Present simple vs Present continuous

Present Simple vs
Present Continuous

Present Simple

When do we use it?

• Habits and routines: I work in a garage.

• General actions, permanent situations and definitions: Mechanics repair cars.

• To express feelings and opinions: He loves Ferrari cars.

How do we form it?

Subject + don't/doesn't* + verb (infinitive)

ex. I don't work in a garage
She doesn't work in a garage

Negative

Subject + verb (infinitive)

if He/She/It --> add -s

ex. She works
They work

Affirmative

​*don't = do not
doesn't = does not

How do we form it?

Interrogative

Do/Does + subject + verb (infinitive)

ex. Does he work in a garage? Yes, he does/No, he doesn't.
Do you work in a garage? Yes, I do/No, I don't.

Same with negative questions:
Doesn't she work in a garage?
Don't they work in a garage?

​Spelling rules

• Most verbs add -s.

  • ex. stop -> stops, drive -> drives

• Verbs ending in -ss, -sh, -ch, -x or -o add -es

  • ex. kiss, wash, watch, fix, go

• Verbs ending in a consonant + -y change the -y into -i and add -es

  • cry -> cries, try -> tries

Your turn!

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the present simple:

Multiple Choice

• I like apples.

• I don't like chocolate.

• She doesn't like chocolate.

• I like chocolate

Multiple Choice

Linda often _____ when she gets home.

• watch TV

• watches TV

• is watching

• cooks dinner

Multiple Choice

My brother ______ a daughter and a son.

• have

• has

• is having

• are having

Multiple Choice

My school _________ at nine every day.

• begin

• begins

• is beginning

Multiple Choice

Miss Clara __________ a violin class every Wednesday.

• take

• takes

• is taking

Frequency adverbs and expressions

Present simple is often used with adverbs or adverb phrases such as: always, never, sometimes, on Sundays, twice a year, etc.

• Frequency averbs are placed before the verb:

  • He always drives big cars.

• Frequency expressions usually appear at the end of the sentence

  • I drive a lorry every day

​Adverbs of frequency

How well do you know your partner?

In pairs, use the words from the box to complete the following table:

Present Continuous

When do we use it?

• Activities at the moment of speaking

  • I am reparing this car.

• Future plans or arrangements

  • I am going to Germany next week.

Present Continuous

How do we form it?

Subject + verb to be + verb (-ing)

ex. (+) I am repairing this car.
(-) I am not repairing this car.
(?) Are you repairing this car? Yes, I am/No, I am not.

Multiple Choice

I am watching TV and my brother ........................... a book.

• reading

• is reading

• reads

Multiple Choice

Thomas and Patrick ..................... outside in the yard now.

• are playing

• is playing

• are plays

Multiple Choice

A) ............................... doing?

B) I am washing dishes.

• What are you

• What you

• What do you

Multiple Choice

They ................. eating their dinner right now because their food is too hot.

• not

• aren't

• isn't

Multiple Choice

I can't talk to you right now because I .......................................

• am study

• are studying

• am studying

Multiple Choice

He usually goes for a walk at this time, but he ............... for a walk now.

• doesn't go

• not go

• isn't going

Multiple Choice

It's very noisy upstairs!

What ...................................?

• are they doing

• they doing

• do they do

Multiple Choice

A) ...................... right now?

B) Yes, he is.

• He sleeps

• Is he sleeping

• He sleeping