Present simple/present continuous

Simple Present/Present Simple

Use :

1) repeated actions

My friend often draws nice posters.

2) things in general

The sun rises in the East.

3) fixed arrangements, scheduled events

The plane flies to London every Monday.

4) actions in the present - one follows after the other

First I get up, then I have breakfast.

5) instructions

Open your books at page 34.

6) with special verbs

I understand English.

Signal words :

every day, often, always, sometimes, never

Form

infinitive (3rd person singular he, she, it: infinitive + -s )

I read books.

My brother read s books.

We sing pop songs.

She sing s pop songs.

I play handball.

John play s handball.

Negative sentences:

You must not negate a full verb in English. Always use the auxiliary do, does for negations.

I

I

like

don't

computers.

like

computers at all.

My friend

My mum

like s

doesn't

computers.

like

computers at all.

Questions:

Use the auxiliary do . Do you play football? Does he play football?

PRESENT CONTINUOUS is used for things…

• that are HAPPENING NOW, AT THE MOMENT

I'm working , so please call me back later.

Look! It is raining .

Are you enjoying this party?

I'm studying , can you be quiet?

The phone is ringing – can you answer it?

• that you are IN THE MIDDLE OF, but maybe NOT DOING NOW

I'm reading War and Peace at the moment. You can borrow it when I'm finished.

Tom wants to go to Paris, so he's learning French.

I need a new job, so I'm applying with lots of firms in town.

• that are HAPPENING AROUND NOW

Are you working this week? No, I'm sick.

You're working hard this morning. – – – I know, it is because I want to leave early today.

• that are CHANGING AROUND NOW

His English is certainly improving .

The cost of living is increasing very quickly.

SOME EXCEPTIONS…

• HERE COMES and THERE GOES

It is possible and normal to say " Here comes our train ” if you mean "Our train is coming now”.

It is also fine to say " There goes the bus ” if you mean "The bus is going away from us now”.

But, it is incorrect to say "Here is coming the train.” or "There is going the bus.”

• CONTINUOUS VERBS WITH THE IDEA OF CHANGE

Some verbs which are normally "Non-Continuous” can be used in continuous form to emphasize the idea of change or development.

These days, more and more people are preferring low-calorie foods.

The water is tasting better today.

I'm liking my job a lot more now than when I started.

(In this sentence, for example, the speaker means that she did not enjoy her job at the beginning, but that the situation is improving over time.)

1) Andy sometimes reads comics. (read)

2) We never watch TV in the morning. (watch)

3) Listen! Sandy is singing in the bathroom. (sing)

4) My sister usually helps in the kitchen. (help)

5) My mother is making breakfast now. (make)

6) They often clean the bathroom. (clean)

7) Look! The boys are coming home. (come)

8) Every day his grandfather goes for a walk. (go)

9) I am chatting with my friend at the moment. (chat)

10) Cats eat mice. (eat)

Form

• Write the verbs in Present Continuous :

speak - I play - they

run - we bake - she

jump - you

• Write the verbs in Simple Present , 3rd person singular :

be - it eat - she

have - he can - he

wash - she

Use

When to use which tense?

For actions happening regularly, often or never, we use :

For actions happening now, we use :

The verbs 'be', 'have', 'like' and 'want' are normally only used in :

The signal word 'usually' indicates that we have to use :

The signal word 'now' indicates that we have to use :

Positive sentences

• Complete the sentences. Use Simple Present or Present Continuous :

Look! They (leave) the house.

Brian (cycle) 30 km every day.

Samantha (do) her homework at the moment.

My parents (shop) right now.

He usually (get up) early in the morning.

Negative sentences

Complete the sentences. Use Simple Present or Present Continuous :

You (see / not) her every day.

The baby (sleep / not) at the moment.

I (read / not) a book now.

We (go / not) to school on Sundays.

He (watch / not) the news every day.

Question

Co mplete the sentences. Use Simple Present or Present Continuous :

(you / go) on holiday by plane sometimes?

(they / play) computer games every day?

(she / eat) dinner at the moment?

What (they / do) right now?

(she / visit) her grandma very often?

Text

Simple Present or Present Continuous :

Look! Jenny (go) to school.

On her back, Jenny (carry) her school bag.

