Unit 1: Simple Present Tense

Read the excerpt to learn about Canada. Pay attention to the bolded and underlined verbs.

Canada is the second largest country in the world after Russia. Canada is a large
country, but it is not densely populated. In 2020, Canada’s population is only 37,742,154
million. Its population may be small, yet its land is vast. Canada has a land mass of
9,970,610 square kilometres and is made up of six time zones. Canada also has the
longest international border of 8,891 km with the United States, and the longest
coastline of any country in the world with borders with the Atlantic Ocean, Arctic Ocean
and Pacific Ocean.1 If you take an airplane from Vancouver on the west coast of Canada
to Halifax on the east coast, it would take seven hours to fly across the country or about
60 hours to drive. Because Canada is such a large country, it has diverse geography that
includes lakes, rivers, valleys, mountain ranges, rainforests, and plains.

Canada is a democratic country, and its government includes federal, provincial and
municipal levels. Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories. The individual provinces and
territories are responsible for governing their own region and managing their own
healthcare, education and welfare. As a nation, Canadians value freedoms and the
federal government protects these. One freedom is the right to equal opportunity for all
people. Everyone is equal in Canada no matter the colour of their skin, their religious
beliefs, or their ethic background. All individual freedoms are protected by the Canadian
Constitution. 2

These days, Canada is becoming one of the world's wealthiest nations. This wealth
comes from Canada’s rich natural resources such as forests, minerals and fossil fuels.
Other key parts of its economy include agriculture, mining, transportation and
telecommunications. Like many developed economies, Canada is expanding its service
sector and increasing immigration. Currently, it is employing about three quarters of
Canadians in the service industry. Canada has a very liberal immigration policy. With new
immigration laws, it is developing an even broader multicultural society. Nowadays,

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 Canada is encouraging immigration of skilled and semi-skilled workers to support its
growing economy and to boost its population.
1. Canada - Country Profile - Destination Canada - Nations Online Project
2. Canada - A Country Overview - Canada - Angloinfo

Analysing Form

1. Look at the verb forms in the chart below. What changes do you see in the verb forms?

I live in Canada. He/She lives in Canada. It lives in Canada.

You live in Canada. We live in Canada. They live in Canada.

2. Look at the negative verb forms in the chart below. What changes in the form?

I don’t live in Canada. He/She doesn’t live in Canada. It doesn’t live in Canada.

You don’t live in Canada. We don’t live in Canada. They don’t live in Canada.

3. Look at the questions below:

A. Does Canada have 6 time zones? B. How many people live in Canada?

➔ Which is a yes/no question? A or B

➔ Which is an information question? A or B
➔ What words do information questions begin with? List them here:
____________________________________________________
➔ Using the article, practice making information questions like these:
◆ What is the length of the border between Canada and the United States?
◆ Which country is the largest in the world?
◆ How many levels of government does Canada have?
◆ ___________________________________________?

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 Thinking About Meaning - Simple Tense
1. Habits or Routine Activities with Simple Present
Use the simple present tense to talk about habits or routine activities that occur repeatedly.
These can be personal habits or routines or scheduled events.
● I wake up at 7am every day.
● Fanshawe classes start at 10am and finish by 3pm.

2. Factual Information with Simple Present

Use the simple present tense to talk about factual information such as general truths,
scientific facts, or definition.
● Learning another language is challenging. (general truth)
● Canada is the second largest country in the world. (scientific or geographical fact)
● The word multicultural means the presence of many distinct cultural or ethic groups in
one society. (definition)
3. States or Conditions with Simple Present
Use the simple present tense with stative verbs (verbs that do not express action) to show
states or conditions. For example, it shows physical description, feelings, relationships, beliefs
or ownership.
● She is tall, thin, and pretty.
● He knows computers well.
● He is angry. He didn’t do well on the test.
● They like to cook. They spend their weekends trying new recipes.

