Present Simple and Present Continuous A) 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 (timetables, schedules…) 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. B) Present continuous Form: Positive: Negative: Subject + to be + verb-ing Subject + to be + not + 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 Fixed arrangements for the future We are going to Prague on Saturday. Common time adverbials with the Present Continuous: just, now, at the moment, at present, this week/month/year…. PRACTICE 1 Put each verb in brackets into either the Present Simple or the Present Continuous. 1 What disciplines (you study) _________________________? 2 What subjects (you study) _________________________this term? 3 Justin (write currently) _________________________ a book about his adventures in Tibet. I hope he can find a good publisher when he is finished. 4 What (you look) _________________________at? (I wear) _________________________the wrong clothes again? 5 Excuse me, (you read) _________________________the newspaper? Could I borrow it? 6 I (still have) _________________________a pain in my leg but it (get) _________________________better. 7 What (the people here do) _________________________in the evenings? 8 The light from the Sun (take) _________________________8 mins 20 secs to reach the Earth. 9 I (look after) _________________________Jack’s dog this weekend. (you want) _________________________to take it for a walk? 10 Who (Sue dance) _________________________with? That’s not her brother, is it? 11 I (think of) _________________________ looking for a job in Prague. 12 Which hotel (you stay) _________________________in whenever you (come) _________________________here? 13 I cannot see you on Thursday afternoon. I (visit) _________________________our Birmingham branch. 14 What time (your plane leave) _________________________? 15 Can you call me at 7:00, because we (leave) _________________________tomorrow. 16 According to this timetable, the bus (arrive) _________________________at 6:00. 17 Where (you work) _________________________? 18 What project (you work on) _________________________this month? 2 Correct the mistakes in the highlighted phrases. 1 Ouch! You stand on my foot! You’re standing 2 They have always free time on Monday afternoon, so you can contact them then. 3 She can’t answer the door, because she has a shower. 4 We are needing a reply from you before Friday. 5 She don’t like when people are rude to her. 6 They always are late. 7 Do you go out tonight? 8 I’m fed up with him. He always forgets to reply to my emails! 9 A: Are you going to subscribe for next year? B: I don’t know yet. It is depending on price. 10 A: What does she cook? B: I don’t know, but it is smelling good.