PRESENT SIMPLE AND

PRESENT CONTINUOUS
PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS
PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS
USES
PRESENT SIMPLE

We use the present simple to talk about:

• Permanent situations - Tom works in Boston.

• Habits/routines – They usually eat pizza on Saturdays.
• Timetables – The train leaves at 8.30.
• Facts/universal truths - Berlin is the capital city of Germany.
• States, things which do not often change (for example, opinions and
conditions) - Anna believes in destiny.
PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS
USES
PRESENT CONTINUOUS

We use the present continuous to talk about:

• actions happening at the moment of speaking

– Michael is writing a children's story. (now)

• temporary actions – He’s riding a bike to get to work

because his car is broken. (His car will soon be
repaired)

• actions that are arranged for the near future – Carol's

leaving for San Francisco on Friday. (She has already
bought her ticket)
PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS
FORM
PRESENT SIMPLE PRESENT CONTINUOUS
3rd person singular: infinitive + 's' Verb ‘to be' + ing form

I play I am playing
you play you are playing
he / she / it plays he / she / it is playing
we play we are playing
they play they are playing
PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS
PRESENT SIMPLE

Exceptions when adding 's':

• For can, may, might, must, do not add 's'.

Examples: she can, he may, it must

• After o, ch, sh or s, add 'es'.

Examples: go - he goes
watch - she watches

• After a consonant, the final consonant y becomes ie. (but: not after a vowel)
Examples: study - she studies
but: play - he plays
PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
Exceptions when adding 'ing' :

• Silent e is dropped. (does not apply for - ee)

Examples: dance - dancing
but: see - seeing

• After a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled.

Example: sit - sitting

• After a vowel, the final consonant l is doubled in British English.

Example: travel - travelling (British English)
but: traveling (American English)

• Final ie becomes y.
Example: lie - lying
PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS

Practice
PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS
PRACTICE
am going (go) to New York next month. Do you want to come?
I _________
PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS
PRACTICE
We are looking
__________(look) for a new flat.
PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS
PRACTICE
are having (have) dinner with them next week.
We ___________
PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS
PRACTICE
hates (hate) it!
Don't give Tom any cheese. He ________
PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS
PRACTICE
don’t eat (not/eat) meat.
Vegetarians are people who _________
PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS
PRACTICE
swims (swim) very well, but she ___________
Emily ________ doesn’t run (not/run)
very fast.
PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS
PRACTICE
is jumping (jump) into the water.
Look! Star __________
PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS
PRACTICE
drives (drive) an expensive car.
Sam is rich — she ________
PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS
PRACTICE
do you read (you/read) a newspaper?
How often ____________
PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS
PRACTICE
Are you staying (you / stay) at your
Glad to see you again, Ann! ______________
aunt's for the weekend?
PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS
PRACTICE
isn’t having (not/have) a piano lesson this afternoon, is she?
She ___________
PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS
PRACTICE
Are you meeting (you/meet) your best friend today?
________________
PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS
PRACTICE
does the train arrive (the train/arrive)?
What time ____________________
PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS
PRACTICE
doesn’t ride (not/ride) his horse on Mondays.
He ____________
PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS
PRACTICE
is studying (study) in the library.
Jane isn’t at home right now. She ___________
PRESENT SIMPLE AND
PRESENT CONTINUOUS