PRESENT SIMPLE VS.

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

REMEMBER We use the PRESENT SIMPLE to talk about:

Things that happen regularly (habits) He plays tennis twice a week Things which are always true The sun rises in the east Facts: Grocers sell vegetables I don't speak Chinese Feelings and opinions: She loves basketball Thoughts: He doesn't understand me I think he's interesting Possession: I have a lot of food in the fridge

We use the PRESENT CONTINUOUS to...

Talk about actions and situations in progress now: The bus is coming Actions: I'm thinking about your problem We're having breakfast Actions and situations in progress around now, but now exactly at the moment we speak: What are you doing these days? I'm learning French Describe people's clothes: The girl is wearing black jeans and a white jacket

KEY WORDS
PRESENT SIMPLE CONTINUOUS Adverbs of frequency (always, never, often...) Expressions of frequency (once a week, on ...Fridays... every...month...) PRESENT

now, at the moment today these days just/right now this...afternoon

So there's a difference...
between what normally happens, repeated actions or a situation that exists over a long time He works for an advertising company The buses leave every hour

and what is happening (around) now or for a limited period of time John is working abroad for 6 months We're painting the flat this week

It OFTEN rains in Ireland

But TODAY it isnt raining

She plays golf three times a month

But THIS month she is doing windsurf

My brother lives in Las Palmas

But he found a summer job in London and he's living there now

Mary is a lawyer

But she couldn't find a job, so she's working as a shop assistant.

I usually wear jeans

But Im wearing a dress for the party tonight

What do they do? OR What are they doing?

What is she doing?

Shes

taking a bath (now)

What does she do?

She

takes photos

(usually)

Is she taking photos? No, she isnt Does she take photos?
.

Yes, she does. She takes photos in her studio

What does she do?

She

is a student goes to primary school

She

What is she doing?

She

is playing the piano (at the moment)

What does she NORMALLY do?

She

is a teacher She teaches Maths She works in a school

What is she doing?

She

is teaching Maths She is working (now)

Who is he? What does he do?

He

is a politician Hes the president of the USA He governs his country

What is he doing?
Hes

dancing with his wife (right now)

Were pilots
What

do they do?

They

fly planes

Were pilots
What

are they doing? arent flying, they are fishing

They

And what do YOU do?

What are YOU doing (now)?

By Pili A.M. (2011)