B2 COURSE

Unit 4 - Present simple vs Present Continuous

4.1. - Present simple or continuous?

Present simple for things that happen in general or regularly,

Present continuous for things happening now, at the moment, or current / temporary project.

Examples:

PRESENT SIMPLE PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I work from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day. I'm currently working on a new project.

Mark is studying the present continuous

Mark studies English every Tuesday night.
this week.

We usually go to Europe in the summer. Right now, we're going to the supermarket.

They always talk to their boss in the morning. It's 9:00 AM. They're talking to him now.

No, but it's raining at the moment.

Does it usually rain in the winter?
Take an umbrella.

Words that are often used with the present simple or continuous:

With the present simple:

Always, usually, often, sometimes, never, every (day / night / Monday / summer / year)

With the present simple:

Now, right now, at the moment, currently, this week / month / year, today

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Unit 4 - Present simple vs Present Continuous

4.2. - Form

PRESENT SIMPLE PRESENT CONTINUOUS

Bare Infinitive (3rd person singular: Form of ‘be’ and verb + ing

bare 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 when adding ‘s’: Exceptions when adding ‘ing’:

For can, may, might, must, do not
add -s. Example: he can, she may, it
must.
After o, ch, sh, x, z or s, add -es.
Example: Do – he does. Wash –
she washes.
After a consonant, the final
consonant y becomes ie. (but: not
after a vowel). Example: Worry –
he worries But: play – he plays.
Silent e is dropped (but does not
apply for -ee). Example: come –
coming
When a verb finishes in consonant,
vowel and consonant, you have to
double the final consonant.
Example: sit – sitting. Travel –
travelling.
Final -ie becomes -y. Example: lie –
lying.

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Unit 4 - Present simple vs Present Continuous

4.3. - Use
In general or right now?
Do you want to express that something happens in general or that something is happening right now?

PRESENT SIMPLE PRESENT CONTINUOUS

In general (regularly, often, never) Right now

Colin plays football every Tuesday.
Present actions happening one
after another
First Colin plays football, then he
watches TV.
Look! Colin is playing football now.
For several present actions
happening at the same time.
Colin is playing football and Anne is
watching.

SIGNAL WORDS: SIGNAL WORDS:

Always At this moment

Often At the moment
Every … Today
Normally Now
Usually Right now
Sometimes Look!
Seldom Listen!
Never
First
Then

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Unit 4 - Present simple vs Present Continuous

Timetable or arrangement?
Do you want to express that something is arranged for the near future? Or do you refer to a time set by
a timetable?

PRESENT SIMPLE PRESENT CONTINUOUS

Action set by a timetable Arrangement for the near future

The film starts at 8pm. I am going to the cinema tonight.

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 period of time?

PRESENT SIMPLE PRESENT CONTINUOUS

Daily routine Only for a limited period of time

Bob works in a restaurant. Jenny is working in a restautant

this week.

SUMMARY:

PRESENT SIMPLE PRESENT CONTINUOUS

ROUTINE
ACTIONS IN
HABITS PROGRESS

SCIENTIFIC FACTS NOW!

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Unit 4 - Present simple vs Present Continuous

State verbs:
4.4. - Certain verbs

The following verbs are usually only used in Present Simple (and not in the continuous form):

State verbs: be, cost, fit, mean, suit We are on holiday

Possession verbs: belong, have Sam has a cat

feel, hear, see, smell,

Senses: He feels the cold
taste, touch

hate, hope, like, love,

Feelings: Jane loves pizza
prefer, regret, want, wish

believe, know, think,

Brain work: I believe you
understand

Introductory clauses
answer, ask, reply, say I am watching TV, he says
for direct speech: