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We use the present simple tense for actions that happen again and again (everyday, sometimes, ever, never). Examples: I sometimes go to school by bike. You don't speak Greek. Do they get up early? He often travels. She doesn't work. Does she ever help you? 2. We use it for facts that are always true. Examples: Our planet moves round the sun. Lions eat meat. 3. With a future time expression (tomorrow, next week) it is used for planned future actions (timetables). Examples: The train leaves at 8.15. They return tonight.
doing? living now? speaking to? coming? doing here? having the test? watching?
Exercise: Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
1. 2.
3. 4. 5.
(John shake) hands with? (your friends come)? (they visit) at the moment?
Exercise: Put the verb in brackets in the correct form to make different form of the Present Continuous Tense.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
John What Jack and Peter Silvia Maria How many other students The phone
(read) a book now. (you do) tonight? (work) late today. (not listen) to music. (sit) next to Paul. (you study) with? (not ring).
Exercise. Click on the words in the correct order to make different sentences in the Present Continuous Tense - positive; negative; yes/no and information questions.
is reading|'s read
1.
We use the Present Continuous tense to speak about things which are happening now or things which are temporary. I am not working now. I am on holiday. Sally is listening to a new CD. Who are you phoning?
The Present Simple tense describes usual, repeated and permanent things - for example, always, usually, often, sometimes, never. I work as an accountant. John doesn't know German. How often do you play tennis?
Compare how these two tenses are used. Why are you walking to work? Don't you usually go by bus? I live in Kharkiv, but now I am living in Moscow. Usually we have dinner at 7, but today we are having it at 9.
2.
Some verbs are not normally used in the Continuous Tense. They are called "state" verbs. In English language there are verbs that are not normally used in the Continuous Tense, because they describe rather state than an action. They are called state verb (stative verbs, non-progressive verbs). The verbs that can be used in the Continuous Tense are called action verbs (dynamic verbs). Some verbs can be both state and action verbs depending on their meaning. Here are some verbs that are not normally used in the Continuous Tense.
like
Here are some a few verbs that can be both state and action verbs depending on their meaning.
I think you made a mistake. think = believe I am thinking about my mum now. think = mental process
I have two cars. have = possess, own I am having my lunch now. have = eat
I am seeing my friend tomorrow evening. see = meeting with I see what you mean. See = understand
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a) Why are you smelling the soup? b) Why do you smell the soup?
2.
a) She was feeling his arm on her shoulder. b) She felt his arm on her shoulder.
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