P. simple vs continuous

Prof.ssa Alice Spina

Present Simple vs Present Continuous

Present Simple

When do we use Present Simple?

1. To talk about pernament situations:

We live in Catania. 2. To talk about habits and things we do regularly: Tom plays computer games every day. 3. To talk about facts.: Water boils at 100 degrees.

How to create sentences in Present Simple?

SAMPLE SENTENCES

I don't live in Rome. She does't play volleyball every day.

Do you like chocolate? Does he live here? Do you go to school every day?

Yes, I do. / No, I don't. Yes, he does. / No he doesn't.

EXCEPTIONS THIRD PERSON SINGULAR (P. SIMPLE)

Verbs ending in -s, -x, -z, -sh, -ch → add -ES He passes the ball to his teammate She fixes the broken lamp Verbs ending in a consonant + Y → change Y to IES He studies English every day She tries to solve the problem

SIGNAL WORDSP. SIMPLE

• always
• usually
• often
• sometimes
• seldom
• rarely
• never

• every Saturday/ Friday
• On Mondays/ Thursdays
• once a week/ month
• in the summertime
• in winter
• three times a year
• twice a day

Present Continuous

When do we use Present Continuous?

1. To talk about things that are happening at the moment We are in class, we are sitting and we are studying .
2. To talk about temporary situations:

Jennifer is living in France this month. 3. To describe pictures: The boy is playing basketball and the girl is dancing

How to create sentences in Present Continuous?

SAMPLE SENTENCES

I am not talking. Asia isn't writing at the moment.

+ ING FORM

Yes, I am. / No, I am not. Yes, he is. /No she isn't. Yes, they are. / No, they aren't.

Are you doing exercises? Is he running? Are they watching a film?

SIGNAL WORDS P. CONTINUOUS

• now
• right now
• just now
• at the moment
• Look! Listen!

Important Note about Present Continuous!

Some verbs are NOT typically used in the present continuous tense. Instead, we prefer to use these verbs in the SIMPLE PRESENT. These verbs are called STATIVE (or non-action) verbs. Here are some examples: want have (possession) like love prefer hate know need see hear understand forget remember

EXAMPLES

I like Rome. NOT: I am liking Rome. X She has a big house. NOT: She is having a big house. I prefer to have coffee. NOT: I am preferring to have coffee. X

What is your best friend doing right now?

What is happening in the picture?

What do you do every Saturday?

What time do you usually get up?

FIND AND CORRECT THE MISTAKE

Adam is studying French on Mondays.

I am usually going to school by bus.

He washes the dishes now .

He is going to visit his grandma every Saturday.

Does he often gossips with his sister?

We aren't cheating right now

She is sometimes having lunch at school.

How often do your parents clean their car?

Are you listening to me now?

11

12

10

Does he do his homework right now?

Where do you live?

In the picture, the boy eats chocolate.

PRESENT CONTINUOUS FOR FUTURE

The Present Continuous is also used to talk about actions or events planned for the future. In this case, the Present Continuous is accompanied by future time expressions such as: tomorrow, this afternoon, tonight, at the weekend, next week / month / year, in two weeks / months. What are you doing this afternoon? I'm going to Springfield Park with Niko. Where are you travelling next summer?I'm travelling to Spain to visit my parents.

THANKS!