Present Simple or Present Continuous?
Introduction
The simple present tense is often confused with the present continuous tense. This page will explain when to use each one.
1. The simple present tense
The simple present tense is used for two main types of action:
Habits
Actions which happen regularly (for example, every day or every week)
States
Things which do not often change (for example, opinions and conditions)
Some examples will help to make this clearer:
Type of action
Examples
Explanations
Habit
Young-Mi goes to class every day.
“Every day” is a habit.
It rains a lot in Vancouver.
This means that it rains often.
Santos always talks about his family.
“Always” means this is a habit.
Jerry spends Christmas with his parents.
This implies that he spends Christmas with his parents every year.
State
Bianca lives in Florida.
This is a state, because it doesn't change.
Jean-Paul has red hair.
Someone's hair colour doesn't usually change.
Martin likes chocolate.
When we like something, usually we will always like it.
Anna believes in God.
Beliefs and opinions are states. They don't often change.
2. The present continuous tense is used for two main types of action:
A temporary action happening now
Something which is going on right now (but it will stop in the future)
A definite plan for the future
Something we intend to do, usually in the near future
Temporary action happening right now
John is winning the game.
Right now, John is winning, but the game isn't finished yet.
It's raining outside.
It's raining right now (but it may stop soon).
Soraya's working in the library.
She's working there right now.
Sihol is spending Christmas with his family.
He's spending Christmas with his family right now, this year. (Maybe next year he won't.)
Definite plan for the future
I'm playing soccer tomorrow.
This plan is already arranged and definite.
Sarah's leaving for San Francisco on Friday.
She has probably already bought her ticket.
The Olympics are taking place here next year.
This is already certain.
I'm having a party next week.
All the plans have been made.
'Where is Alan?' 'He is playing football in the garden.'
The water for the tea is boiling...Look
'I am reading an interesting book right now...' 'About?' 'About love.' -.
Your friend is in Brazil for two months...He is learning Portuguese.
Listen to this African man...What language is he speaking?
Alan plays football in the park on Sundays.
Water boils at 100º Centigrades.
We read a lot of Shakespeare at school.
Normal people learn to read and write at six or seven...
'What do you usually do at night?' 'I watch tv.
I speak English, but unfortunately I don't speak Spanish.
I am worried because the number of people without a job increases is increasing
The moon goes is going round the earth.
Spelling of Verb + ING
For many verbs we make the ING form by simply adding -ING to end of the verb.
· eat – eating speak – speaking cook – cooking start – starting do - doing
· stay – staying fix – fixing try - trying
Verbs ending with -e (with the exception of verbs ending in -ee and -ie)
Drop the -e and add ING
· hope – hoping ride – riding make – making write - writing
Verbs ending with -ee
Just add -ING: agree – agreeing flee – fleeing see - seeing
Verbs ending with -ie
Change the -ie to -y and add –ING: die – dying tie – tying lie - lying
Verbs ending with one vowel and one consonant (with the exception of w, x, and y)
For one syllable verbs: double the consonant and add -ING
· jog – jogging sit – sitting run – running stop - stopping
For two syllable verbs If the 1st syllable is stressed, just add ING
· answer – answering offer – offering listen – listening visit - visiting
If the 2nd syllable is stressed , double the consonant and add ING
· admit – admitting prefer – preferring begin - begining
Final del formulario
Complete the following Exercise using Pte. Prog. Or Simple Present correctly.
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.
1. Water ________ at a temperature of 0 degrees Celsius. Principio del formulariois freezing freezes
2. Take an umbrella. It ________. You don't want to get wet. Principio del formulariois raining rains
3. Here in Montreal the winters are very long and it ________ a lot. Is snowing snows
4. Now I ________ what you are trying to say. Am understanding understand
5. I'm sorry. Bob can't come to the phone. He ________ a shower. Is having has
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