

1 I ________ (get) home at five o’clock every day.

2 Mum _____________(work) late this week.

3 Look at Dan. He ____________________(not concentrate).

4 ____ you __________ (do) anything interesting next weekend?

5 She ________ (play) the guitar and the piano.

6 He always _________ (go) swimming on Saturdays.

rule d

is working

rule c

isn’t concentrating

rule e

Are

doing

rule a

plays

rule b

goes

Match the sentences to the rules in Exercise 1 .

3 Look at Exercise 1 and 2 . Are these time words and phrases used with the present simple (PS) or present continuous (PC) .

PC

at the moment / right now

never, sometimes, always

every day / week / year

this month / term / week

later, tomorrow, tonight

on Saturdays, at weekends

next week / weekend / month

PS

PS

PC

PC

PS

PC

ANSWERS:

Paula usually go es to bed late but tonight she is going to bed early.

Paula usually drive s to work but today she is riding a bike.

Paula usually doesn't read novels but she is reading a great book at the moment .

Paula usually wear s jeans but today she is going to a wedding so she is wearing a dress.

Paula usually eat s meat but she is trying to lose weight so this week she is eating salad.

Make sentences with but to describe Paula’s usual life and what’ s happening now .

present continuous

present simple

Paula usually goes to bed late but tonight she’ s going to bed early.

now

usually

• tonight / early
• today / ride / a bike
• a great book / at the moment
• today / go / a wedding / so a dress
• try to lose weight / so this week /salad

• go to bed late
• drive to work
• not read novels
• wear jeans
• eat meat

We don’t use some verbs in continuous forms.

These verbs are called STATIVE VERBS

and include:

believe, hate, know, like, love, mean, need, own, prefer, understand, want.

I don’t understand this question.

NOT I’m not understanding this question.

4 Choose the correct form of the verbs.

‘ re having

1 We have / ‘re having problems with the computers at the moment.

2 I need / ‘m needing some new shoes.

3 I write / ‘m writing to you about a trip we are planning in November.

4 Tonight she goes / ‘s going to the cinema with some friends.

5 This term I have / ‘m having some extra maths lessons.

6 I never forget / ‘m never forgetting my homework.

need

‘ m writing

‘ s going

‘ m having

never forget

5 Make questions with the present simple or present continuous. Then ask and answer them.

1 What subjects are you studying this year?

2 What are you doing after school today?

1 What subjects / you / study / this year?

2 What you / do / after school / today?

3 Do you own more than one mobile phone?

3 you / own / more than one mobile phone?

4 What TV programmes do you watch every week?

4 What TV programmes / you / watch / every week?

5 Do you prefer playing sport or watching TV?

5 you / prefer / playing sport or watching TV?

6 What do you like doing on Sundays?

6 What / you / like / doing on Sundays?

7 What music do you listen to regularly?

7 What / music / you / listen to / regularly?

8 Are you having a party for your next birthday?

8 you / have / a party for your next birthday?