Present Simple vs Present Continuous PRESENT SIMPLE FORM
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
s
- play (3rd p.s) play - Am / is / are playing (am/ is/ are have /has got can) - 'm not / isn't / aren' t playing - Doesn't play
don't play - Is she playing? Are they playing? - Does she play? Do you play? USE
ADVERBS
- Real facts - Routines - Stative verbs (love, like, hate, belive, understand, etc)
- Things happening now - Non habitual actions - A negative habit (always) - Future arragements
Frequency: always, often, usually, etc.
Now, at the moment, today.
Watch out! Spelling rules: +s = plays +ies= studies + es= watches, washes, mixes, kisses
+ ing= playing + ccing= stopping + ying= lie- lying + eing = live-living
Stative verbs: usually in present simple, but not always: I’m thinking of going to the cinema this weekend (action in progress) I think “Blancanieves y la leyenda” is an exciting film (opinion)
Future meaning: Present continuous can also have a future meaning: We are going to London this summer (we’ve already bought the tickets and booked our hotel)
Present Simple vs Present Continuous
Activities 1. Read the sentences and identify the uses: ex: Present Simple
Present Continuous 1. I’m studying for my English test at the moment
(things happening now)
Real facts Routines Stative verbs Things happening now Non habitual actions Negative habits Future arrangements
a. I don’t like Peter. He’s always laughing at me. b. Water boils at 100 ºc. c. I’m visiting my grandparents at the weekend. d. Listen, the teacher is talking to you. e. I’m studying in the kitchen until my room is painted. f. Mr Adams is always playing the piano. I hate it! g. I’m not going to school by bus today. h. I love thrillers. They are exciting. i. He often wears jeans at school. j. I’m playing the finals on Tuesday. k. The students are doing very easy exercises today. l. Our house faces a very beautiful park. m. Every Monday they play basket at PE.
Present Simple vs Present Continuous
PENELOPE CRUZ Los Angeles take pictures Javier Bardem child film make an interview dance lessons reahearse
MARIO VARGAS LLOSA New York Nobel Prize get up articles read walk
MIQUEL BARCELĂ“ Paris travel paint galleries working routines buy materials
SERENA WILLIAMS Florida her sister train diet publicity hobbies
Present Simple vs Present Continuous
A postcard from Nepal
Hi Tom, Today is the second day of my trek around Mount Annapurna. I am exhausted and my legs are shaking; I just hope I am able to complete the trek. My feet are really killing me but I want to continue. Nepal is a fascinating country; everything is so different!, and I’m trying to adapt to the new way of life here. It’s difficult because I don’t understand the language. People here work a lot. They get up very early to do the farm tasks, even children work before going to school. Life is harder here but people are cheerful anyway. I’m travelling with Liam, a student from Leeds University in England. He is a nice guy, but impatient. He is always complaining that I am too slow. I’m doing my best to keep up with him, but he is younger and stronger than I am. Well, don’t worry much about me. Maybe, I am just feeling sorry for myself. See you soon!