• We frequently use present continuous tense with now, presently, at the moment, still, “Look!” and “Listen!”
Meaning
1.Present continuous is used to talk about something that is happening at the moment of speaking. The action is not finished.
1. push – pushes 2. watch – watches
4.Exceptions
1. do – does 2. go – goes 3. have – has
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
Form
• am/is/are + present participle (verb + ing)
5. Present simple is used to talk about future scheduled events.
1. The meeting starts at 10am. 2. The train leaves at 7.32pm.
6. Present simple is used to talk about facts or generally accepted truth.
1. Students don’t generally have much money. 2. If you heat water to 100℃, it boils.
• Additional points: Third person singular spelling 1.– most verbs: add s.
TALKING ABOUT THE PRESENT
SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE
SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE
Form
• verb (+ “s” in third person singula play – plays 2. sleep – sleeps
2.Verbs which end in consonant + y: change y to ies.
1. hurry – hurries 2. reply – replies
3.Verbs which end in s, z, ch, sh or x: add es.
1. He is speaking to John. 2. What is she doing?
2.Present continuous is used to talk about temporary situations.
1. I‘m living in London at the moment. 2. Why is she moving house?
Meaning
1.Present simple is used to talk about permanent situations.
1. She doesn’t speak English. 2. Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
2.Present simple is used to talk about things that happen repeatedly.
+ am/is/are + verb + -ing - am/is/are not + verb + -ing ? am/is/are… + verb + -ing
He is living in Thailand. I am not living I Thailand. Are they living in Thailand?
4. Present simple is used to tell stories and talk about films, books, and play.
1. In the film, the tea lady falls in love with the Prime Minister.
Meaning
1. I go to school every day. 2. Jack sometimes plays tennis.
Meaning
3. Present simple is used to ask for and give instructions and directions.
1. How do I get to the bathroom? 2. You go up the stairs and turn right.
+ Verb/ Verb + “(e)s”
He plays tennis.
- do/does not + verb
She doesn’t play tennis.
? Do/does… + verb?
Does she play tennis?
• We frequently use this tense with always, often, sometimes, usually, seldom, never, every day, from time to time, once a week, etc. to show how often we do something.
Meaning
3. Present continuous is used to talk about changing situations.
1. You’re getting taller and taller every day. 2. The weather‘s getting warmer.
4. Present continuous is used to talk about future arrangements.
1. I’m meeting my father at the airport at 5 o’clock tomorrow. 2. We’re having lunch together at the weekend.