SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES

BETWEEN PRESENTSIMPLE TENSE AND PRESENT CONTINOUS TENSE Commented [n1]: Question ny rt ph hp vi cc em.

I. Introduction

1.1. Rationale of the study

With the non- stop internationalization and globalization, English has become
significantly important and been learned by more and more people including the
Vietnamese. As a basic grammatical foundation building sentences in line with
concrete contexts including the present, past and future, the collection of twelve tenses
supports English learners in communication as well as essential English skills.

In spite of fundamental knowledge, my friends and I sometimes find it difficult to

remember and practice in real conversations, resulting in misunderstandings and
getting confused when communicating with other people in English. Of twelve tenses,
the common problem here is difficulties of distinguishing between present simple and
present continuous tense.

As an English student, this problem urged meto do this research named A study of
similarities and differences between present simple tense and present continuous
tense. The results of this study areexpected to help me and my friends to distinguish
between present simple and present continuous tense in terms of form and recognized
signs and usage.

1.2. Aims of the study

The study is held on the purposes of:

Helping me (a third year student of English) and my friends understand

clearly these two tenses to communicate well;
Discovering and analyzing some similarities and differences present simple
and present continuous tense;
Making some suggestions to learn these two tenses effectively.

1.3. Design of the study

The study consists three parts:

Part A- Introduction
Part B- Investigation
Part C- Conclusion

II. Reviewing the literature

2.1. Theoretical Background

2.1.1.Definition of present simple tense

According to Cambridge Dictionary, the present simple is the tense that is used to Commented [n2]: Xut bn nm no?

refer to events, actions, and conditions that are happening all the time, or exist now.
Raymond Murphy in English Grammar in Use(1985), page 6 defined: The present
simple tense is the tense we use for things in general, or things that happen
repeatedly.

2.1.2. Characteristics of present simple tense

In fact, every tense is basically structured by three main components including

subject, verb and nouns or objects. With regard to present simple tense, subject is
divided into 2 terms: singular and plural form with equivalent verb form; verb added
S/ES in the end of that verb if the subject is singular like he, she, it and singular
nouns, for example, the word likes in this sentence He likes studying English.

2.1.3. Definition of present continuous tense

According to Cambridge Dictionary,the presentcontinuous is the tense that the verb

form used for actions or events that are happening or developing now. Defined by
Raymond Murphy in English Grammar in Use (1985), page 6the present
continuous is used for things happening at or around the time of speaking. The action
isnt complete.

2.1.4. Characteristics of present continuous tense

Considering about the present continuous, V-ingis the biggest feature representing this
tense. And the fixed formulate is shortened by S+BE+V-ING. The sentences I
am doing my homework nowand My mom is cooking in the kitchen are common
examples.

III. Methodology

3.1. Participants

This study is supported by 60 students from K55 of Foreign LanguageDepartment at

Vinh University.

3.2. Materials

The collected information is originated from the process of observations inintegrated-

skill classes of K55. Commented [n3]: Em da vo cc discourse m ly s liu th
tt hn, Hng .
 Reference

[1] Nguyen, T. V. L & Ngo, D. Ph(2009). An Introduction to research Methodology.

Vinh University.

[2] Raymond Murphy (1985). English Grammar in Use. Cambridge University Press.