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Simple Present vs Present Continuous Guide

The document outlines the differences between the Simple Present and Present Continuous verb forms, including their structures and usage. It details exceptions for adding 's' in Simple Present and 'ing' in Present Continuous, along with signal words for each tense. Additionally, it highlights certain verbs that are typically only used in the Simple Present tense.

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7 views3 pages

Simple Present vs Present Continuous Guide

The document outlines the differences between the Simple Present and Present Continuous verb forms, including their structures and usage. It details exceptions for adding 's' in Simple Present and 'ing' in Present Continuous, along with signal words for each tense. Additionally, it highlights certain verbs that are typically only used in the Simple Present tense.

Uploaded by

healthfactory2021
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Simple Present – Present Continuous

Form

Simple Present Present Continue

infinitive form of 'be' and verb + ing


(3rd person singular: infinitive + 's')
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

Exceptions
Exceptions when adding 's' : Exceptions when adding 'ing' :
▪ For can, may, might, must, do not add s. ▪ Silent e is dropped. (but: does not apply for -ee)
Example: he can, she may, it must Example: come - coming
but: agree - agreeing
▪ After o, ch, sh or s, add es.
Example: do - he does, wash - she washes ▪ After a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is
doubled.
▪ After a consonant, the final consonant y Example: sit - sitting
becomes ie. (but: not after a vowel)
Example: worry - he worries ▪ After a vowel, the final consonant l is doubled in
but: play - he plays British English (but not in American English).
Example: travel - travelling (British English)
but: traveling (American English)

▪ Final ie becomes y.
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 Present 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 same
another time
First Colin plays football, then he watches Colin is playing football and Anne is watching.
TV.

Signal words

▪ always, every, often, normally, usually, sometimes, ▪ at the moment, at this moment, today, now, right now,
seldom, never, first, then …. ▪ listen!, look!
▪
▪
▪

Note: The following verbs are usually only used in Simple Present:
be, have, hear, know, like, love, see, smell, think, want

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 Continue

only for a limited period of time (does not have to happen


daily routine directly at the moment of speaking)
Bob works in a restaurant. 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: He feels the
cold
▪ brain work: believe, know, think, understand. - Example: I believe you.

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