The school bag (be) very heavy

Normally, Jenny (wear) black shoes, but today she (wear) red wellies.

And look, she (wear) a raincoat because it (rain) outside.

Jenny (not / want) to get wet.

Simple Present

Present Continuous

infinitive (3rd person singular: infinitive + 's' )

I speak you speak he / she / it speaks we speak they speak

form of 'be' and verb + ing

Exceptions

I am speaking you are speaking he / she / it is speaking we are speaking they are speaking

• E xcep tions when adding 's' : For can, may, might, must , do not add s . Example: he can, she may, it must
• After o, ch, sh or s , add es . Example: do - he does, wash - she washes
• After a consonant, the final consonant y becomes ie . (but: not after a vowel) Example: worry - he worries but: play - he plays

• E x ceptions when adding 'ing' : Silent e is dropped. (but: does not apply for -ee ) Example: come - coming but: agree - agreeing
• After a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled. Example: sit - sitting
• After a vowel, the final consonant l is doubled in British English (but not in American English). Example: travel - travelling (British English) but: traveling (American English)
• Final ie becomes y. Example: lie - lying

In general or right now?

Do you want to express that something happens in general or that something is happening right now?

Simple Present

Present Continuous

• in general (regularly, often, never)

Colin plays football every Tuesday.

• right now

Signal words

• present actions happening one after another

Look! Colin is playing football now.

• always
• every ...
• often
• normally
• usually
• sometimes
• seldom
• never
• first
• then

First Colin plays football, then he watches TV.

• also for several actions happening at the same time

• at the moment
• at this moment
• today
• now
• right now
• Listen!
• Look!

Note: The following verbs are usually only used in Simple Present: be, have, hear, know, like, love, see, smell, think, want

Colin is playing football and Anne is watching.

Timetable / Schedule or arrangement?

Do you want to express that something is arranged for the near future? Or do you refer to a time set by a timetable or schedule?

Simple Present

Present Continuous

• action set by a timetable or schedule :

The film starts at 8 pm.

• arrangement for the near future :

I am going to the cinema tonight.

Daily routine or just for a limited period of time?

Do you want to talk about a daily routine? Or do you want to emphasis that something is only going on for a limited (rather short) period of time?

Simple Present

• daily routine :

Present Continuous

Bob works in a restaurant.

• only for a limited period of time (does not have to happen directly at the moment of speaking)

Jenny is working in a restaurant this week.

Certain Verbs

The following verbs are usually only used in Simple Present ( not in the continuous form ) !

• state: be, cost, fit, mean, suit

Example: We are on holiday.

• possession: belong, have

Example: Sam has a cat.

• senses: feel, hear, see, smell, taste, touch

Example: He feels the cold.

• feelings: hate, hope, like, love, prefer, regret, want, wish

Example: Jane loves pizza.

• brain work: believe, know, think, understand

Example: I believe you.

• Introductory clauses for direct speech: answer, ask, reply, say

Example:”I am watching TV,” he says.

Exercise 1

Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple present or present progressive).

Look! He is leaving the house. (leave)

signal word: 'Look!' → present continuous Note: Silent e is dropped when adding ing .

Quiet please! I am writing a test. (write)

signal word: 'Quiet please!' (indicates that the action is going on right now) → present continuous Note: Silent e is dropped when adding ing .

She usually walks to school. (walk) signal word: 'usually' → simple present

But look! Today she is going by bike.

signal word: 'Look!' → present continuous

Every Sunday we go to see my grandparents. (go)

signal word: 'every Sunday' → simple present

He often goes to the cinema. (go)

signal word: 'often' → simple present

We are playing Monopoly at the moment. (play) signal word: 'at the moment' → present continuous Note: Silent e is dropped when adding ing ..

The child seldom cries. (cry) signal word: 'usually' → simple present Note: When adding 's', a final 'y' after a consonant (r) becomes 'ie' .

I am not doing anything at the moment. (not do)

signal word: 'at the moment' → present continuous.

Does he watch the news regularly? (watch)

signal word: 'regularly' → simple present Note: In negative sentences and questions we need an auxiliary. If no auxiliary is given, use 'do' or 'does' (third person singular).