4. Adverbs of Frequency with Simple Present

Use adverbs of frequency with the simple present to show how often something occurs.
Adverbs of frequency come before the main verb, but after the BE verb and after auxiliary
verbs.
● She sometimes stays up late studying. ● I can always talk to my mother.
● He is seldom on time for class ● We will never lie to each other.
● The children rarely do their dishes. ● He doesn’t usually wear a suit.

Adverb of Frequency How Often

never 0%

hardly ever 10%

rarely 20%

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 seldom 30%

occasionally 40%

sometimes 50%

often 60%

frequently 70%

usually 90%

always 100%

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FORM - Simple Present Tense
Affirmative Statements Negative Statements

Subject Base form of Subject DO/DOES + Base form

VERB + S/ES NOT of VERB

I sleep I do not /
don’t for 8
for 8 hours. You sleep hours.
You sleep

He He does not
She sleeps She doesn’t
It It

We sleep We do not /
don’t
They sleep They

Yes/No Questions Short Answer

Do/Does Subject Base Form Yes Subject Do/Does

of Verb
Yes, I do.
Do you sleep for 8
hours? he /she /it does.

Does he /she sleep

they do.
/it

Do they sleep No Subject Don’t/Does not

No, I don’t

he /she /it doesn’t

they don’t

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 Information Questions

Wh-Word Do/Does Subject Base Form of VERB

Who do you teach on Mondays?

What does he study at night?

Where does she go on Saturdays?

When do we leave on Friday?

Why do you stay home at night?

How do they travel for spring break?

Wh-Word (subject) Base Form of VERB+S/ES

Who works
on weekends?
What happens

Present Simple with “be” form

Simple Present—“be” forms

Subject “be” form Contraction

I am I’m

you are you’re

he/she/it is he’s/she’s/it’s

you/we/they are you’re/we’re/they’re

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 Negative Form

I am not I’m not

you are not you aren’t

he/she/it is not he/she/it isn’t

you/we/they are not you/we/they aren’t

Question Form

Am I …?

Are you …?

Is he/she/it …?

Are you/we/they …?

Present Tense Grammar Notes:

● In affirmative statements, add -s or -es to the base form of the verb when the subject is
third-person singular (he, she, it).
○ I go to class. He goes to class. They go to class.
● Use does in negative statements and questions when the subject is third-person
singular. For all other persons, use do.
○ She doesn’t like to sing, but she does like to play the piano.
○ Does she like to sing?
○ Do they play the piano?
● Have and be are irregular in the simple present
○ I have a dog. She has a cat. We have pets.
○ I am a guitar player. He is a singer. They are musicians.

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Spelling Rules (endings)

Adapted from Focus English School

Present Tense Review (routine/habits)

wake up get up take a shower brush my teeth/hair get dressed make breakfast study
make coffee read the news check email feed prepare cook drive walk exercise

● Think of 5-7 things you do each morning.

● Use simple present tense to describe your morning routine
● Add some adverbs of frequency (always/usually/often)
● Write 5-7 sentences about your routine on a piece of paper.
● Be prepared to share with your classmates.

My mornings are always busy. Every morning, I get up at 7:00. The first thing I do in the
morning is make a cup of coffee and take a shower. Then, I brush my teeth, get dressed, and
feed my cats. Next, I make breakfast for my kids. Once breakfast is made, I wake up my kids,

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and we eat breakfast together. After breakfast, I get ready for work, and my children get
dressed and ready for school.

Present Tense Pronunciation Review

Source: https://www.woodwardenglish.com/how-to-pronounce-final-s/

Simple Present Review (factual information)

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the present tense verb. Then practice saying
them, paying attention to the pronunciation of the final s ending.

The Game of Hockey

The origin of ice hockey is (be) often debated. However, in 2008, the
International Ice Hockey Federation declared that the first game of
organized ice hockey was played in Montreal, Quebec in 1875. Ice
hockey _____1(be) a very popular sport in Canada. This game ______
2(have) two teams of players. The players _______ 3(wear) ice skates,

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______ 4(use) hockey sticks, and ______ 5(play) on an ice-skating rink or a frozen pond. The
goal of the game ______ 6(be) to hit a puck across the ice and into the opponent’s net. Every
time the puck ______7(go) into the goal a point _____ 8(be) award for that team. The puck
________9(pass) from player to player on the ice to prevent the other team from scoring. To
score a goal, the player must hit the puck over the goal line. The whole puck _____ 10(need) to
cross fully over the goal line to be a goal. The game ____ 11(last) for three 20 minute periods.
The team with the most points after the three periods, _______ 12(win) the game.

