Simple + progressive aspect
Grammar
f f O Discuss the difference in meaning between these sentences:
1 When we got to the station the train had just left.
When we got to the station the train was just leaving.
2 He stood up when she entered the room.
He was standing up when she entered the room.
3 He usually prepares the meal when his wife gets home.
He is usually preparing the meal when his wife gets home.
He has usually prepared the meal when his wife gets home.
A I've been reading your book.
5 I'm not having dinner until 8 o'clock.
6 They always ask questions in class.
7 We'll be having breakfast at 7.30.
8 Will you join us for lunch?
9 I think you're being silly.
I've read your book.
I don't have dinner until 8 o'clock.
They're always asking questions in
We'll have breakfast at 7.30.
Will you be joining us for lunch?
I think you're silly.
Look at these pairs of sentences, each of which illustrates how simple and progressive
verb forms are used. Follow these steps for each numbered pair:
1 First, look at the verbs in red and make sure you understand WHY that particular form
is used.
2 Fill the gaps in the sentence that follows.
3 Write a similar example of your own for each rule illustrated.
(Number 1 has already been done to show you what to do.)
Present simple or present progressive: does or is doing
Past simple or past progressive: did or was doing
New Cambridge Advanced English
Find the errors in these sentences and correct them.
One sentence has NO errors.
f We- are usually having lunch out on Sundays.
2 We can tafce a picnic but what will we be doing if it starts to rain?
3 She- staged at home because she was having a cold.
4 While I drove along I suddenly remembered that I had left the freeier
door open.
5 The last time I saw him he was getting on a bus, eating an ice cream.
6 f^reafcfast is normally being served in the dining room but toda^ it is
served in the coffee shop.
7 Who is this recipe boofc that's l^ing on the table belonging to?
8 She was disliking vegetarian food at first but now she's enjoying it whenever she has been having it.
Find out about your partners' experiences of different kinds of food and drink,
using the questions below.
• Unusual foods they have eaten - vegetables, fruit, fish, sauces, salads, sweets, cakes, etc.
• Different cuisines - vegetarian, French, Italian, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Creek, etc.
• Strange things they have eaten - for breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper, elevenses, tea, etc.
• Strange drinks they have drunk - hot/cold, alcoholic/soft
• Different kinds of meals - banquets, buffets, picnics, etc.
Do you ever. . . ?
How long have you . . . ?
When do you . . . ?
What was it like exactly?
Have you ever. . . ?
When did you first. . . ?
How many times have you . . . ?
How often . . . ?