Present simple vs present continuous

Present simple vs Present continous

Present simple

• It is used for habits, routines, repeated actions and permanent situations.
• Examples:
• I get up at 7 0'clock everyday. ( It is a habit, because it is an action that is done regularly).
• I always go to the gym in the morning. (It is a repeated action).
• George is tall (It is a permanent situation. )

Present simple

• It is used with stative verbs ( verbs that describe a state and not an action, and are not used in continuous sentences.) Some stative verbs are : "seem", " understand", "be", "have" ( talking about possessions), "love", "hate", "think", "want", "like", "prefer", "believe"...
• Examples:
• I want to learn Portuguese. NOT I'm wanting to learn Portuguese.
• She believes in ghosts. NOT She's believing in ghosts.
• I like to cook. NOT I'm liking to cooking

Structure of present simple

• Affirmative sentences: Subject + base verb ( if it's thid person ( she, he or it) add es or s) + complement Example: She + dances + salsa
• Negative sentences: Subject + auxiliary : do or does ( for third person) + not + base verb + complement
• Example: He + does + not + like + basketball
• He + doesn't + like + basketball

Structure of present simple

• Questions: Auxiliary do or does + subject + base verb + complement + question mark (?)
• Example: Do + you + like + video games + ?
• Possible answers: Yes, I do.
• No, I don't.

Present continuous

• It is used for actions that are happening at this moment
• Example: She is reading a book
• 

Present continuous

• It is used for actions that are happening in the present period ( but not at this moment)
• Example : Mark is training to be a doctor
• 

Present continuous

• It is used in situations we see as temporary
• Example: Daniel is wearing a suit today
• 

Present continuous

• It is used in situations that are gradually changing
• Example: My grandmother is getting old
• 

Structure of the present continuous

• Affirmative sentences: Subject + verb to be am ( for I) / are( for they ,we, you) /is ( for she,he, it).+ base verb+ ing+ complement
• Example: I + am + doing +my homework .
• He + is + reading + a book .
• They + are + listening + to music

Structure of the present continuous

• Negative sentences: Subject+ verb to be ( am, is, are) + not+ base verb+ ing+ complement
• Examples: She + is + not + doing+ her homework
• They + are + not + working + at the moment

Structure of the present continuous

• Questions: Auxiliary ( verb to be: am , is , are)+ subject+ base verb+ ing+ complement+ question mark (?)
• Are + you + studying + for the exam ?
• Possible answers: Yes, I am.
• No , I am not.