Present simple&Present continuous

Grammar Lesson 1

• PRESENT SIMPLE & PRESENT CONTINUOUS
• (elementary - A2 level)

Basic difference between the present tenses

• In today´s lesson we´re going to improve the understanding of the present simple and present continuous and a few more details on how to use these tenses.

Basic difference: present simple & present continuous

• The simple present is used:
• 1.) to talk about facts and general truths:
• My name is Jane.
• The grass is green.
• The world is round.
• The sun rises in the East.
• 

Let´s practice it!

• Use the present simple to answer these questions:
• 1.) Where do you come from? I come from ...............................
• 2.) What´s your job?/ What do you do? I´m a ............ I work in/for/at ................
• 3.) What´s the capital of Poland? The capital of Poland is .....................
• 4.) How old are you? I´m ............. (years old).

Adverbs of frequency - present simple

• 2.) it is used with adverbs of frequency such as:
• always, every day, usually, often, every other day, sometimes, seldom, rarely, hardly ever, never.
• 

Let´s practice it!

• What are some of the things that you:
• * always do? (I always ......)
• * do every day? (I ............ every day)
• * usually do ? (I usually ......)
• * often do? (I often ......)
• * sometimes do? (I sometimes ...... OR I ......... sometimes.)
• * hardly ever do? (I hardly every ....... )
• * never do? (I never ...... )

Present simple with stative verbs

• 3.) It is used with sative verbs (these are the verbs that do not have an
• - ing form because they do not express actions, but states).
• These include:
• understand / own / believe / want / know / like / seem / need / prefer / hate / love
• He currently (= now) owns a quad. (correct)
• Don´t say:
• He´s currently
• owning a quad. (incorrect)
• 
• Bildunterschrift: quad bike

Present continuous (progressive)

• 1.) Present continuous is used to talk about actions that are happening NOW, at the moment of speaking.
• For instance:
• It´s raining right now, don´t forget to take your umbrella and wellies.
• 

Present continuous for temporary situations

• 2.) Present continuous is used for situations that are temporary, which means that they won´t continue for a long time.
• I live in Poland (= permanent situation), but this week I´m staying (= temporary situation) with my sister in Prague.
• 

Present continuous for temporary situations

• Thomas´s working in a bar until he finds a job in advertising.
• Working in a bar is a temporary situation, so we use the present continuous.
• 

Words commonly used with the present continuous

• now, right now, at the moment, today, currently, this afternoon, this week, this month, and this year
• Examples:
• This afternoon I´m playing football.
• My brother is currently working in Brighton (England).
• She´s writing another book this year.
• Peter Brown is working for Volunteer Africa for a month.

Present continuous for future arrangements

• 3.) use the present continuous to talk about planned future arrangements (that means that a person A and person B know that the´re going to meet together at an agreed place and time)
• Examples:
• I´m meeting my cousin tomorrow.
• Tom and Mary are coming to the party this Saturday.
• I´m seeing (= have a meeting) a doctor this Wednesday at 8am.

Summary

• Present simple:
• 1.) facts and general truths
• 2.) with adverbs of frequency (always, often, twice a week, sometimes)
• 3.) with stative verbs (like, love, understand, want, need)
• Present continuous:
• 1.) with situations that are happenning right now, at the moment of speaking
• 2.) for temporary situations and with words like: now, right now, currently, this week, this month, today
• 3.) for future arrangements