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21.2 Present Simple and Present Continuous

The document discusses the differences between using the present simple and present continuous tenses in English. It provides examples for when to use each, including for habits, permanent situations, actions happening now, and temporary situations. Adverbs of frequency and time expressions are also covered.

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341 views

21.2 Present Simple and Present Continuous

The document discusses the differences between using the present simple and present continuous tenses in English. It provides examples for when to use each, including for habits, permanent situations, actions happening now, and temporary situations. Adverbs of frequency and time expressions are also covered.

Uploaded by

Melvin mchd
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Present simple or present continuous?

 
  

Present simple
  

We use the present simple for habits or for permanent situations.  

 
Habits or actions that happen regularly 

We use present simple for habits or actions that we repeat regularly: 

● Iw
​ ash​ my hair every day. 

● I never ​go​ to the library. 

● Ig
​ o​ to the library on Saturdays. 

Permanent situations or things that are always or often true

● Id
​ on’t drink​ coffee. 

● She​’s​ very tall. 

● Ih
​ ave​ two brothers. 

● Water ​boils​ at 100 degrees. 

● I l​ ike​ soup.

Adverbs and expressions of frequency


  

We use ​adverbs and expressions of frequency​ with the present simple to talk about how 

often something happens. 

● We u
​ sually​ order a pizza on Fridays.  

● I go running ​twice a week​.  


Stative or non-action verbs
  

There are verbs that don’t describe actions. These verbs are called stative or non-action 

verbs, and we can use these verbs in present simple but NOT in present continuous. 

Some of these verbs are: be, have (=possess/own), like, love, hate, prefer, need, want, 

know, etc. 

● They h
​ ave​ a new car.​ (NOT T
​ hey are having a new car​.) 

● I l​ ike​ chocolate.​ (NOT I​ ’m liking chocolate​.) 

​ Present continuous use 

We use the present continuous for things that are happening now (at the moment of 

speaking) or for temporary things that are happening around now (these days, or weeks, 

etc.).  

Actions happening now


  

We use the present continuous for things happening now, at the moment of speaking. 

● ‘What ​are​ you d


​ oing​?’ ‘I​‘m watching​ TV.’ 
Actions happening around now 
We use the present continuous for temporary things that are happening around now 

(=not at the moment of speaking but these days, or weeks, etc.) 

● I​‘m reading a
​ very good book at the moment.​ (=I’m not reading it at the moment 

I’m speaking, but I’m reading it these days.) 

● What TV series ​are​ you w


​ atching​ these days?​ (=You are not watching it at the 

moment of speaking, but these days.) 

now, these days, at the moment, etc.

We use the present continuous with time expressions that mean now or around now. 

Some of these expressions are: now, at the moment, at present, today, these days, this 

week, etc. 

​Present simple or continuous?

​Usually or now? 

We use the present simple for things that we usually do, and we use the present 

continuous for things that we are doing now. 

● I l​ isten​ to the radio.​ (=I usually listen to the radio; it’s a habit.) 

● I​‘m listening​ to the radio.​ (=I’m doing it now.) 

● I don’t ​usually​ watch documentaries, but I’m watching a documentary n


​ ow​.  

  
Temporary or permanent?
  

We use present simple when a situation is permanent or present continuous when a 

situation is temporary. 

● Iw
​ ork​ in an office​. (=Permanent situation.) 

● I​‘m working​ in an office.​ (=Temporary situation.) 

● I l​ ive​ in Edinburgh.​ (=Permanent situation.) 

● I​‘m living​ in Edinburgh. ​(=Temporary situation.) 

What do you do?/What are you doing?


  

● What ​does​ Erik ​do​?​ (=What is his job?) 

● What ​is​ Erik d


​ oing​?​ (=What is he doing now, at the moment of speaking?) 

 
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