Simple present & Continuous

simple present & present continuous

action and non action verbs

simple present

• Permanent situations or things that are always or often true.
• Habits or actions that happen regularly.

We use the simple present for things that are always true, or happen regularly.

WE OFTEN USE THE SIMPLE PRESENT WITH ADVERBS OF FREQUENCY LIKE USUALLY, NEVER, OR EXPRESSIONS OF FREQUENCY LIKE EVERY DAY, ONCE A WEEK. Adverbs of frequency go before the main verb and after be. Expressions of frequency ussually go at the end of the sentence or verb phrase.

• Remember the spelling rules for third person in singular (lives, studies, watches, loves)
• Remember the word order for questions: (question word), auxiliary, subject, base form of the verb. Do you know David? ... What time does the movie start?

Fred is always busy, he has a lot of things to do.

Sometimes, we go to the theater.

WORKBOOK

CLASS ACTIVITY

Page 9:3: a, b, c, d.

Page 127 - 1B Exercises A & B

present CONTINUOUS

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.).

• You are watching Tv now.
• You aren't watching Tv now.
• Are you watching Tv now?

SUB + BE + VERB + ING (+)SUB + BE + NOT + VERB + ING (-) BE + SUB + VERB + ING (?)

When to use present contituous

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 great book lately. (=I’m not reading it at the moment I’m speaking, but I’m reading it these days.)

Actions happening now

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

• What are you doing? I‘m watching TV.

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

We also use present continuous for future arrangements.

• What are you doing this weekend?

Future

Present simple or continuous? We use the present simple for things that we usually do, and we use the present continuous for things that we are doing now. Usually or now?

• I listen 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 now.

ACTION VERBS

NON ACTION VERBS

Non-action verbs are used to describe states, senses, desires, possession, emotions and opinion. Non-action verbs are not usually used in continuous tenses. For example:

• Like
• Love
• Want
• Need
• Believe
• Remember
• Belong
• Own
• See
• Taste
• Hear

An action verb is used to describe an action that is performed. Action verbs can be used in simple, perfect and progressive (continuous) tenses. Most of the verbs we use are action verbs.For example:

• Read
• Write
• Cook
• Drive
• Make
• Do
• Create
• Listen
• Watch
• Study

+ ing

NO ing

verbs which have both action and non-action forms

verbs with continuous tenses

We can only use 'Action Verbs' with continuous tenses (for example, Present Continuous). We do not use 'Non-Action Verbs' with continuous tenses. Look at these examples: 'I am liking this pizza' 'To like' is a state verb, not an action verb, and does not happen. It cannot be continuous. You like (or you don't like) something. "I like this pizza" is correct. 'I am not believing you' 'To believe' is a state verb, not an action verb. It cannot be continuous. You believe (or you don't believe) somebody or something. "I don't believe you" is correct.

Some verbs can be used as action or non-action verbs, depending on their meaning. For example: 'To think' can mean 'to believe' or 'to have an opinion'. In this sense it is a non-action verb. I think he is American.... >> Not: I am thinking he is American. What do you think about my plan?... >> Not: What are you thinking about my plan? 'To have' can be used to talk about possession and in this form is a non-action verb. In this form, the verb 'to possess' can replace 'to have'. Laura has a BMW...or: Laura possesses a BMW >> Not: Laura is having a BMW.

HOMEWORK

CLASS ACTIVITY

Page 127 - 1B Exercises A & B

Workbook page 6: exercises A - E

THanks!

questions?