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Simple Present vs Present Progressive Guide

The document provides a guide comparing the simple present tense versus the present progressive tense in English. It outlines the forms of each, exceptions when adding suffixes, typical uses, signal words that indicate each tense, and examples to illustrate when to use the simple present versus present progressive in regards to general or current actions, schedules versus arrangements, and daily routines versus limited time frames. The guide aims to help students understand the difference between and appropriate uses of the simple present and present progressive tenses.

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Carlos Andrés Martínez Serna
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10 views3 pages

Simple Present vs Present Progressive Guide

The document provides a guide comparing the simple present tense versus the present progressive tense in English. It outlines the forms of each, exceptions when adding suffixes, typical uses, signal words that indicate each tense, and examples to illustrate when to use the simple present versus present progressive in regards to general or current actions, schedules versus arrangements, and daily routines versus limited time frames. The guide aims to help students understand the difference between and appropriate uses of the simple present and present progressive tenses.

Uploaded by

Carlos Andrés Martínez Serna
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

LICEO DE LOS ANDES

ESTABLECIMIENTO DE EDUCACIN Resolucin 1548 de Diciembre 13 de 2007 NIT. 891.901.285-1

SUBJECT: TEACHER: TOPIC:

English

GRADE:

Seventh

TERM

FIRST

Carlos Andrs Martnez Serna

Simple Present VS Present Progressive (GUIDE)

STUDENT`S NAME:

Simple Present Present Progressive


Form
Simple Present
infinitive (3rd person singular: infinitive + 's')
I speak you speak he / she / it speaks we speak they speak I am speaking you are speaking he / she / it is speaking we are speaking they are speaking

Present Progressive
form of 'be' and verb + ing

Exceptions Exceptions when adding 's' : For can, may, might, must, do not add s. Exceptions when adding 'ing' : Silent e is dropped. (but: does not apply for -ee) Example: come - coming but: agree - agreeing After a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled. Example: sit - sitting After a vowel, the final consonant l is doubled in British English (but not in American English). Example: travel - travelling (British English) but: traveling (American English) Final ie becomes y.

Example: he can, she may, it must After o, ch, sh or s, add es.

Example: do - he does, wash - she washes After a consonant, the final consonant y becomes ie. (but: not after a vowel) Example: worry - he worries but: play - he plays

Example: lie - lying

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
in general (regularly, often, never)
Colin plays football every Tuesday.

Present Progressive
right now
Look! Colin is playing football now.

present actions happening one after another


First Colin plays football, then he watches TV.

also for several actions happening at the same time


Colin is playing football and Anne is watching.

Signal words always every ... often normally usually sometimes seldom never first then at the moment at this moment today now right now Listen! Look!

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
action set by a timetable or schedule
The film starts at 8 pm.

Present Progressive
arrangement for the near future
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
daily routine
Bob works in a restaurant.

Present Progressive
only for a limited period of time (does not have to happen directly at the moment of speaking)
Jenny is working in a restaurant this week.

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