The Present Simple Tense

Explanatory Notes
The Simple Present Tense uses the verbs base form (write, work), or, for thirdperson singular subjects, the base form plus an -s ending (he writes, she works).
Affirmative Negative
I work I do not (dont) work
You work You do not (dont) work
He/she/it works He/she/it does not (doesnt) work
We work We do not (dont) work
You work You do not (dont) work
They work They do not (dont) work
Interrogative
Do I work? Do we work?
Do you work? Do you work?
Does he/she/it work? Do they work?
The Simple Present Tense indicates that an action is present, now, relative to the
speaker or writer. Generally, it is used to describe actions that are factual or habitual things that occur in the present but that are not necessarily happening right now:
It rains a lot in Portland.
is a kind of timeless statement. Compare that to the present progressive:
It is raining in Portland.
which means that something is, in fact, going on right now.
I use my bike to get around town is in the present, but Im not actually on my bike right
now.
The present tense is used to describe events that are scheduled (by nature or by
people):
High tide is at 3:15 p.m.
The Super Bowl starts at 6:15 p.m.
The present tense can be used to suggest the past with what is sometimes called
the fictional (or historic) present:
We were watching the back door when, all of a sudden, in walks Mary.
With verbs of communicating, the present tense can also suggest a past action:
Mary tells me that she took her brother to the dentist.
Most oddly, the present tense can convey a sense of the future, especially with
verbs such as arrive, come, and leave that suggest a kind of plan or schedule:
The train from Boston arrives this afternoon at two oclock.
Present tense habitual activities are frequently signaled by time expressions such
as the following:
all the timealways
every month
often rarely
every classevery day
every semester
sometimes usually

every holiday every

hour

every weekevery year most of the

time never

Exercises
1. Write these verbs + -s or -es.
1 (read) she ...reads...
2 (think) he ..
3 (fly) it .
4 (dance) he .
5 (have) she
6 (finish) it ......................................
2. Complete the sentences. Use these verbs:
boil close cost cost like like meet open speak teach wash
1 Margaret ...speaks... four languages.
2 In Britain the banks usually ...................................... at 9.30 in the morning.
3 The City Museum ...................................... at 5 oclock in the evening.
4 Tina is a teacher. She ...................................... mathematics to young children.
5 My job is very interesting. I...................................... a lot of people.
6 Peter...................................... his hair twice a week.
7 Food is expensive. It...................................... a lot of money.
8 Shoes are expensive. They ...................................... a lot of money.
9 Water...................................... at 100 degrees Celsius.
10 Julia and I are good friends. I.......................... her and she .......................me.
3. Write sentences from these words. Put the verb in the right form (arrive or
arrives, etc.).
1 (always / early / Sue / arrive) ...Sue always arrives early...
2 (basketball / I / play / often) I ............................................................................
3 (work / Margaret / hard / usually) ......................................................................
4 (Jenny / always / nice clothes / wear) .................................................................
5 (dinner / we / have / always / at 7.30) ................................................................
6 (television / Tim / watch / never) .......................................................................
7 (like / chocolate / children / usually) .................................................................
8 (Julia / parties / enjoy / always) .........................................................................
4. Write sentences about yourself. Use always/never/often/sometimes/usually.
1 (watch television) ... I never watch television./ I usually watch television in the
evening....
2 (read in bed) I .................................................................................................
3 (get up before 7 oclock) .................................................................................
4 (go to work/school by bus) ............................................................................
5 (drink coffee) .................................................................................................
5. Write the negative.
1 I play the piano very well. ... I dont play the piano very well...

