The choice between the Preset Simple and the Present Continuous

1. Present Simple
or
Continuous

2. present simple
is used for:

3. 1. things that are always true

4. Oil floats on water.
The Earth goes round the sun.

5. 2. things that are true
for a long time

6. I live in Rome.
She works for a big company.

7. 3. habits

8. He has coffee for breakfast.
They go to the beach in July.

9. adverbs of frequency
are common with
the present simple for habits

10. always
usually
often
He has coffee for breakfast.
sometimes
rarely
never

11. ‘present’ simple
is NOT a good name!

12. it talks about
general, repeated or permanent
time

13. present continuous
is used for:

14. 1. actions in progress

15. She’s crossing the road.
The sun is shining.

16. 2. actions happening
around now

17. I’m reading a good book.
We’re studying pronunciation.

18. verbs in the continuous are:
a) temporary
b) interruptible

19. contrast between habit and
current situation

20. I usually wear a suit to work
but today I’m wearing jeans.

21. He usually has tea for breakfast
but today he’s having coffee.

22. verbs of action and state

23. verbs of action change things

24. he was at home
He goes to work.
now he’s at work

25. she didn’t have a
drink
She buys a drink.
now she has a
drink

26. verbs of action can be used in
simple and continuous tenses

27. She has a shower every
morning.
She’s having a shower now.

28. verbs of state describe
unchanging situations

29. He believes in God.
She owns a Porsche.
She loves hip-hop.

30. common verbs of state:

31. believe
doubt
know
remember
understand

32. like
love
dislike
hate
prefer
want

33. agree
deny
mean
need
own

34. verbs of state aren’t used
in the continuous

35. I’m wanting an ice-cream.

36. I’m wanting an ice-cream.

37. I’m wanting an ice-cream.
I want an ice-cream.

38. some verbs have BOTH
state and action meanings
!

39. come

40. He comes from Frascati.
He’s coming from Frascati.

41. come = origin
He comes from Frascati.
He’s coming from Frascati.
come = travel

42. have

43. She has long hair.
She’s having lunch.

44. have = own /
possess
She has long hair.
She’s having lunch.
have = consume

45. think

46. What do you think of the film?
What are you thinking about?

47. think = have opinion
What do you think of the film?
What are you thinking about?
think = reflect

48. particular verbs

49. verbs of position

50. stand (up)
sit (down)
kneel (down)
lie (down)

51. these verbs use the simple for
the action of assuming a
position…

52. at the end, everybody stands up

53. they always sit in the corner

54. … and they use the continuous
to indicate a position already
assumed

55. the men are standing at the bar

56. she’s lying on the sofa

57. wear

58. ‘wear’ in the simple
indicates a habit…

59. I usually wear a suit to work...

60. … and in the continuous it
indicates what someone already
has on their body at the time

61. …but today I’m wearing jeans.