Exercise 2

Marc Look at the picture on the right and complete the sentences (Simple Present or Present Continuous) :

This is Marc. (be) 'be' is normally only used in the simple form

He is wearing a T-shirt and shorts today. (wear)

What is he doing now? - Present Continuous(signal word: today)

He is eating an apple at the moment. (eat)

What is he doing now? - Present Progressive (signal word: at the moment)

Marc likes fruits and vegetables. (like)

'like' is normally only used in the simple form

He eats some every day. (eat)

What does he do in general? - Simple Present (signal word: every day)

Marc knows that apples are good for his health. (know)

'know' and 'be' are normally only used in the simple form

Exercise 3

Caroline Look at the picture on the right and complete the sentences (Simple Present or Present Progressive).

This is Caroline. (be)

'be' is normally only used in the simple form

Caroline has long blond hair. (have)

'have' is normally only used in the simple form

She usually wears glasses, but now she is wearing contact lenses .(wear)

What does she do in general? - Simple Present (signal word: usually) What is she doing now? - Present Progressive (signal word: now)

Caroline likes sports. (like)

'like' is normally only used in the simple form

She plays handball every Monday and Thursday. (play) What does she do in general? - Simple Present (signal word: every ...)

Exercise 4

Look at the picture on the right and complete the sentences (Simple Present or Present Progressive).

Joe and Dennis are best friends. (be)

'be' is normally only used in the simple form

They often meet in the afternoon . (meet)

What do they do in general? - Simple Present (signal word: often).

What are they doing at the moment? (do)

What is happening now? - Present Progressive (signal word: at the moment)

They are playing football. (be)

What is happening now? - Present Progressive (signal word in the question above)

They love football. (love)

'love' is normally only used in the simple form

Joe practises with his father every weekend, but Dennis

does not play football very often. (practise, not play)

What do they do in general? - Simple Present (signal word: every weekend, not very often)

Exercise 5

Look at the picture on the right and complete the sentences (Simple Present or Present Progressive).

These are Linda and Jeff. (be)

'be' is normally only used in the simple form

Linda is Jeff's little sister. (be)

'be' is normally only used in the simple form

At the moment, the two kids are sitting on the floor. (sit)

What is happening now? - Present Continuous (signal word: at the moment)

Jeff is holding a book right now, he is reading a story to Linda. (hold, read)

What is happening now? - Present Continuous (signal word: right now)

Look! Linda is listening carefully and she is looking at the beautiful pictures. (listen, look)

What is happening now? - Present Continuous (signal word: Look!) Linda loves Jeff's stories. (love)

'love' is normally only used in the simple form

He reads a story to her every day. (read)

What does he do in general? - Simple Present (signal word: every day) Jeff sometimes even writes his own stories. (write)

What does he do in general? - Simple Present (signal word: sometimes)

Exercise 6

Complete the story. Use Simple Present and Present Progressive.

It is early in the morning. (be)

'be' is normally only used in the simple form

Sally gets out of bed, opens the window and goes into the bathroom . (get,open,go)

actions happening one after another - Simple Present

Then she has breakfast. (have)

action happening after the others - Simple Present

After breakfast, Sally usually cycles to school. (cycle)

What does she do in general? - Simple Present (signal word: usually)

After school, she goes back home. (go)

What does she do in general? - Simple Present

Sally usually eats her lunch at home. (eat)

What does she do in general? - Simple Present (signal word: after)

In the afternoons, she first does her homework and then she meets her friends in the park. (do, meet)

actions happening one after another - Simple Present (signal words: first, then)

What is she doi now? (do)

What is happening now? – Present Continuous

She is playi ng the guitar. (play)

What is happening now? – Present Continuous

Her friends are listening and some of them are singing along. (listen, sing)

several actions happening at the same time at the moment of speaking – PresentCont .

Sally comes home in the evening, she has dinner and then she watches TV. (come, have, watch)

actions happening one after another - Simple Present (signal word: then)

She goes to bed at about 8 o'clock every day. (go)

What does she do in general? - Simple Present (signal word: every day)

Exercise 7

I am very busy today. (be)

'be' is normally only used in the simple form

At noon I am visiting my friend Tanya. (visit)

arrangement for the near future - Present Continuous

We want to have lunch together. (want)

'want' is normally only used in the simple form

In the afternoon I am playing squash with Emily. (play)

arrangement for the near future - Present Continuous

In the evening, I am meeting Rob. (meet)

arrangement for the near future - Present Continuous

We are going to the cinema. (go)

arrangement for the near future – Present Continuous

The film starts at 8 pm. (start)

action set by a timetable or schedule - Simple Present

Exercise 8

Complete the sentences. Use Simple Present and Present Progressive.