2 Jane plays the piano very well. Jane ...............................................................

3 They know my phone number. ........................................................................
4 We work very hard. ...........................................................................................
5 He has a bath every day. ..................................................................................
6 You do the same thing every day. .....................................................................
6. Write about yourself. Use: I never... or I often ... or I dont... very often.
1 (watch TV) ...I dont watch TV very often...
2 (go to the theatre) ...............................................................................................
3 (ride a bicycle) ..................................................................................................
4 (eat in restaurants) ..............................................................................................
5 (travel by train) .................................................................................................
7. Complete the sentences. All of them are negative. Use dont/doesnt + one of these
verbs:
cost go know read see use wear
1 I buy a newspaper every day but sometimes I ...dont read... it.
2 Paul has a car but he .............................................................. it very often.
3 They like films but they ......................................... to the cinema very often.
4 Amanda is married but she .............................................................. a ring.
5 I................................................. much about politics. Im not interested in it.
6 Its not an expensive hotel. It............................................... much to stay there.
7 Brian lives near us but we ...................................................... him very often.
8. Put the verb into the correct form, positive or negative.
1 Margaret ...speaks... four languages - English, French, German and Spanish. (speak)
2 I ... dont like... my job. Its very boring. (like)
3 Wheres Martin? Im sorry. I............................................................ (know)
4 Sue is a very quiet person. She ............................................ very much. (talk)
5 Jim.................................................. a lot of tea. Its his favourite drink. (drink)
6 Its not true! I.............................................................. it! (believe)
7 Thats a very beautiful picture. I......................................... it very much. (like)
8 Mark is a vegetarian. He .............................................................. meat. (eat)
9. Write questions with Do...? and Does...?
1 I like chocolate. And you? ....Do you like chocolate?..
2 I play tennis. And you? ............... you .................................
3 Tom plays tennis. And Ann? ........... Ann ...................................
4 You live near here. And your friends? .......................................................
5 You speak English. And your brother? .......................................................
6 I do exercises every morning. And you? ......................................................
7 Sue often goes away. And Paul? .......................................................
8 I want to be famous. And you? ........................................................
9 You work hard. And Linda? ........................................................
10. Write questions. Use the words in brackets (...)+ do/does. Put the words in the
right order.
1 (where /live/ your parents?) ...Where do your parents live?...
2 (you / early / always / get up?) ...Do you always get up early?...
3 (how often / TV / you / watch?) .......................................................................

4 (you / want / what / for dinner?) ......................................................................

5 (like / you / football?) ......................................................................................
6 (your brother / like / football?) .........................................................................
7 (what / you /do/ in the evenings?) .....................................................................
8 (your sister / work / where?) ...........................................................................
9 (to the cinema / often / you / go?) ....................................................................
10 (what / mean / this word?) ............................................................................
11 (often / snow / it / here?) ................................................................................
12 (go / usually / to bed / what time / you?) .......................................................
13 (how much / to phone New York / it / cost?) ..................................................
14 (you / for breakfast / have / usually / what?) ...................................................
11. Write short answers (Yes, he does. / No, I dont, etc.).
1 Do you watch TV a lot? ....No, I dont... or ...Yes, I do...
2 Do you live in a big city? ...............................................................................
3 Do you often ride a bicycle? ............................................................................
4 Does it rain a lot where you live? .....................................................................
5 Do you play the piano? ......................................................................................
12. Read the following in the third person singular. Do not change the object if it is
plural. Note that after certain consonants a final es is pronounced as a separate
syllable.
1 They wish to speak to you. (He)
2 Buses pass my house every hour.
3 They help their father. (He)
4 We change planes at Heathrow.
5 You watch too much TV. (He)
6 They worry too much. (He)
7 I cash a cheque every month. (He)
8 I always carry an umbrella. (She)
9 They wash the floor every week. (She)
10 His sons go to the local school.
11 These hens lay brown eggs.
12 Rubber balls bounce.
13 These figures astonish me.
14 Do you like boiled eggs? (he)
15 These seats cost 10.
16 They fish in the lake. (He)
17 Elephants never forget.
18 They usually catch the 8.10 bus.
19 They sometimes miss the bus.
20 I mix the ingredients together.
21 The rivers freeze in winter.
22 They fly from London to Edinburgh.
23 The carpets match the curtains.
24 They realize the danger.
25 I use a computer.

