2. LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
This lesson aims to let you:
1. Know the difference between present simple tense
and present continuous tense
2. Explain the usage of the present simple tense and
present continuous tense
3. Recognize common mistakes in sentences that use
present simple and present continuous tenses
4. Use correctly the two tenses in meaningful sentences
3.
4. It is the form a verb takes to
show the time it happened
What is a TENSE?
5. The tenses of verb are:
SIMPLE PRESENT, PRESENT PROGRESSIVE, SIMPLE PAST,
PAST PROGRESSIVE, SIMPLE PRESENT PERFECT, PRESENT
PERFECT PROGRESSIVE, SIMPLE PAST PERFECT, PAST
PERFECT PROGRESSIVE, FUTURE PROGRESSIVE, FUTURE
PERFECT PROGRESSIVE, CONDITIONAL SIMPLE,
CONDITIONAL PROGRESSIVE, CONDITIONAL PERFECT &
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
7. When do we use the
Present Simple Tense?
We use the present simple tense when we
want to talk about fixed habits or routines
– things that don’t change.
8. With the present simple we say:
I play tennis.
You play tennis.
We play tennis
They play tennis
He/She/ It plays tennis.
9. I play tennis.
‘I play tennis’
This tells us that playing tennis is something
the speaker always does.
It is part of a routine or habit.
We can call this a permanent situation.
10. When do we use the
Present Continuous Tense?
We use the present continuous tense
when we want to talk about actions which
are happening at the moment, but will
soon finish.
11. With the present continuous we say:
I am playing tennis
You are playing tennis
We are playing tennis
They are playing tennis
He/She/It is playing tennis
12. I am playing tennis.
‘I play tennis’
This tells us that the speaker is playing
tennis right now.
Soon the game will be over.
We call this a temporary situation.
15. For simple present:
always, seldom, rarely,
never, regularly, every
every Monday, etc.
For present continuous:
right now, at the
moment, this time,
presently, currently, etc.
19. Today she spends time with her
grand mother.
Today she is spending time with her
grand mother.
20. They usually are going to the
gym on Sundays.
They usually go to the gym on
Sundays.
21. The train is always leaving on
time.
The train always leaves on time.
22. He is always bringing a monolingual
dictionary to his English class.
He always brings a monolingual
dictionary to his English class.
23. They sometimes are flying to
Sweden, but usually they go by
boat.
They sometimes fly to Sweden,
but usually they go by boat.
24. Directions: On a one whole sheet of pad paper, copy and answer the following by
choosing and encircling the letter of the correct answer.
1. Marie-‐Claude isn't a Canadian I ________ she comes from France.
A. believe
B. am believing
2. Look! Junko_______ into the water.
A. jumps
B. is jumping
3. I ________you're crazy!
A. think
B. am thinking
4. Don't give Jan any cheese. She ________it!
A. hates
B. is hating
5. I ________ to Toronto next Thursday. Do you want to come?
A. go
B. am going
25. 6. Once a week, I _______ to an art class at the college.
A. go
B. am going
7. I ________ lunch in the cafeteria every day.
A. have
B. am having
8. Salman is rich—he_______ a Mercedes.
A. drives
B. is driving
9. You won't find Jerry at home right now. He ________in the library.
A. studies
B. is studying
10. It ________ quite hard —perhaps we shouldn't go out tonight.
A. snows
B. is snowing
26. ASSIGNMENT:
Compose two paragraphs about any topic. One paragraph that
makes use of verbs in present simple tense and another that makes
use of verbs in present continuous tense.
