Lesson

1 Present tenses

A Present simple
Verb be 2 The third person singular ends in -s, except for
I you / we / they he / she / it modal verbs such as can and must.
He lives here. She can sing.
 I’m here. You’re good. She’s in love.
3 We form questions and negatives for regular verbs
I’m not sure. We aren’t sad. He isn’t here.
using do/does/don’t/doesn’t. We do not use do/
 Where am I? Are they here? Is this a game? does with the verbs be, have got or with modal
verbs such as can.
Verb have got
We don’t like this music. Can you speak English?
I / you / we / they he / she / it
4 We often use adverbs of frequency with the Present
 I’ve got a headache. She’s got my camera.
simple: always, usually, often, sometimes, hardly
You haven’t got a bike. He hasn’t got a pen. ever, never. They go before the main verb, but after
 Have they got time? Has it got a name? the verb be.
I usually go to the gym on Fridays.
Regular verbs He is always late.
I / you / we / they he / she / it
Spelling rules
 I live in London. It always rains in April.
Regular verbs: + -s love – loves
They don’t like me. She doesn’t understand me.
Verbs which end in -s, -sh, -ch, -x: + -es
 Do you speak English? Does he work here?
wash – washes
Yes, I do. Yes, he does.
Verbs which end in consonant + -y:
s No, I don’t. No, he doesn’t.
-y becomes -ies study – studies
1 We use the Present simple to talk about habitual Irregular verbs: go – goes do – does
actions and routine, facts and permanent states. have – has be – is can – can must – must

B Present continuous
I you / we / they he / she / it 3 We also use the Present continuous to talk about
temporary situations and changes happening over a
 I’m playing. We’re playing. She’s playing.
longer period of time.
I’m not playing. We aren’t playing. She isn’t She’s living on her own.
playing. People are getting richer.
 Am I playing? Are they playing? Is he playing?
Yes, I am. Yes, you are. Yes, he is. Spelling rules
s No, I’m not. No, you aren’t. No, he isn’t. Regular verbs: + -ing study – studying
Verbs which end in -e: delete e + ing
1 We form the Present continuous with am/are/is +
write – writing
the present participle (-ing form) of the main verb.
Verbs which end in consonant + vowel +
2 We use the Present continuous to describe an action
consonant: double the consonant
in progress now, at the moment of speaking.
put – putting
What are you doing? I’m watching TV.

C Present simple vs Present continuous

1 Compare the following examples: 2 There are some verbs which we do not normally use
What do you do? I’m a teacher. with the Present continuous, for example:
(= What job do you do?) Stative verbs: be, have (= ‘possess’), understand,
What are you doing? I’m preparing a lesson. know, think
(= What are you doing at the moment?) Verbs of perception: feel, hear, see, smell
Unlike Italian, in English we never use the Present Verbs which express feeling or emotion: like,
simple to describe an action in progress at the wish, hate, prefer, want
moment of speaking. Do you like pizza? NOT Are you liking pizza?
Note: Some verbs can be used in the Present simple
or continuous, with a change of meaning.
I think you are right. (= I believe…)
I’m thinking about it. (describes the mental process)
2
 Lesson

1
A Present simple
1 Correct the sentences. 2 Complete the sentences with correct form of
1 James not like swimming. doesn’t like the Present simple of the verbs in the box.
2 Diane come from Canada. be can tell spend speak work
3 We got a Chemistry lesson in the morning. play go out have got (x2) have
1 Paulo’s parents are from Brazil, but he
4 They don’t plays volleyball. doesn’t speak (not) Portuguese.
5 We usually do go to the park on Sundays. 2 (you) any brothers?
3 (I/not) on weekday evenings.
6 Your dad he works in a bank? 4 we come with you to the beach?
7 Sally’s not got an iPod. 5 She a fantastic new job.
8 Does you like the Kaiser Chiefs? 6 We (not) music lessons at school.
9 Mark doesn’t be interested in me. 7 (they) football every Thursday?
10 Has Jenny a boyfriend? 8 My dad (not) full-time.
11 -I no want to come.
- 9 (your best friend) you everything?
12 Pete watchs a lot of TV. 10 Bill every weekend in the country.

B Present continuous
3 Reorder the words to make sentences. Write 4 Complete the questions and answers.
in your exercise book. 1 A What are you doing at the moment?
1 at the what weekend you are doing ? B Nothing much.
What are you doing at the weekend? 2 A What languages ?
2 raining is now you are it where ? B She’s learning French and German.
3 you to are listening not me 3 A Is Victoria waiting for me?
4 with weekend staying for us they the are B No, .
5 you on night Friday anything are doing ? 4 A Where at the moment?
6 going --I any not out am with more Ben B They’re living in Reading.
7 Spanish we learning are moment the at 5 A Who ?
8 not the is TV working B He’s going out with a girl called Rosie.
9 keys am for --I my looking 6 A Are you watching this programme?
10 this very not term working is he hard B Yes, .

C Present simple vs Present continuous

5 Choose the correct alternative. 6 Complete the sentences with the correct
1 Take an umbrella. It’s raining/rains. form of the Present simple or continuous of
2 He’s working/works there on Saturdays. the verbs in brackets.
3 Are you liking/Do you like watching rugby? 1 Do you think the weather ’s getting
4 I’m not understanding/don’t understand you. (get) warmer?
5 Who are you writing/do you write that letter to? 2 We (play) tennis on Saturdays.
-
3 Please be quiet. -I (study).
6 We don’t wear/aren’t wearing a uniform at our
school. 4 Oh look! It (snow).
7 TVs get/are getting cheaper. 5 Her health (improve) slowly.
8 She learns/is learning to drive. 6 They (not work) right now.
9 This fish tastes/is tasting delicious. Try it. 7 Mike usually (go to bed) at
10 Do you want/Are you wanting to come to my half past eleven.
party? 8 We (not eat) breakfast during
11 Can --I call you back? --I have/’m having lunch. the week.
12 Do you do/Are you doing anything at the 9 Who (you/wait) for?
-
10 -I (not feel) very well today.
moment?