26 What do they do on their days off?

They do nothing. They lie in bed all day.
27 The boys hurry home after school.
28 They push the door open.
29 They kiss their mother.
30 They box in the gymnasium.
13. Read the following (a) in the negative (b) in the interrogative.
1 You know the answer.
2 He has breakfast at 8.00.
3 He loves her.
4 Some schoolgirls wear uniforms.
5 He trusts you.
6 He tries hard.
7 The park closes at dusk.
8 He misses his mother.
9 The children like sweets.
10 He finishes work at 6.00.
11 He lives beside the sea.
12 He bullies his sisters.
13 This stove heats the water.
14 She has a cooked breakfast.
15 She carries a sleeping bag.
16 He usually believes you.
17 She dances in competitions.
18 You remember the address.
19 She plays chess very well.
20 He worries about her.
21 These thieves work at night.
22 He leaves home at 8.00 every day.
23 Ann arranges everything.
24 She agrees with you.
25 Their dogs bark all night.
26 Their neighbours often complain.
27 Tom enjoys driving at night.
28 He engages new staff every Spring.
29 Tom looks very well.
30 They sell fresh grape juice here.
14. a) Give the third person forms of the verbs in these sentences.
b) Show whether you would pronounce the third person form as /s/, /z/ or /iz/.
1 I often drop things. She ....................................
2 We drink a lot of tea. She....................................
3 I often forget things. She.................................
4 We often lose things. He.................................
5 They manage all right. She.................................
6 I often pass your house. He......................................
7 I rush around a lot. She ..................................

8 I always saw the wood. She .......................................

9 I wear old clothes at home. He .
10 I love sweets. She ......................................
11 I often see them. He ........................................
12 They pay 30 a week rent. He.
13 I cry at sad films. She ....................................
15. Give the correct form of the simple present of each verb.
1 Water .............. at 100C. (boil)
2 Hot air ............................(rise)
3 My uncle ........................... in a factory. (work)
4 John and Sue ....................... glasses. (wear)
5 The children .............a lot of sweets. (eat)
6 He only at weekends. (work)
7 I always .out on Saturdays. (go)
8. She ... to London once a week. (drive)
9 She never ......................up very early. (get)
10 I occasionally ...........................meat. (eat)
11 The coach .................................at 6 this evening. (leave)
12 The concert ............................at 7 next Friday. (start)
13 I ................................ Barcelona won again. (see)
14 Its not right, you ..................(know) I ......................(agree)
15 Can he manage? I ......................... so. (hope)
16 It .........................in the paper itll be hot. (say)
16. Complete the sentences using one of the following:
cause(s) close(s) drink(s) live(s) open(s) speak(s) take(s) place
1 Ann ...speaks.... German very well.
2 I never ................................ coffee.
3 The swimming pool........................ at 9 oclock and .......................... at 18.30 every
day.
4 Bad driving ........................... many accidents.
5 My parents ................................ in a very small flat.
6 The Olympic Games ................................ every four years.
17. Put the verb into the correct form.
1 Jane doesnt drink... (not/drink) tea very often.
2 What time .......................................................... (the banks / close) in Britain?
3 Where .................................................... (Martin/come) from? Hes Scottish.
4 What...................................................... (you/do)? Im an electrical engineer.
5 It............................................................................ (take) me an hour to get to work. How
long ................................................................... (it/take) you?
6 I............................. (play) the piano but I .......................... (not/play) very well.
7 I dont understand this sentence. What.................................................... (this
word/mean)?
18. Use one of the following verbs to complete these sentences. Sometimes you need
the negative:
believe eat flow go grow make rise tell translate
1 The sun ...goes round the earth. 7 An interpreter ..................... from

2 Rice ...doesnt grow... in Britain. one language into another.

3 The sun ....................... in the east. 8 A liar is someone who ................
4 Bees .................................. honey. the truth.
5 Vegetarians .......................... meat. 9 The River Amazon ................. into
6 An atheist.......................... in God. the Atlantic Ocean.
19. Ask Liz questions about herself and her family.
1 You know that Liz plays tennis. You want to know how often. Ask her. How often ....do
you play tenis ?...
2 Perhaps Lizs sister plays tennis too. You want to know. Ask Liz.
................................ your sister.............................................................................
3 You know that Liz reads a newspaper every day. You want to know which one. Ask her.
..
4 You know that Lizs brother works. You want to know what he does. Ask Liz.

