Present Simple / Present Continuous

To form the Present Simple Tense we use the verb's base form (go, work, speak,study). In 3^rd person singular (he, she, it), the base form of the verb takes -s/es.

We use the Present Simple Tense:

· when we talk about things that happen repeatedly or habitually;

· with Present Simple Tense we often use time expressions such as always, often, sometimes, usually, seldom, on Saturdays, rarely, never, every day, etc.

Example: We usually start work at 8 o'clock.

· when we talk about permanent or long-lasting situations;

Example: Tom lives in London.

· when we talk about people or things in general;

Example: Nurses work in clinics and hospitals.

· to indicate general truths, facts and scientific laws;

Example: My birthday is in May. California is in the Unated States.

· when we talk about travel plans and timetables (mainly with verbs such as go,leave, arrive, start, come, return etc.);

Example: The course starts next Thursday.

· with state (or stative) verbs such as

Like,dislike, love, think, seem, look, know,feel, understand, want, need, hate,remember, forget, prefer, believe, mean,taste, hear, see, have (when the meaning is "possess"), own, belong, etc. These verbsare not normally used in the Continuous Tense (but there are exceptions).

 

Example: My aunt hates travelling by train.I like ice cream.

· to give instructions/directions;

Example: Walk down the street to the corner and then turn right.

The Present Simple Tense is also used in:

· sentences after "when", "after", "while", "till" / "until", "before", "as soon as"

Example: When the rain stops, we'll go out. I'll call you back as soon as I return home.

· zero conditional sentences (when the result of the condition is always true)

Example: If you heat water to 100°C (212°F), it boils.

· first conditional sentences (Often called the "real" conditional because it is used for real (or possible) situations. These situations take place if a certain condition is met.)

Example: If you finish your homework I'll bring you to the zoo.

 

To form the Present Continuous Tense we use the verb to be in present simple (am, is, are) and main verb with –ing ending.

We use Present Continuous Tense:

· actions that are happening now

Example: What are you doing? We are watching a horror film.

· actions that are happening at present, but not necessarily at this moment

Example: I'm studying French at the Escuela de Idiomas this year.

· future arrangements

Example: Sarah and I are having a birthday party together next weekend.

· habitual actions with a negative sense

Example: My little brother is always crying.