Present Simple and Present Continuous

Forms
Present Simple

Present Continuous

The present simple form of the verb is

identical with the infinitive one, except for the
third person singular which needs an
agreement( -s or -es).
Eg: I work in Bucharest. He works in
Bucharest.

The Continuous present tense is formed

with the present tense of the verb BE + VERB
+ ,,- ing.
Eg: I am watching television at the moment.
Im having a great time!

!! The ,,-s/ ,,-es can`t be add to modal verbs

(can, may, must, etc).
*he cans, *he mights.
Also, after a consonant, the final consonant y
becomes ie: worry worries.

Exceptions when adding 'ing' in the Present Continuous Tense form:

-

,,-e is droped, but this rule is not available for ,,-ee: come coming, agree agreeing.

after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled: get getting.

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: lie lying

Uses
Present Simple

Present Continuous
1

General truths or facts, permanent

situationsm, laws of nature.
Eg: Fish live in water.

Habitual, repetitive actions with

always, often, never, every day, etc.
Eg: He plays football every Monday.
Dad takes the bus every day.

With repeated actions, which annoys

the speaker.
Eg: Why are you always forgetting to
do the laundry?

Sequences of action.
Eg: Nine minutes past ten. The train
leaves in six minutes. I buy my ticket quickly,
step out onto the platform, run to the train, and
get onto the train.

An action taking place at the moment

of speaking, the action is NOT
complete, it has durations.
Eg: It is snowing.

Short actions, completed almost

immediatly, for example stage
directions.
Action set by a timetable or schedule:
Eg: The movie starts at 9 a.m.
The train leaves at 4 p.m.

An action that extends over a longer

period of time, not necessarily at the
moment of speacking.
Eg: I am looking for a job.

The transition from one state to

another.
Eg: The weather is changing.

A temporary action or behaviour.

Eg: Why are you acting so foolish

today?

In temporal and conditional clauses,

when the verb in the main clause is in
the present/future tense or in the
imperative.
Eg: Get a good night`s sleep before you
gave the test.

Planned actions for the near future.

Eg: The time must be mentioned.
We are going to London next Saturday.

In subordinate (temporal and

conditional) clauses.
Eg: I`ll do the dishes while you`re
writing your homework for tomorrow.