5 You know that Liz goes to the cinema a lot. You want to know how often. Ask her.

6 You dont know where Lizs mother lives. Ask Liz.

20. Complete using one of the following:

I apologise I insist I promise I recommend I suggest
1 Its a nice day. ...I suggest... we go out for a walk.
2 I wont tell anybody what you said. ...............................................................
3 (in a restaurant) You must let me pay for the meal. .....................................
4 ................................ for what I said about you. It wasnt true and I shouldnt have said
it.
5 The new restaurant in Hill Street is very good. .......................................... it.

The Present Continuous Tense

Explanatory Notes
The Present Continuous (Progressive) Tense indicates continuing action,
something going on now. This tense is formed with the helping to be verb, in the present
tense, plus the present participle of the verb (with an -ing ending):
I am buying all my familys Christmas gifts early this year.
She is working through the holiday break.
Affirmative
I am working We are working
You are working You are working
He/she/it is working They are working
Negative
I am not working
You are not (arent) working
He/she/it is not (isnt) working
We are not (arent) working
You are not (arent) working
They are not (arent) working
Interrogative
Am I working? Are we working?
Are you working? Are you working?
Is he/she/it working? Are they working?
The present continuous can suggest that an action is going to happen in the future,
especially with verbs that convey the idea of a plan or of movement from one place or
condition to another:
The team is arriving in two hours.
Hes moving to Portland this summer.
Because the present progressive can suggest either the present or the future, it is
usually modified by adverbs of time.
State verbs describe a continuing state, so do not usually have a continuous form.
Typical examples are:
believe, belong, consist, contain, doubt, fit, have, know, like, love, matter, mean, own,
prefer, understand, seem, suppose, suspect, want, wish.
Some verbs have a stative meaning and a different active meaning. Typical
examples are: be, depend, feel, have, measure, see, taste, think, weigh.
Compare these uses:
State Event
Jack is noisy. Jill is being noisy.
Mark has a Porsche. We are having an interesting conversation.
I think I like you! David is thinking about getting a new job.
This fish tastes awful! I am just tasting the soup.
I feel that you are wrong. I am feeling terrible.
This bag weighs a ton. We are weighing the baby.
It depends what you mean. I am depending on you.
Other uses of present continuous tense

a. Temporary or repeated actions

This use emphasises a temporary or repeated habitual action.
My car has broken down, so I am walking to work these days.
Are you enjoying your stay here?
b. Complaints about bad habits
You are always complaining about my cooking!
Other possible adverbs are: constantly, continually, forever
c. With verbs describing change and development
Things are getting worse.
More and more people are giving up smoking.
Exercises
1. Use these verbs to complete the sentences:
eat have lie play sit wait
1 She ...s eating... an apple.
2 He ....................................... for a bus.
3 They ........................................ football.
4 He .................................... on the floor.
5 They .................................... breakfast.
6 She ..................................... on the table.
2. Complete the sentences. Use one of these verbs:
build cook go have stand stay swim work
1 Please be quiet. I m working...
2 Wheres John? Hes in the kitchen. He ........................................................
3 You ........................................................ on my foot. Oh, Im sorry.
4 Look! Somebody ...................................................... in the river.
5 Were here on holiday. We ............................................... at the Central Hotel.
6 Wheres Ann? She .............................................................. a shower.
7 They........................................ a new theatre in the city centre at the moment.
8 I ........................................................ now. Goodbye.
3. Whats happening at the moment? Write true sentences.
1 (I / wash / my hair) ...Im not washing my hair...
2 (it / snow) ....Its snowing, or It isnt snowing...
3 (I / sit / on a chair) .........................................................................................
4 (I/eat) .............................................................................................................
5 (it/rain) .............................................................................................................
6 (I / learn / English) ..........................................................................................
7 (I / listen / to music) .......................................................................................
8 (the sun / shine) ..............................................................................................
9 (I / wear / shoes) .............................................................................................
10 (I / read / a newspaper) ................................................................................
4. Write questions from these words. Use is or are and put the words in order.
1 (working / Paul / today?) ...Is Paul working today? ...
2 (what / doing / the children?) ...What are the children doing?...
3 (you / listening / to me?) .................................................................................

