The Simple Present Tense in Contrast to the

Present Progressive (Continuous) Tense

by Patricia Galienhttp://pjgalien.wordpress.com/

The Simple Present Tense

The Present Continuous Tense

The Simple Past Tense

The Future Tense

Modals GerundsInfinitives

Verbs

I clean my apartment on Saturdays.

I am studying grammar right now.

I walked to school yesterday.

I will meet you at 5:30.

I am going to go home after class.

I can ride a bike.

Dancing is fun. I enjoy dancing.

I love to dance.

BE Verb

I am tall. They are being naughty.

I was born in Michigan.

She will be a doctor in two years.

You can be anything you want.

Being a teacher is fun.

I want to be a nurse.

The Verb Tenses We Will Cover this Semester

The Simple Present1. Use the simple present tense to write about regular occurrences (habits, customs, and routines).

http://beachfrontonly.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/thanksgiving.jpghttp://www.exactdata.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/CensusBag2-lo1.jpg

I usually meet my aunt for coffee on Sunday afternoon.I usually meet my aunt for coffee on Sunday afternoon.

Most Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving.Most Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving.

The U.S. government takes the census every ten years.The U.S. government takes the census every ten years.

The Simple Present

2. Use the present simple tense to write about facts.

http://www.gallagher.com/art_photos/chicago_bridges_opt.jpghttp://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/water-footprint.jpg

Chicago has 38 movable bridges.Chicago has 38 movable bridges.

The average American uses 8 to 100 gallons of water every day.The average American uses 8 to 100 gallons of water every day.

The Simple Present Tense

3. Use the simple present tense to write about place of origin.

http://camelsnose.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/jordan-map.jpg

I come from Jordan.I am from Jordan.I come from Jordan.I am from Jordan.

I come from Japan.I am from Japan.I come from Japan.I am from Japan.

http://www.spacetoday.org/images/Japan/JapanMap.jpg

The Simple Present Tense

4. Use the simple present tense with non-action verbs.

http://www.heraldica.org/topics/pictures/poland.jpghttp://inttechnologies.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/i-want-you-flat.jpg

Saori and Samah know Polish.Saori and Samah know Polish.

Uncle Sam wants you.Uncle Sam wants you.

Patricia is holding the baby.

Patricia is holding the baby.

The Present Progressive Tense

1. Use the present progressive tense to write about actions that are happening right now.

http://usm.maine.edu/alcohol/girl-studying-and-writing1.jpg

Julia is studying.

Julia is studying.

2. Use the present progressive tense to write about a long action in progress.

The Present Progressive Tense

My neighborhood is getting busy.

http://www.chicagoapartmentfinders.com/images/neighborhood_pics/River_North_Neighborhood1.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NjUov1-0KnU/SxLCgcZxYQI/AAAAAAAAKK4/RZO1-ZT60GE/s1600/Glacier+National+Park.jpg

The glaciers are melting.

3. Use the present progressive tense to write about atemporary action in progress.

The Present Progressive Tense

I am studying at Moraine Valley Community College. I am studying at Moraine Valley Community College.

http://profiles.studyusa.com/images/IL025.jpg

My nephew is living with me. My nephew is living with me.

http://www.lafayettecountyhealth.org/Teenager.jpg

4. Use the present progressive tense when you describe something or someone (a descriptive state).

The Present Progressive Tense

http://www.intelliadmin.com/images/Microsoft1978Picture.jpg

Which person is Bill Gates?Which person is Bill Gates?

I think Bill Gates is sitting in the front wearing a blue shirt.

I think Bill Gates is sitting in the front wearing a blue shirt.

5. Use the present progressive tense when you write about a definite plan for the future. In this case you need a future time expression.

The Present Progressive Tense

http://ahssan.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/obama-official-photo1.jpg

I am having lunch with the president on Friday.I am having lunch with the president on Friday.

http://www.laurierasmussen.com/blog_files/marathonstart.jpg

They are running in the marathon next week.They are running in the marathon next week.

Check your understanding. First, fill in the blank. Then, check your grammar and your choice. Finally, give a reason for your answer.

Complete the sentences with the present simple or present progressive tense and give a reason for your choice.

1. Can I call you back in a few minutes?

I _____ dinner right now. (have)

Reason?

a) am having

b) have

This is happening right now. Have is an action word in this sentence.

PracticePractice

2. I _____ about my mother every day. (think)

Reason?

a) am thinking

b) think

This is a regular event.

PracticePractice

3. I _____ a Honda Civic. (have)

Reason?

a) am having

b) have

In this sentence have is a nonaction verb. Have is nonaction when it means possession.

PracticePractice

4. It _____ a lot in Seattle. (rain)

Reason?

a) is raining

b) rains

This is a regular event or occurrence (fact).

PracticePractice

5. It is Mother’s Day and I _____ about my mother. (think)

Reason?

a) am thinking

b) think

This is happening right now. Think is an action word in this sentence.

PracticePractice

6. I _____ you are wonderful. (think)

Reason?

a) am thinking

b) think

Think is a nonaction word when it means an opinion.

PracticePractice

7. I _____ lunch with the president on Friday. (have)

Reason?

a) am having

b) have

This is a definite plan for the future.

PracticePractice

8. I _____ a Honda Civic. (have)

Reason?

a) am having

b) have

In this sentence have is a non action word. Have is nonaction when it means possession.

PracticePractice

9. I _____ in a hotel while I look for an apartment. (live)

Reason?

a) am living

b) live

This is a temporary action that is happening right now.

PracticePractice

10. I _____ in Chicago. (live)

Reason?

a) am living

b) live

This is a state or a fact. (It is not temporary.)

PracticePractice

11. You _____ tired right now. Perhaps we should do this later. (seem)

Reason?

a) are seeming

b) seem

Seem is a non action word.

PracticePractice

12. I _____ Kasia is from Poland. (believe)

Reason?

a) am believing

b) believe

Believe is a non action word.

PracticePractice

13. I don’t think Patricia is rich. She _____ an old Honda Civic. (drive)

Reason?

a) is driving

b) drives

This is a fact or regular activity.

PracticePractice

14. You are lying. I _____ you. (believe)

Reason?

a) am not believing

b) don’t believe

Believe is a non action word.

PracticePractice

15. I _____ three children. (have)

Reason?

a) am having

b) have

This is a fact or state. Have is a nonaction verb when it is used for possession.

PracticePractice

16. I _____ a baby in December. (have)

Reason?

a) am having

b) have

This is a definite plan for the future.

PracticePractice

17. Next weekend, Tom _____ camping with his family. (go)

Reason?

a) is going

b) goes

This is a definite plan for the future.

PracticePractice

18. I _____ cooking. (like)

Reason?

a) am liking

b) like

Like is a nonaction verb.

PracticePractice

19. Rosa _____ to go to an Italian restaurant tonight. (prefer)

Reason?

a) is preferring

b) prefers

Prefer is a nonaction word.

PracticePractice

20. Abdul _____ the menu for Saturday. (plan)

Reason?

a) is planning

b) plans

This could be happening right now or it could be a definite plan for the future.

PracticePractice