Look! Jenny is going to school. (go)

What is happening now? - Present Continuous (signal word: Look!)

She is wearing a raincoat and wellies and she is carrying an umbrella.

What is she wearing now? (wear, carry) – Present Continuous

Jenny usually cycles to school, but today she is taking the bus because it is raining. (cycle, take, rain)

What does she do in general? - Simple Present (signal word: usually) What is happening now? - Present Continuous (signal word: today) .

The bus leaves at 7.35 and arrives at Jenny's school at 7.45. (leave)

action set by a timetable or schedule - Simple Present

The first lesson begins at 8 o'clock. (begin)

action set by a timetable or schedule - Simple Present

Exercise 9

James lives in a little village. (live)

a daily routine - Simple Present

He is in his last year at school. (be)

'be' is normally only used in the simple form

After school, James wants to become a banker. (want)

'want' is normally only used in the simple form

So this week, he is doing a practical course in a bank. (do)

What is he doing only for a short period of time? - Present Continuous

There is a bank in a nearby town, but James has to take the bus to get there. (be, have)

'be' and 'have' are normally only used in the simple form

The bus leaves at 5.30 in the morning and returns at 8.15 in the evening. (leave, return)

actions set by a timetable or schedule - Simple Present

James does not like to spend so much time in town before and after work, waiting for the bus. (not like, wait)

‚ like' is normally only used in the simple form

Therefore, this week he is staying with his aunt, who lives in town. (stay, lives)

What is he doing only for a short period of time? – Present Continuous What does he do in general? - Simple Present

James usually wears jeans and t-shirts, but while he is working for the bank now, he is wearing a suit and a tie. (wear, work, wear)

What does he do in general? - Simple Present (signal word: usually) What is he doing only for a short period of time? – Present Continuous

Exercise 10

Complete the story. Use Simple Present and Present Progressive.

Today is Betty's birthday. (be)

'be' is normally only used in the simple form

Betty loves birthdays. (love)

'love' is normally only used in the simple form

She is always very excited and wakes up very early. (be, wake up)

What does she do in general? - Simple Present

At six o'clock in the morning, Betty hears a noise. (hear)

‚ hear' is normally only used in the simple form

She gets up and goes into the sitting room .(get up, go)

actions happening one after another - Simple Present.

What is going on? (go)

What is happening now? - Present Continuous

Look! Betty's cat Carlos is sitting on the table and he is playing with Betty's present. (sit, play)

What is happening now? - Present Continuous (signal word: Look!)

Exercise 11

Complete the sentences. Use Simple Present and Present Continuous:

Sue is a student from South Korea. (be)

'be' is normally only used in the simple form

She lives in Seoul and studies medicine .(live)

daily routine - Simple Present

At the moment, however, Sue is living in London. (live)

What is she doing only for a short period of time? - Present Continuous

She is doing a six-months practical course in a London hospital. (do)

What is she doing only for a short period of time? - Present Continuous

In five days, Sue is going back to South Korea because the next term at university starts in ten days. (go, start)

arrangement for the near future – Present Continuous action set by a timetable or schedule - Simple Present

Exercise 12

Complete the sentences. Use Simple Present and Present Progressive.

Mary and Joe are in a clothes shop at the moment. (be)

'be' is normally only used in the simple form

They are looking at some jeans. (look)

What is happening now? - Present Progressive

Joe only has one very old pair of jeans. (have)

'have' is normally only used in the simple form

So he wants to buy a new pair of jeans now. (want)

'want' is normally only used in the simple form

Right now, he is trying on a pair of blue jeans. (try)

What is he doing now? - Present Progressive

»These jeans fit very well , « he says . (fit)

'fit' is normally only used in the simple form introductory clauses for direct speech are normally only used in the simple form.