4 (where / going / your friends?) ........................................................................

5 (your parents / television / watching?) ..............................................................
6 (what / cooking / Ann?) ....................................................................................
7 (why / you / looking / at me?) ...........................................................................
8 (coming / the bus?) ...........................................................................................
5. Write short answers (Yes, I am. / No, he isnt, etc.)
1 Are you watching TV? No, Im not.
2 Are you wearing a watch? .........................................
3 Are you eating something? .......................................
4 Is it raining? ......................................
5 Are you sitting on the floor? ......................................
6 Are you feeling well? ............................................
6. Put the verbs in brackets into the present continuous tense.
1 She (not work), she (swim) in the river.
2 He (teach) his boy to ride.
3 Why Ann (not wear) her new dress?
4 The aeroplane (fly) at 2,000 metres.
5 What Tom (do) now? He (clean) his shoes.
6 This fire (go) out. Somebody (bring) more coal?
7 It (rain)?-Yes, it (rain) very hard. You cant go out yet.
8 Why you (mend) that old shirt?
9 You (not tell) the truth.
How do you know that I (not tell) the truth?
10 Who (move) the furniture about upstairs?
Its Tom. He (paint) the front bedroom.
11 Mrs Jones (sweep) the steps outside her house.
12 What you (read) now? I (read) Crime and Punishment.
13 It is a lovely day. The sun (shine) and the birds (sing).
14 Someone (knock) at the door. Shall I answer it?
I (come) in a minute. I just (wash) my hands.
15 She always (ring) up and (ask) questions.
16 Why you (make) a cake? Someone (come) to tea?
17 Where is Tom? He (lie) under the car.
18 Can I borrow your pen or you (use) it at the moment?
19 You (do) anything this evening?
No, Im not.
Well, I (go) to the cinema. Would you like to come with me?
20 We (have) breakfast at 8.00 tomorrow as Tom (catch) an early train.
21 Ann usually does the shopping, but I (do) it today as she isnt well.
22 Why you (type) so fast? You (make) a lot of mistakes.
23 Mother (rest) now. She always rests after lunch.
24 They (dig) an enormous hole just outside my gate.
What they (do) that for?
I dont know. Perhaps they (look) for oil.
25 What (make) that terrible noise?
Its the pneumatic drill. They (repair) the road

