Grammar summary | Unit 2

Present simple and present Stative verbs

continuous
We use the present simple to describe things that are
generally true, permanent situations or routines.
He lives in Maastricht. (= that is his permanent or usual
home)
In July it gets very hot in the day. (= a generally true
situation)
We do not usually use the present continuous with stative
verbs: have, own, know, like, want, understand, think (when
think means ‘believe’).
I want to learn the piano. (not am wanting)
They own a beautiful house on the Mediterranean coast.
She doesn’t have a driving licence, but she’s learning
to drive.

We use the present continuous to describe events which are ▶ Exercise 3

happening now or around now, and temporary situations.
He is staying with his aunt until he finds a flat. (= temporary
Trends
situation)
It’s getting colder at night. (= currently changing situation) We often use the present continuous to describe trends
because trends are situations which are in the process
For the present simple form, see page 140. of change.
House prices are going up and up.
▶ Exercise 1
The summers are getting warmer.
The quality of food in restaurants is definitely improving.
Present continuous
▶ Exercise 4
Form and use
Time expressions
Affirmative Negative
The most common time expressions used with the present
I’m waiting (’m = am) I’m not waiting
continuous are: at the moment, currently, now, today and
you/we/they are waiting you/we/they aren’t expressions with this (this week, this month, etc.).
waiting (aren’t = are not) She’s speaking to a customer at the moment. Can you
he/she/it is waiting he/she/it isn’t waiting call back in ten minutes?
(isn’t = is not) I’m currently working on an interesting project in Dubai.
They’re selling all computers at twenty per cent discount
this week.
Question Short answer
▶ Exercises 5–7
am I waiting? Yes, I am.
No, I’m not.

are you/we/they waiting? Yes, you/we/they are.

No, you/we/they aren’t.

is he/she/it waiting? Yes, he/she/it is.

No, he/she/it isn’t.

We form the present continuous with the present simple of

the verb be plus the -ing form of the verb.

We use the present continuous to describe:

●● events that are happening now or around now
Jack isn’t here. He’s playing tennis.
What are you reading?
●● temporary situations
The TV isn’t working. Can you fix it?
●● trends (situations that are in a process of change)
Sales of mobile phones are increasing every year.

▶ Exercise 2

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 EXERCISES 4 Complete the sentences describing trends using the
correct form of these verbs.
1 Choose the correct options to complete the conversations.
1 A: Do you smoke / Are you smoking? eat  get (x2)  go  live  increase
B: Occasionally. But I try / I’m trying to stop.
1 More and more people abroad for
2 A: What do you read / are you reading at the moment? their holidays.
B: It’s a book by Len Deighton. He writes / is writing 2 The cost of fruit and vegetables .
thrillers. 3 It harder to find a job.
4 People healthier food.
3 A: Does anyone sit / Is anyone sitting here?
5 The weather warmer.
B: Yes, my friend. He just gets / He’s just getting a
6 More and more people in big cities.
coffee from the canteen.

4 A: I usually take / am usually taking the train to work,
but they do / are doing some work on the line at the
moment.
B: Oh, I never take / am never taking the train. It’s too
expensive.
5 A: What does your company do / is your company
doing?
B: We make / are making parts for helicopters.
5 Choose the correct time expression to complete the
sentences.
1 Sorry, I can’t speak. I’m working at the moment / always.
2 They clean the room this week / every day.
3 We’re currently / this week looking for a new editor.
4 They’re interviewing people for the job every day / this week.
5 She currently / usually goes for a run on Saturday morning.
6 Where is he living sometimes / now?

2 Complete the conversation using the present continuous 6 Complete the conversation using the present simple and
form of the verbs. present continuous form of the verbs.

A: Hello. Can I help you? A: 1

What / you / do / at the moment?
B: Yes, 1 (I / look) for Mr Jarvis’
office. B 2
Well, currently / I / work / as a chef in a restaurant, but
A: Oh, come with me. 2 (I / go) in I / look / for a new job.
that direction. 3 (he / expect) you?
B: Yes, our meeting’s at 2.00 p.m. A: Oh, why’s that?
A: OK. Here we are. Oh dear, he’s not here. Perhaps B: 3 Well, I / like / the work generally, but right now I / not /
4
(he / have) lunch. I can phone learn / anything new.
him if you like.
B: No, that’s OK. A: 4
What / you / want / to learn?
A: Well, can I get you a cup of tea while
5
(you / wait)? I can’t get you a B: 5
I / hope / to be a pastry chef one day.
coffee, I’m afraid, because the coffee machine
6
(not / work) at the moment. A: You mean making cakes and things?
B: Thanks. Tea is great. B: Yes, that’s right. 6 I / currently / do / a French pastry
course. 7 I / go / to classes every week.
3 Look at the underlined verbs. Are the uses of the present
continuous correct? If not, rewrite the verb using the A: Good for you! 8 I / often / think / about training to do
present simple. something different, but I / never / do / anything about it!

I bought a new bed and now I 1 am trying to build it,

but I 2 am not understanding the instructions. My wife 7 Correct the mistake in each sentence.
3
is working today and I 4 am wanting to finish the bed
1 We are often eating out in the evenings.
before she comes home. We 5 are not having another bed,
because we threw the old one away. Normally I like this
2 I only stay here for a few days.
kind of job, but I 6 am not enjoying this one. I 7 am knowing
that she will be angry if the bed is not finished.
3 What do you do these days?

4 They are owning a big house in the country.

5 Exam results in schools improve each year.

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