In the dictionary find synonyms for the following words and expressions.

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Present Simple

Present Continuous (to be + verb -ing)

• facts and permanent states. Ralph works for a plumbing company.

• general truths and laws of nature. The Moon revolves around the earth.

• habits and routines. (with always, usually, etc.) We usually rent films at the weekends.

• timetables and programmes (in the future). My plane lands at 6:05 exactly.

• sporting commentaries, reviews and narrations. Lee swings his bat and scores a home run.

• likes and dislikes. I love Slovenia; it's a beautiful country.

• for actions taking place at or around the moment of speaking. He is washing his car now.

• for temporary situations. We are replacing the carpets in the bedrooms this weekend.

• for fixed arrangements in the near future. We're signing up fora yoga class tomorrow.

• for currently changing and developing situations. The days are becoming shorter and shorter.

• with adverbs such as always to express anger or irritation at a repeated action. You are always blaming others for your mistakes.

The time expressions we use with the present simple are: usually, often, always, every day/week/month/year etc, in the morning/afternoon/evening, at night/the weekend, on Fridays, etc.

The time expressions we use with the present continuous are: now, at the moment, at present, these days, nowadays, still, today, tonight, etc

Stative Verbs

Stative verbs are verbs which describe a state rather than an action, and so do not usually have a continuous tense. These verbs are:

• verbs of the senses (see, hear, smell, taste, feel, look, sound, seem, appear, etc) This fabric feels luxurious.

• verbs of perception (know, believe, understand, realise, remember, forget, etc) I realise this is difficult for you.

• verbs which express feelings and emotions (like, love, hate, enjoy, prefer, detest, desire, want, etc) Helena enjoys old black and white films.

• and some other verbs (be, contain, include, belong, fit, need, matter, cost, own, want, own, weigh, wish, have, keep, etc) My cat weighs more than my dog.

Some of these verbs can be used in continuous tenses, but with a difference in meaning.

Notes:

• The verb enjoy can be used in continuous tenses to express a specific preference. We really enjoy staying home on Friday nights. (general preference) BUT: I'm enjoying this novel very much. (specific preference)

• The verbs look (when we refer to somebody's appearance), feel (experience a particular emotion), hurt and ache can be used in simple or continuous tenses with no difference in meaning. Peter's tooth is hurting. = Peter's tooth hurts.

Present Simple

Present Continuous

THINK

I think she's a very good listener. (=believe)

She is thinking about selling her computer. (=is considering)

HAVE

She has a large collection of Elvis memorabilia. (=owns, possesses)

I am having a fantastic time. (=am experiencing)

She is having a shower. (= is taking)

He is having breakfast. (= is eating)

SEE

I can see my home from up here. (= it is visible)

I can see now that she was wrong for me. (= understand)

My mother is seeing an ear specialist next week. (= is meeting)

TASTE

The chocolate tastes bitter. (= it is, has, the flavour of)

Connie is tasting the soup to see if it is spicy. (= is testing)

SMELL

Your breath smells of cigarettes. (= has the aroma)

I am smelling my roses. (= am sniffing)

APPEAR

He appears to be a gentleman. (= seems to be)

I am appearing in a new Broadway play. (= performing)

FIT

My dress fits her perfectly. (= it's the right size)

Frank is fitting an extra lock at the front door. (= is attaching)

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