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Present Indefinite Versus Present Continuous

The Indefinite forms merely show that the action takes place in the present, past or future. The form of the verb gives no indication as to its duration or completion.

The Continuous forms denote actions in progress at the present moment or at a given moment in the past or future.

The Present Indefinite

The Present Indefinite is formed from the infinitive without the particle to. In the 3^rd person singular the ending –s or –es (after o, s, ss, sh, ch, tch, x) is added.

e.g. I dress – she dresses, we teach – he teaches, they watch – he watches, I go – she goes etc.

[z] – after vowels and voiced consonants: plays,opens

[s] – after voiceless consonants: looks, puts

[iz] – after sibilants : closes, watches, wishes, boxes, judges

Give the 3^rd person from the following verbs:

Open, come, play, work, ask, plan, wash, want, love, start, swim, check, break, finish, decide, stress

A final y is changed into i if it is preceded by a consonant and then es is added.

e.g. I study – he studies, they copy – she copies etc.

After a vowel y is kept unchanged. I play – he plays, I stay – she stays

Give the 3^rd person from the following verbs:

Study - ……………, try - ………………, hurry - ……………., worry - ………………, cry - …………,

marry - ……………, reply- ………………, carry- …………….., copy - ……………, apply -………….

Conjugation

affirmative	negative	interrogative	Inter.-negative
I am I’m [aim, am]	I am not/I’m not	Am I…?	Am I not… Aren’t I? (tag questions).
He is He’s [hiz]	He is not, he’s not, he isn’t	Is he…?	Is he not….?Isn’t he…? Isn’t he? (tags)
She is She’s [iz]	She is not, she’s not, she isn’t	Is_she [i∫∫i]	Is_she not…?Isn’t she…? Isn’t she?(tags)
It is It’s	It is not, it’s not, it isn’t	Is it….?	Is it not….? Isn’t it…? Isn’t it? (tags)
We are we’re [wia]	We are not, we’re not, we aren’t [a:nt]	Are we…?	Are we not…? Aren’t we…? Aren’t we? (tag)
You are you’re [jo:]	You are not, you’re not, you aren’t	Are you…?	Are you not…? Aren’t you…? Aren’t you? (tag)
They are they’re [ðea]	They are not, they’re not, they aren’t	Are they…?	Are they not…? Aren’t they…? Aren’t they? (tag)

The verb to BE in Continuous:

It is used to talk about actions and behaviour which are different from their permanent qualities, but not about feelings.

Temporary or permanent?

PRESENT INDEFINITE	PRESENT CONTINUOUS
- a routine or situation that we see as permanent. I work at a sports shop. It's a permanent job. They live in a very nice flat. Claire is a very sociable girl.	- a routine or situation that we see as temporary (for a short period). I'm working at a sports shop for six weeks. At the moment they're living in a very small flat. Andrew is being very sociable today.

But: I’m happy just now (feelings). Cf. He’s being sick (BE: He’s vomiting) He is sick (ill).

Put the correct form of BE.

Daniel is doing some of the work. He’s being very helpful at the moment.

I’m tired. I want to go home.

1. The children ………………very polite today. They don’t usually behave so well.

2. I’m afraid Melanie can’t come because she ……………ill.

3. Of course you can understand it. You stupid, that's all.

4. We interested in doing a course here.

5. Vicky ………………very lazy at the moment. She’s done no work at all today.