I1 Part 1 Lesson 6

Use the present simple or the present continuous to complete the sentences

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.

Answer explanation

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.

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.

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.

Answer explanation

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.

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.

Answer explanation

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.

It / get / harder to find a job lately.

• It get harder to find a job lately

• It's getting harder to find a job lately.

• It's get harder to find a job lately.

Answer explanation

We often use the present continuous to describe trends because trends are situations which are in the process of change.

More and more people / live in big cities.

• More and more people live in big cities.

• More and more people are living in big cities.

• More and more people are live in big cities.

Answer explanation

We often use the present continuous to describe trends. More and more indicated that this is a trend.

We / often / eat out in the evenings.

• We often eat out in the evenings.

• We are often eating out in the evenings.

• We are often eat out in the evenings.

Answer explanation

We normally use frequency adverbs (e.g. often) with the simple present form of the verbs.

Correct or Incorrect?

Exam results in schools improve each year.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Answer explanation

This is an yearly trend, so we use the present continuous

What do you do these days?

• Correct

• Incorrect

Answer explanation

This is a temporary situation, we use the expression these days to indicate it.

The correct sentence would be:

What are you doing these days?

Where is he living now?

• Correct

• Incorrect