Present Simple and Present Continuous

Present Simple and Present Continuous

1. Present Simple: facts, routines or habits

   • Describe events to make them seem more immediate and alive
   • Unchanging situations / facts = future

2. Present Simple + State verbs: think, feel, believe, know, seem, appear, like, consist, have and belong

   • Present Simple + Expressions: Here come(s) / There go(es)
   • Use with simple present: promise, agree, assure and demand
   • See and hear: different meanings
     • I see him every day (I see); I see what you mean (I understand); I hear you loud and clear (I hear); I hear you're coming to stay (I have been told)

3. If you're not sure: use the present simple!

4. Present Simple: permanent situations; Present Continuous: temporary situations

5. Present Simple: short actions; Present Continuous: long actions

6. Present Simple + State verbs; Present Continuous + ongoing present process

7. Hear, See, Think, and Appear

   • w/ Simple Present: state verbs; w/ Present Continuous: action verbs
   • Different meaning!

8. Present Simple + hope / look foward to = formal situations; Present Continuous = informal and less direct

9. Present Continuous: situations happening now / around you

   • Use indefinite verbs of frequency: regular behavior; typical; habitual; predictable
   • sometimes is used to criticise or express disapproval
     • Sally is always losing things.

10. In the same sentence:

    • Present actions + activities, situations, and changes happening around the same time
      • It looks as if they're always smiling

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