present simple or continuous. present simple is used for:
DESCRIPTION
1. things that are always trueTRANSCRIPT
Present SimpleorContinuous
present simpleis used for:
1. things that are always true
Oil floats on water.The Earth goes round the sun.
2. things that are truefor a long time
I live in Rome.She works for a big company.
3. habits
He has coffee for breakfast.They go to the beach in July.
adverbs of frequencyare common with
the present simple for habits
He
alwaysusuallyoften
sometimesrarelynever
has coffee for breakfast.
‘present’ simpleis NOT a good name!
it talks aboutgeneral, repeated or permanent
time
present continuousis used for:
1. actions in progress
She’s crossing the road.The sun is shining.
2. actions happeningaround now
I’m reading a good book.We’re studying pronunciation.
verbs in the continuous are:a) temporary
b) interruptible
contrast between habit and current situation
I usually wear a suit to work but today I’m wearing jeans.
He usually has tea for breakfast but today he’s having coffee.
verbs of action and state
verbs of action change things
He goes to work.
he was at home
now he’s at work
She buys a drink.
she didn’t have a drink
now she has a drink
verbs of action can be used in simple and continuous tenses
She has a shower every morning.
She’s having a shower now.
verbs of state describe unchanging situations
He believes in God.She owns a Porsche.
She loves hip-hop.
common verbs of state:
believedoubtknow
rememberunderstand
likelove
dislikehate
preferwant
agreedenymeanneedown
verbs of state aren’t usedin the continuous
I’m wanting an ice-cream.
some verbs have BOTHstate and action meanings
!
come
He comes from Frascati.
He’s coming from Frascati.
He comes from Frascati.
He’s coming from Frascati.
come = origin
come = travel
have
She has long hair.
She’s having lunch.
She has long hair.
She’s having lunch.
have = own / possess
have = consume
think
What do you think of the film?
What are you thinking about?
What do you think of the film?
What are you thinking about?
think = have opinion
think = reflect
particular verbs
verbs of position
stand (up)sit (down)
kneel (down)lie (down)
these verbs use the simple for the action of assuming a
position…
at the end, everybody stands up
they always sit in the corner
… and they use the continuous to indicate a position already
assumed
the men are standing at the bar
she’s lying on the sofa
wear
‘wear’ in the simpleindicates a habit…
I usually wear a suit to work...
… and in the continuous itindicates what someone already
has on their body at the time
…but today I’m wearing jeans.