Learning English

Present Continuous Present Continuous vs vs

Present SimplePresent Simple

Let’s revise the difference!

Present Continuous Present Simple

1. for permanent situations

John works in a bank.

They love coffee.

They have two children.

I don't like swimming.

2. for habits and routines with the adverbs: always, often, usually, sometimes, never

I often play hockey .

They usually watch TV in the evening.

I sometimes go to work by car.

I never do morning exercises. And you?

3. with the adverbs: every day, once a week, every year, four times a month, at the weekend

She goes swimming at the weekends.

Sam takes a shower every day.

I blow out candles once a year.

4. for facts and things that are generally true

It snows in winter.

Water boils at 100°C.

Plants die without water.

5. for programs and timetables

Our lessons start at 9 o’clock.

The football match starts at 8 p.m.

The train leaves at 7.30.

Let’s reviewLet’s review

Use the Present Simple for:

1. for permanent situations

2. for habits and routines with the adverbs: always, often, usually, sometimes, never

4. for facts and things that are generally true

5. for programs and timetables

3. with the adverbs: every day, once a week, every year, four times a month, at the weekend

Give the correct form of the Present Simple of the verb in brackets

1.My Dad …………in Saudi Arabia. (work)

1.My Dad works in Saudi Arabia.

2. The Bible …….love of money is the root of evil. (say)

2. The Bible says love of money is the root of evil.

3. She never ……up very early. (get)

3. She never gets up very early.

4. The concert ………at 6 this evening. (begin)

4. The concert begins at 6 this evening.

5. He …….to Moscow once a week. (drive)

5. He drives to Moscow once a week.

Give the correct form of the Present Simple of the verb in brackets

6. In the film he …..the central character of David Copperfield. (play)

6. In the film he plays the central character of David Copperfield.

7. She …a very good sister. (is) We ……her. (love)

7. She is a very good sister. We love her.

8. The children ……….a lot of ice-cream. (eat)

8. The children eat a lot of ice-cream.

9. Babies normally ……..weight in the beginning. (lose)

9. Babies normally lose weight in the beginning.

10. It seldom ……here. (rain)

10. It seldom rains here.

EAnd you? Answer the questions about your day.

1.What time do you usually wake up?2.What do you normally have for breakfast?3.Do you usually have lunch at home?4.What do you do after school?5.What do you usually do in the evenings?

1. for things that are happening at the moment of speaking

Julie is sleeping.

I’m working at the moment.

Please call back – we are eating dinner.

2. for temporary situations, when we feel something won't continue for a long time

I’m reading a really great book.

She’s staying with her friend these days.

John’s working in a bar until he finds a job in his field.

3. with always and constantly to show our annoyance, anger and criticism

He is constantly using my computer when I need it!.

He is always losing his keys!

You are always telling the lies.

They’re always being late.

4. for definite future arrangements (with a future time word). We have already made a plan and we are sure that the event will happen in the future.

They’re coming to the party in three days.

We’re going to the beach at the weekend.

He is flying to Jamaica tomorrow.

Let’s reviewLet’s review

Use the Present Continuous for:

1. for things that are happening at the moment of speaking.

2. for temporary situations, when we feel something won't continue for a long time.

3. with always and constantly to show our annoyance, anger and criticism

4. for definite future arrangements (with a future time word). We have already made a plan and we are sure that the event will happen in the future.

Choose Present Simple or Present Continuous

You (come) ________ tonight. You are coming tonight.

(He / eat) _______ rice every day? Does he eat rice every day?

I (work) _______ at the moment. I am working at the moment.

They (not / come) __ to the partytomorrow.

They aren’t coming to the partytomorrow.

She (not / go) _____ to the cinema veryoften.

She doesn’t go to the cinema veryoften.

He normally (eat) ____ dinner at home. He normally eats dinner at home.

You (not / like) _______ chocolate. You don’t like chocolate.

I (clean)_____ the kitchen every day. I clean the kitchen every day.

Thank you for your attention!