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.