Present simple and present continuous

Present simple:

Form:

Positive                                                          Negative:

I/You/We/They  start at 8:00.                        I/You/We/They don’t start at 8:00.

She/He/It starts at 8:00                                 She/He/It doesn’t start at 8:00.


Question:

Do I/you/we/they start at 8:00?                     Yes, I do.  No, I don’t.

Does she/he/it start at 8:00?                                   Yes, she does. No, she doesn’t.


Use:

1 Facts which are always true          Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.

2 Habitual actions (routines, habits)  I usually go to work by car.

3 Permanent situations and states My parents live in London. They have been there for 20 years.

4 Future facts             My train leaves at 7:00.


Common time adverbials with the Present Simple: always, usually, regularly, every morning, often,
sometimes, twice a week, from time to time, occasionally, rarely, seldom, once a month, hardly
ever, never.


Present continuous

Form:

Positive:                                                         Negative:

Subject + to be + verb-ing                             Subject + not to be + verb-ing

I am going outside.                                       I am not going outside.

You are going outside….                             You are not going outside. …


Question:

to be + subject + verb-ing

Are you going outside?                                            Yes, I am.  No, I am not.

Is he going outside?                                     Yes, he is. No, he isn’t.


Use:

1 An activity happening now              I’m doing the washing-up just now.

2 Temporary situations and habits    I’m living with some friends until I can find a flat.

3 An annoying habit                           You’re always borrowing money from me!

4 Personal arrangements for the future        We are going to Prague on Saturday.


Common time adverbials: just, now, at the moment, at the present.