Photo Source: Hockey (tumblr.com)

Jason

Six-year-old Jason __________ 1(idolize) his parents, David and

Maria. David _______2(own) a computer software business.
Maria_________ 3(study) business management at Florida State
University. When Maria________ 4(finish) her classes each day, she _________5 (go) home.
After she ___________6 (greet) Jason and __________7 (have) a snack with him, she
_________ 8(study) for an hour while Jason plays with his toys. After David _________9 (arrive)
and _____________10 (greet) his family, he ____________11 (spend) a short time at his
computer. Later, David ______12 (fix) dinner with Maria. After dinner, one parent usually
_________13 (do) the dishes while the other ____________ 14(help) Jason get ready for bed.
Jason __________15 (wash) his face, _________16(brush) his teeth, and __________17 (get)
into his pajamas. Later, David usually _____________ 18(tell) Jason a story or _____________
19(play) a game with him. Sometimes Jason ___________ 20(watch) the news on television
with his mother and ____________21 (fall) asleep in her arms. David ___________ 22(carry)
Jason to bed and _____________23 (kiss) him goodnight

Photo Source: What It Means To Be Bilingual | Parents In A Pinch

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Unit 1 Part 2: Present Continuous Tense

These days, Canada is becoming one of the world's wealthiest nations. This wealth comes from
Canada’s rich natural resources such as forests, minerals and fossil fuels. Other key parts of its
economy include agriculture, mining, transportation and telecommunications. Like many
developed economies, Canada is expanding its service sector and increasing immigration.
Currently, it is employing about three quarters of Canadians in the service industry. Canada has
a very liberal immigration policy. With new immigration laws, it is developing an even broader
multicultural society. Nowadays, Canada is encouraging immigration of skilled and semi-skilled
workers to support its growing economy and to boost its population.

Analysing Form
Read the sentences and answer the questions below.
A. The earth’s climate is getting warmer.
B. I’m in class right now. Can I call you after?
C. I’m taking an EAP course at Fanshawe College this semester.

1. Which sentence describes an activity that is in progress, but not happening at the exact
moment the speaker is talking? A B C
2. Which sentence describes a changing situation? A B C
3. Which sentence describes an activity that is happening at the exact moment the speaker
is talking? A B C

Thinking About Meaning - Present Continuous Tense

1a) Use the present continuous tense for activities that are happening at the exact time the
speaker is talking. Time expressions like now, right now, currently are often used to
emphasize that the action is happening currently (and may finish soon).
● Look! It is snowing!
● She can’t come to the phone right now. She is taking a bath.
● He is cooking dinner now.

1b) Use the present continuous tense for activities that are in progress and not yet complete
at the exact time the speaker is talking. Time expressions such as these days, this week, this
semester are often used to show when the action is happening.
● I’m looking for a new apartment, but the rental market is limited these days.
● I’m studying for my exam this week. It’s on Friday.

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1c) Use present continuous for changing situations.
● My grades are getting better this term.
● Electric cars are becoming more popular in recent years.

1d) Use present continuous for future plans.

● Bob is starting college in September. (=Bob is going to start college in September.)
● We are trying a new restaurant on Oxford Street tonight. (=We are going to try a new
restaurant on Oxford Street tonight).

Stative Verbs & Present Continuous

1a) Verbs in English can be classified into two categories: stative verbs and action verbs.
● Action verbs talk about the actions we can take or events that happen.
● Stative verbs usually refer to a state or condition which is not changing or is not likely
to change. Some common stative verbs are know, own, mean, see, and understand.

It is important to know the difference between stative and action verbs. Stative verbs cannot
normally be used in the continuous (BE + ING) forms. They mostly take simple present tense.
● Do you know the answer? Are you knowing the answer.
● We rent. We don’t own our apartment. We are not owning our apartment.