»But they do not suit you,« Mary replies . (not suit)

'suit' is normally only used in the simple form introductory clauses for direct speech are normally only used in the simple form .

»Try on another pair.« (try)

»What do you think ?« he asks (think, ask)

'think' is normally only used in the simple form introductory clauses for direct speech are normally only used in the simple form

Mary, when has tried on another pair. (have)

»Great! How much do they cost? (cost)

'cost' is normally only used in the simple form

Complete the sentences and use Present Simple or Present Continuous:

1. Every Monday, Sally (drive) her kids to football practice. 2. Usually, I (work) as a secretary at ABT, but this summer I (study) French at a language school in Paris. That is why I am in Paris. 3. Shhhhh! Be quiet! John (sleep) . 4. Don't forget to take your umbrella. It (rain) . 5. I hate living in Seattle because it (rain, always) . 6. I'm sorry I can't hear what you (say) because everybody (talk) so loudly. 7. Justin (write, currently) a book about his adventures in Tibet. I hope he can find a good publisher when he is finished. 8. Jim: Do you want to come over for dinner tonight? Denise: Oh, I'm sorry, I can't. I (go) to a movie tonight with some friends. 9. The business cards (be, normally ) printed by a company in New York. Their prices (be) inexpensive, yet the quality of their work is quite good. 10. This delicious chocolate (be) made by a small chocolatier in Zurich, Switzerland.

• Look! Junko ________ into the water.

• jumps is jumping
• jumps
• is jumping

• I ________ lunch in the cafeteria every day.

• have am having
• have
• am having

• You won't find Jerry at home right now. He ________ in the library.

• studies is studying
• studies
• is studying

• Salman is rich — he ________ a Mercedes.

• drives is driving
• drives
• is driving

• Once a week, I ________ to an art class at the college.

• go am going
• go
• am going

• Don't give Jan any cheese. She ________ it!

• hates is hating
• hates
• is hating

• I ________ you're crazy!

• think am thinking
• think
• am thinking

• I ________ to Toronto next Thursday. Do you want to come?

• go am going
• go
• am going

• Marie-Claude isn't a Canadian. I ________ she comes from France.

• believe am believing
• believe
• am believing

• It ________ quite hard — perhaps we shouldn't go out tonight.

• snows is snowing
• snows
• is snowing

Choose the right answer:

Complete the sentences and use Present Simple/ Continuous:

• Next week, my friends and I are going (go) camping in the woods. I am organizing (organize) the food, because I like (like) cooking. Dave has (have) a big car with a trailer, so he is planning (plan) the transportation. Sam is bringing (bring) the tent — he goes (go) camping every year, so he has (have) a great tent and lots of other equipment. My wife thinks (think) we're crazy. She likes (like) holidays in comfortable hotels, so she is taking (take) a trip to Paris instead.

2. I [am working] on a big new project this month. (work )

Are you [trying] to learn English? (try)

It is easy to hear where she [comes] from by her accent. (come)

The sun [rises] every morning. (rise)

We [play] football on Tuesdays. (play)

Can she [speak] English? (speak)

Look! The sun [is rising]! (rise)

Most children [like] hot dogs. (like)

We [want] the bill now, please. (want)

Is that man [speaking] English? (speak)

PRESENT CONTINUOUS VIDEO:

http://www.eslkidslab.com/lessons/course3/videos/actionsdoing/index.html

ZDROJE:

Course 3 Lesson 5 : Actions - Present Progressive. Eslkidslab.com [online]. 2012 [cit. 2012-06-25]. Dostupné z: http://www.eslkidslab.com/lessons/course3/videos/actionsdoing/index.html

Simple Present – Present Progressive. Ego4u.com [online]. 2010 [cit. 2012-06-25]. Dostupné z: http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/simpre-prepro

English Test Simple Present and Present Progressive. Ego4u.com [online]. 2010 [cit. 2012-06-25]. Dostupné z: http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/simpre-prepro/tests?test3

Verb Tense Exercise 1. Englishpage.com [online]. 2012 [cit. 2012-06-25]. Dostupné z: http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/verbs1.htm

Present Simple or Present Continuous?. University of Victoria - Study Zone [online]. 2012 [cit. 2012-06-25]. Dostupné z: http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/simcon1.htm