Present simple Vs Present continous

Presentation

Present forms

Laura Padilla

uses of present simple

Routines

I play football every weekend.

Universal truths

The human body contains 206 bones. Light travels at almost 300,000 kilometres per second.

Timetables

Future

YThe school term starts next week. The train leaves at 19.45 this evening. We fly to Paris next week.

I'll talk to John when I see him. You must finish your work before you go home. If it rains we'll get wet.

Adverbs of frequency

Adverbs of frequency describe the frequency of an action in a given period. It answers the question, "how often?" or "how frequent". Common adverbs of frequency include alway, sometimes, and never. For verbs, other than to be, this is the structure that you follow:

Always Usually often sometimes Hardly ever never

Subj + adv + verb + obj

Subj + to be + adv + obj

Examples

All verbs except to be

I always feel happy when playing. John hardly ever drinks apple juice. She never wears a dress.

To be

I am often early. You are frequently sick. She is always correct.

Definite Frequency

Definite adverbs of frequency tell exactly the frequency of something. These adverbs of frequency will usually go at the end of the sentence. Some examples include:

I go to the dentist every month. She attends school thrice a week. My aunt goes to London every other year to visit our grandfather.

Yearly Every hour Weekly Every day

uses of present continuous

Things in progress now, at the moment of speaking.The sun is shining and it's a beautiful day! Actions that are happening "around now". I'm reading a very good book at the moment. (=I'm in the middle of reading it.) Situations we see as temporary. My brother's staying with my aunt until he finds a flat. Describing a situation which is gradually changing. Peole are working longer hours nowadays.

simple vs continuous

"state" versus "action" verbs Some verbs are rarely found in continuous forms. These are verbs which describe "states" (things which stay the same) emotions: hate, like, love, want. understanding: believe, know, prefer, understand. sesses: hear, smell, sound, taste. belong, cost, weigh.

Paola is the student who sits at the back of the class. My parents stay at the Metropole Hotel. He works for a big electrical company.

Paola is the student who is sitting at the back of the class. My parents are staying at the Metropole Hotel. He's working in a café..