Theory
Simple Present – Present Continuous (Progressive)
Form
Simple Present Present Continuous (Progressive)
infinitive form of 'be' and verb + ing
(3rd person singular: infinitive + 's/es')
+ I speak + I am speaking
you speak you are speaking
he / she / it speaks he / she / it is speaking
we speak we are speaking
they speak they are speaking
? Do I speak? ? Am I speaking?
Does he speak? Is she speaking?
- I don’t speak - I am not speaking
She doesn’t speak. She is not speaking
Exceptions
Exceptions when adding 's' : Exceptions when adding 'ing' :
For can, may, might, must, do not Silent e is dropped. (but: does not
add s. apply for -ee)
Example: he can, she may, it must Example: come - coming
After o, ch, sh or s, add es. but: agree - agreeing
Example: do - he does, wash - she After a short, stressed vowel, the
washes final consonant is doubled.
After a consonant, the final Example: sit - sitting
consonant y becomes ie. (but: not after After a vowel, the final
a vowel) consonant l is doubled in British English
Example: worry - he worries (but not in American English).
but: play - he plays Example: travel - travelling (British
English)
but: traveling (American English)
Final ie becomes y.
Example: lie - lying
See also explanations on Simple Present and Present Progressive
Use
In general or right now?
Do you want to express that something happens in general or that something is happening
right now?
Simple Present Present Progressive (Continuous)
in general (regularly, often, never) right now
Colin plays football every Tuesday. Look! Colin is playing football now.
present actions happening one after also for several actions happening at the
another same time
First Colin plays football, then he watches Colin is playing football and Anne is
TV. watching.
Signal words
always at the moment
every ... at this moment
often today
normally now
usually right now
sometimes Listen!
seldom Look!
never
first
then
Note: The following verbs are usually only used in Simple Present:
be, have, hear, know, like, love, see, smell, think, want
Timetable / Schedule or arrangement?
Do you want to express that something is arranged for the near future? Or do you refer to a
time set by a timetable or schedule?
Simple Present Present Progressive
action set by a timetable or schedule arrangement for the near future
The film starts at 8 pm. I am going to the cinema tonight.
Daily routine or just for a limited period of time?
Do you want to talk about a daily routine? Or do you want to emphasis that something is
only going on for a limited (rather short) period of time?
Simple Present Present Progressive
daily routine only for a limited period of time (does not have to
Bob works in a restaurant. happen directly at the moment of speaking)
Jenny is working in a restaurant this week.
Certain Verbs
The following verbs are usually only used in Simple Present (not in the progressive form).
state: be, cost, fit, mean, suit
Example: We are on holiday.
possession: belong, have
Example: Sam has a cat.
senses: feel, hear, see, smell, taste, touch
Example: He feels the cold.
feelings: hate, hope, like, love, prefer, regret, want, wish
Example: Jane loves pizza.
brain work: believe, know, think, understand
Example: I believe you.
Introductory clauses for direct speech: answer, ask, reply, say
Example: “I am watching TV,“ he says.
Practice
Write the verbs in Present Progressive.
1. speak - I
2. jump - you
3. bake - she
4. play - they
5. run - we
Write the verbs in Simple Present, 3rd person singular.
1. be - it
2. have - he
3. eat - she
4. can - he
5. wash - she
Positive sentences
Complete the sentences. Use Simple Present or Present Progressive.
1. The lesson (start) at 9 o'clock.
2. He often (wear) a black cap.
3. I (meet) my friends in the youth club tonight.
4. My friend (move) house tomorrow.
5. My birthday (be) in September.
Negative sentences
Complete the sentences. Use Simple Present or Present Progressive.
1. She (not / ride) her bike right now.
2. We (not / stay) at home tonight.
3. I (not / like) bananas.
4. They (not / know) the answer.
5. I (not / sit) in the garden at the moment.
questionn
Complete the sentences. Use Simple Present or Present Progressive.
1. When (arrive / the plane) ?
2. (visit / you) Jane in hospital today?
3. What time (get up / you) in the mornings?
4. Why (cry / she) now?
5. (swim / they) in the pool at the moment?
Text
Complete the sentences. Use Simple Present or Present Progressive.
1. I (live) in London.
2. This weekend, I (visit) my friends in Brighton.
3. The train to Brighton (leave) London at 6.45 in the morning.
4. In the early afternoon, we (want) to go on a sightseeing tour.
5. In the evening, we (go) to a concert.
6. The concert (start) at 8 o'clock.
7. I (come) back to London on Sunday.
8. My train (arrive) in London at 7.50 in the evening.
Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple present or present progressive).
is leaving
1. Look! He (leave) the house.
2. Quiet please! I (write) a test.
3. She usually (walk) to school.
4. But look! Today she (go) by bike.
5. Every Sunday we (go) to see my grandparents.
6. He often (go) to the cinema.
7. We (play) Monopoly at the moment.
8. The child seldom (cry) .
9. I (not / do) anything at the moment.
10. (watch / he) the news regularly?
Look at the picture on the right and complete the sentences (Simple Present or Present
Progressive).
1. This (be) Marc.
2. He (wear) a t-shirt and shorts today.
3. He (eat) an apple at the moment.
4. Marc (like) fruits and vegetables.
5. He (eat) some every day.
6. Marc (know) that apples (be) good for his health.
Complete the sentences. Use Simple Present and Present Progressive.
1. Look! Jenny (go) to school.
2. She (wear) a raincoat and wellies and she (carry) an
umbrella.
3. Jenny usually (cycle) to school, but today she (take) the bus
because it (rain) .
4. The bus (leave) at 7.35 and (arrive) at Jenny's school at
7.45.
5. The first lesson (begin) at 8 o'clock.
Look at the picture on the right and complete the sentences (Simple Present or Present
Progressive).
1. This (be) Caroline.
2. Caroline (have) long blond hair.
3. She usually (wear) glasses, but now she (wear) contact
lenses.
4. Caroline (like) sports.
5. She (play) handball every Monday and Thursday.
