Present simple / present continuous
To form the Present Simple Tense we use the verb's base form (go, work, speak,study). In 3rd person singular (he, she, it), the base form of the verb takes -s/es.
We use the Present Simple Tense:
when we talk about things that happen repeatedly or habitually;
with Present Simple Tense we often use time expressions such as always, often, sometimes, usually, seldom, on Saturdays, rarely, never, every day, etc.
Example: We usually start work at 8 o'clock.
when we talk about permanent or long-lasting situations;
Example: Tom lives in London.
when we talk about people or things in general;
Example: Nurses work in clinics and hospitals.
to indicate general truths, facts and scientific laws;
Example: My birthday is in May. California is in the Unated States.
when we talk about travel plans and timetables (mainly with verbs such as go,leave, arrive, start, come, return etc.);
Example: The course starts next Thursday.
with state (or stative) verbs such as
like,dislike, love, think, seem, look, know,feel, understand, want, need, hate,remember, forget, prefer, believe, mean,taste, hear, see, have (when the meaning is "possess"), own, belong, etc. These verbs are not normally used in the Continuous Tense (but there are exceptions).
Example: My aunt hates travelling by train.I like ice cream.
to give instructions/directions;
Example: Walk down the street to the corner and then turn right.
The Present Simple Tense is also used in:
sentences after "when", "after", "while", "till" / "until", "before", "as soon as"
Example: When the rain stops, we'll go out. I'll call you back as soon as I return home.
zero conditional sentences (when the result of the condition is always true)
Example: If you heat water to 100°C (212°F), it boils.
first conditional sentences (Often called the "real" conditional because it is used for real (or possible) situations. These situations take place if a certain condition is met.)
Example: If you finish your homework I'll bring you to the zoo.
To form the Present Continuous Tense we use the verb to be in present simple (am, is, are) and main verb with –ing ending.
We use Present Continuous Tense:
actions that are happening now
Example: What are you doing? We are watching a horror film.
actions that are happening at present, but not necessarily at this moment
Example: I'm studying French at the Escuela de Idiomas this year.
future arrangements
Example: Sarah and I are having a birthday party together next weekend.
habitual actions with a negative sense
Example: My little brother is always crying.
Exercise1. Complete the sentences with the correct forms of the verbs in the simple present or present continuous tense. You can use some of the verbs from the box more than once.
BUY CARRY COST DO GO LIKE MISS PLAY STAND TAKE TRAVEL USE VISIT WATCH WORK
My brother __________________________ this CD very much.
He __________________________ in China this summer.
We __________________________ to lunch now. Would you like to join us?
We always __________________________ Grandma on Sundays.
In this photo, we __________________________ volleyball on the beach.
I __________________________ tennis every day.
My father can’t come to the phone now. He __________________________ a shower.
My father __________________________ as an accountant in a big company.
I think this pen __________________________ HK$8.
I can’t play online games now. My brother __________________________ the computer to do his homework.
A: ______________ you ___________________ your homework now?
B: Yes, I __________________________.
This photo was taken when I was three. My father __________________________ me on his shoulders.
People ______________ always ___________________ new mobile phones.
Can you see Anna? She __________________________ at the bus stop.
______________ you still ___________________ TV?
A: ______________ they _________________ to Ocean Park on Sunday?
B: No, they __________________________.
She often __________________________ class because of illness.
A: ______________ you _________________ Kelly Chan’s songs?
B: Yes, I ______________, but my brother _________________.
Exercise 2. Use either the SIMPLE PRESENT or the PRESENT PROGRESSIVE of the verbs in brackets.
1. Diane can’t come to the phone because she (wash) .................................... her hair.
2. Diane (wash) .................................. her hair every day.
3. Kathy usually (sit).......................in the front row during class, but today she (sit) .......................in the last row.
4. Please be quiet. I (try)................................to concentrate.
5. I wrote to my friend last week. I (wait, still)....................................for a reply.
6. After three days of rain, I’m glad that the sun (shine)..................................... again today.
7. Every morning the sun (shine).............................. in my bedroom window and (wake)...................................me up.
8. Mike is a student, but he (go, not)..................................... to school right now because it’s summer. He (attend).................................college from September to May every year, but in the summers he (have, usually)........................................a job at the post office. In fact, he (work).................................. there this summer.
9. I (work, only)................................here for a couple of months because I’m going abroad in the summer.
10. His only bad habit is that he (talk).................................. too loudly.
11. There is nobody at the door; you (hear, just)................................things.
12. I’m thinking of doing a postgraduate degree – what (you, think).............................? Is it a good idea?
13. My sister (wait)................................. patiently for her exam results.
14. The film (end)............................with a dramatic car chase.
15. We (have)...................................a great time here in London.
16. Some people still think the sun (go)..............................round the earth.
17. I (play)....................................tennis every weekend.
18. An alcoholic is a person who (drink).............................too much and can’t stop.
19. Why (you, look)....................................at me like this?
20. I (stay)........................................with John for a few weeks until my flat’s ready.
21. Can you explain why water (run, always)........................................downhill?
22. Look! She (wear)......................................the same shoes like me.
Exercise 3. Underline the correct answer:
Exercise 5. Complete the text with the Present Continuous form of the verbs in the box.
Exercise 6. Put the verbs into the correct tense form:
