Grammar Reference

Unit 1

Simple and Progressive Forms

The Present Progressive vs. The Present Simple Tense

1. The present progressive refers to temporary actions and situations that are going on ‘around now’: before, during and after the moment of speaking.

What are you doing here? – I’m waiting for Mark.

The present progressive is also used when people talk about what is going on at a particular time which is not necessarily the moment of speaking. In this case two or more simultaneous actions are mentioned.

At seven when the postman comes I’m usually having breakfast.

She doesn’t like to be disturbed if she is working.

3. Repeated actions.

The present progressive can refer to repeated actions if they are happening around the moment of speaking.

Jake is seeing a lot of Felicity these days. (It is unusual.)

The present simple is used to express repeated actions and events which are not closely connected to the moment of speaking.

I go on holiday twice a year.

4. Progressive forms can be used with ‘always, continually’ and similar words to mean ‘very often’.

Granny is nice. She is always giving us little presents.

I’m continually running into Paul these days.

This structure is used to talk about things which happen very often, but which are unexpected or unplanned. Compare:

When Alice comes to see me, I always meet her at the station. (It’s a regular planned arrangement.)

I’m always meeting Mrs Bailiff at the supermarket. (It’s accidental, unplanned.)

Progressive forms can also show that the speaker is annoyed.

She’s always making mistakes. – Вечно она ошибается.

5. Formal correspondence.

Some fixed phrases that are used in letter-writing can be expressed in the simple present (more formal) or in the present progressive (less formal).

We write to advise you …. (Less formal: We are writing to let you know…)

I enclose my cheques for … (Less formal: I’m enclosing …)

I look forward to hearing from you. (Less formal: I’m looking ….)

6. Future actions.

The present progressive is used mostly to talk about personal arrangements and fixed plans, especially if the time and place have been decided.

I’m seeing Larry on Saturday.

Did you know I’m getting a new job?

The simple present is used to talk about the future when we are talking about events which are part of a timetable or something similar.

The term starts on April 10^th.

What time does the bus arrive in Seattle?

Occasionally the simple present is used with a future meaning when we are giving or asking for instructions.

Well, what do we do now?

7. Be going + infinitive.

This structure is used to talk about plans and emphasizes the idea of intention.

We are going to get a new car soon.

Another use of this structure is to predict future actions on the basis of present evidence or to make predictions about events that are outside people’s control. In this case the structure is translated into Russian with the verb in the future form.

Hurry up! We are going to miss the train. – Мы сейчас опоздаем.

Things are going to change for the better. - Все изменится к лучшему.

8. Non-progressive verbs.

Some verbs are never or hardly ever used in progressive forms. Many of these verbs refer to mental or emotional states or use of the senses (know, think, believe, feel, see, smell, be, etc.). However, when some of these verbs (in certain meanings) are used to express a deliberate action they can be used in progressive forms. Compare:

I feel we shouldn’t do it.

Why are you feeling your pulse?