I1 Part 1 Lesson 6

I1 Part 1 Lesson 6

Grammar - Present simple and present continuous

Present Simple

​We use the present simple to describe things that are generally true, permanent situations or routines.

​

He lives in Maastricht. (= that is his permanent or usual home)

In July it gets very hot in the day. (= a generally true situation)

​Present Continuous

We use the present continuous to describe events which are happening now or around now, and temporary situations.

​

He is staying with his aunt until he finds a flat. (= temporary situation)

It’s getting colder at night. (= currently changing situation)​

​Exercise 1

​Write sentences. Use the present simple or the present continuous

Multiple Choice

Companies / become better at using social media.

• Companies are becoming better at using social media.

• Companies become better at using social media.

• Companies are become better at using social media.

Present Continuous

Companies are becoming better at using social media.

​

​We are using the present continuous to describe a currently changing situation.

​

​Remember the present continuous is formed by

​SUBJECT + TO BE + VERB<ING>

​Companies are becoming better at using social media.

Multiple Choice

My friend John / be / from Australia

• My friend John is from Australia.

• My friend John is being from Australia.

• My friend is be from Australia.

​Present Simple

​My friend John is from Australia.

​

We are ​using the present simple to describe a fact or permanent situation.

​

​

Multiple Choice

I / not like / wasting time on social media.

• I don't like wasting time on social media.

• I'm not liking wasting time on social media.

• I'm not like wasting time on social media.

​Present Simple

I don't like wasting time on social media.

​

We are ​using the present simple to describe a fact or permanent situation. This is something that I normally dislike doing.

​

The negative form of the present simple is formed by:

​SUBJECT + DON'T/DOESN'T + VERB

​ I DON'T LIKE wasting time on social media.

Multiple Choice

I / wait / for my friend to phone me.

• I wait for my friend to phone me.

• I'm waiting for my friend to phone me.

• I'm wait for my friend to phone me.

Multiple Choice

I / work / at home this week because the office is closed.

• I work at home this week because the office is closed.

• I'm working at home this week because the office is closed.

• I'm work at home this week because the office is closed.

​Present Continuous

​I'm waiting for my friend to phone me.

​I'm working at home this week because the office is closed.

​

We are using the present continuous to describe a temporary situation. In the first sentence we imagine its temporary because of the context, but also because if it weren't they would say I always wait for my friend to phone me.

​In the second sentence the time expression this week indicated that this is a temporary situation.

​Pay attention to time expressions and adverbs of frequency they will help you.

Exercise 1​

​Complete the texts. Use the present simple or the present continuous form of the verbs in brackets.

​Complete the texts. Use the present simple or the present continuous form of the verbs.

​Running a business on social media: success stories

Twitter Alter (@AlterBrooklyn), an independent clothes shop, 1 ............(have) three locations in New York City. The business 2 ...............(post) tweets about five times daily to show followers their new designs or photos of fashion photographers and models at work. In addition, at the moment, they 3................. (increase) their number of followers in the area by using Twitter’s Promoted Accounts. This service 4.......... (target) users by location, interests or other information and quickly 5 .........................(attract) people who may be interested in Alter’s products.

​CLICK NEXT TO START

Multiple Choice

Twitter Alter (@AlterBrooklyn), an independent clothes shop, 1 ............(have) three locations in New York City.

• have

• has

• is having

Multiple Choice

The business 2 ...............(post) tweets about five times daily to show followers their new designs or photos of fashion photographers and models at work.

• post

• posts

• is posting

Multiple Choice

In addition, at the moment, they 3................. (increase) their number of followers in the area by using Twitter’s Promoted Accounts.

• increase

• increases

• are increasing

• is increasing

Multiple Choice

This service 4.......... (target) users by location, interests or other information

• target

• targets

• is targeting

• are targeting

Multiple Choice

and quickly 5 .........................(attract) people who may be interested in Alter’s products.

• attract

• attracts

• is attracting

• are attracting

​Listen to the explanation

​Twitter Alter (@AlterBrooklyn), an independent clothes shop, has three locations in New York City. The business posts tweets about five times daily to show followers their new designs or photos of fashion photographers and models at work. In addition, at the moment, they are increasing their number of followers in the area by using Twitter’s Promoted Accounts. This service targets users by location, interests or other information and quickly attracts people who may be interested in Alter’s products.

​Congrats!

​Now, take this opportunity to look for other businesses with another story of success. You can tell your peers and teacher in the following lesson using the simple present and present continuous.