1b) Some stative verbs can be used in the present continuous, but they are used as action
verbs with a different meaning. Have, look, see, think, taste and weigh are common examples
for stative verbs that can take the present continuous form with an active verb meaning.

Simple Present Present Continuous

● Do you have a car at university? They are having a great time at the party.
(have = own/possession) (having = experiencing a good time)
● I think it is a fun idea. I am thinking about my mom. I’m worried about her.
(thought = believe) (thinking = having thoughts/memories)
● The soup tastes salty. The chef is tasting the soup.
(taste = flavour) (tasting = trying or sampling)

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FORM - Present Continuous
Affirmative Statements Negative Statements

Subject BE Base form of Subject BE NOT Base form of

VERB + ING VERB + ING

I am I am

You are You are

working today. not working today.

He is He is
She She
It It

We are We are

They are They

Yes/No Questions Short Answer

Be Subject Base Form of Yes Subject BE

Verb + ING
Yes, I am.
Are you
he /she /it is.
working today?
Is he /she
/it they are.

Are they
No Subject BE

No, I am not.
‘m not.

he /she /it is not.

isn’t.

they are not

aren’t.

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 Information Questions

Wh-Word Be Subject Base Form of VERB+ING

Who are you teaching?

What is he studying?

Where is she going?

When are we leaving?

Why are you staying home?

How are they travelling?

Wh-Word (subject) BE Base Form of VERB+ING

Who is talking?

What happening?

Review Exercises - Simple Present or Present Continuous?

1. María _______ (work) for a movie company. At the moment she ____________ (travel)
in Africa.
2. Maria___________ (not live) in Africa, but she ___________ (stay) in Africa at the
moment for work. She works in the film industry making wildlife documentaries.
3. Dan ____________ (love) wild animals, especially those in the arctic. However, he
____________ (not visit) Alaska this month because of COVID travel restrictions.
4. Dad usually ____________ (cook) dinner.
5. My parents ____________ (go) to Italy every year.
6. My sister ____________ (walk) to school every day.
7. We ____________ (have) lunch now. Go wash your hands and join us.
8. I never __________ (stay in) on Saturday evening. In fact, I ___________ (go, out) to
the movies right now. See you later!

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 9. My mom ____________ (not work) today.
10. Peter _________ (not like) rap music. He ___________ (listen) to pop music at the
moment.
11. Donna usually ____________ (go) shopping on Saturdays.
12. It _____________ (not rain) now. Let’s go for a walk.
13. Hurry up! Everybody ______________ (wait) for you!
14. Water ____________ (boil) at 100 degrees.
15. The water ____________ (boil)! Can you turn it off?
16. I must go now. It ____________ (get) late.
17. I usually ____________ (go) to work by car, but this week I __________ (take) the bus
because my car is at the shop getting repaired.
18. The moon ____________ (revolve) around the earth

Present Tense Editing Practice

Fix the verb errors in the letter below.

Good morning my dear friend,

studying
I love study here in Canada now. At first, I was a little nervous, but not anymore. I

am becoming more confident. These days, I am study grammar and writing a lot. I think my
writing is improving steadily. Now, the sun is shine and the birds is singing. I enjoy doing my
homework in the early morning before my classes start at 10am. My teacher are nice and so
is my classmates. I have a wonderful time here! I will write to you again soon.
Take care,
Yin

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Appendix

Common Stative Verbs

Emotions and Senses and Knowledge and Descriptions and
Attitudes Sensations Beliefs Measurements

admire ache agree appear

appreciate burn believe be

care feel consider cost

desire hear disagree equal

despise hurt expect look (like)

dislike itch Feel (=think) measure

doubt notice find resemble

envy see forget seem

fear smell guess sound (like)

hate sound hope taste

like taste imagine weigh

love know Possession and

Relationships

mind mean belong

need notice consist of

prefer realize contain

regret recognize Depend on

respect remember have

want suppose include

think own

understand possess

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