26 The children are very quiet. Go and see what they (do).
They (cut) up some 5 notes.
27 What you (wait) for?
I (wait) for my change; the boy just (get) it.
28 I cant hear what you (say); the traffic (make) too much noise.
29 She always (lose) her glasses and (ask) me to look for them.
7. Put the verbs in brackets into the present continuous tense.
1 Mother: What you (look) at? Something (happen) in the street?
2 Child: Yes. The house opposite is on fire! Come and look.
Mother: I cant. I (bath) the babies. Is the Fire Brigade here?
3 Child: Yes. Fire engines (rush) up and the firemen (jump) out and (unroll) their hoses.
4 Smoke (pour) from the windows! People (stop) to watch.
A policeman (try) to move them on.
5 An old man (climb) out of a first floor window!
A fireman (help) him! Two boys (slide) down a rope!
6 A woman (wave) from the attic and a fireman (go) up a ladder to help her!
7 Now he (come) down again! He (carry) a baby! The crowd (cheer!)
8. Add -ing to the verbs in these sentences.
1 Im making the beds. (make)
2 Im a sandwich. (eat)
3 Im ..a letter. (write)
4 Im always things. (forgetting)
5 Im .. on my coat. (put)
6 Im abroad. (travel)
7 Im .the 9.04. (catch)
8 Im .of thirst. (die)
9 Im your case. (carry)
9. Use the present continuous tense in the sentences below.
1 Dont rush me. Im working (1)............................ as fast as I can. (I/work)
2 What......................................................................? It looks awful, (you/drink)
3 ........................................................................... to see the boss. (She/still wait)
4 ............................................................................. to catch his train. (He/hurry)
5 ............................................... arent you? Calm down! (You/constantly/panic)
6 ................................................... more and more politically aware these days. (Young
people/become)
7 What.......................... nowadays? (John/do) -.......................... for the British cycle team.
(He/ride)
8 ........................................................... our holiday here very much. (We/enjoy)
9 ................................................................. people by asking personal questions.
(He/always/upset)
10 What time .................................................................. tomorrow? (he/arrive)
11 ..................................................................................... to lock the front door.
(She/forever/forget)
12 ....................................... treatment on my bad back for a few weeks. (I/have)
13 You cant believe a word he says. .......................................... (He/always/lie)
14 .........the 1,500 metres in the next Olympics. (She/run)

10. Finish Bs sentences. Use always ing.

1 A: Im afraid Ive lost my key again.
B: Not again! ...Youre always losing your key
A: The car has broken down again.
B: That car is useless! It......................................................................................
3 A: Look! Youve made the same mistake again.
B: Oh no, not again! I.........................................................................................
4 A: Oh, Ive left the lights on again.
B: Typical! You..................................................................................................
11. Complete the sentences with one of the following verbs in the correct form:
come get happen look make start stay try work
1 You ...re working... hard today. Yes, I have a lot to do.
2 I................................................... for Christine. Do you know where she is?
3 It................................................... dark. Shall I turn on the light?
4 They havent got anywhere to live at the moment. They .................................. with
friends until they find somewhere.
5 Are you ready, Ann? Yes, I....................................................
6 Have you got an umbrella? It................................................... to rain.
7 You ................................ a lot of noise. Could you be quieter? I........................ to
concentrate.
8 Why are all these people here? What...................................................?
12. Use the words in brackets to complete the questions.
1 Is Colin working... this week? No, hes on holiday. (Colin/work)
2 Why .......................................... at me like that? Whats the matter? (you/look)
3 Jenny is a student at university. Is she? What.............................? (she/study)
4 ................................................ to the radio or can I turn it off? (anybody/listen)
5 How is your English?................................................... better? (it/get)
13. Put the verb into the correct form. Sometimes you need the negative (Im not
doing, etc.).
1 Im tired. I ...m going ... (go) to bed now. Goodnight!
2 We can go out now. It ...isnt raining... (rain) any more.
3 How is your new job? Not so good at the moment. I .................................... (enjoy) it
very much.
4 Catherine phoned me last night. Shes on holiday in France. She ....................... (have) a
great time and doesnt want to come back.
5 I want to lose weight, so this week I........................................... (eat) lunch.
6 Angela has just started evening classes. She ............................ (learn) German.
7 I think Paul and Ann have had an argument. They ..................... (speak) to each other.
14. Read this conversation between Brian and Sarah. Put the verbs into the correct
form.
Sarah: Brian! How nice to see you! What (l)................................................... (you/do)
these days?
Brian: I (2)................................................... (train) to be a supermarket manager.
Sarah: Really? Whats it like? (3)................................................... (you/enjoy) it?
Brian: Its all right. What about you?

Sarah: Well, actually I (4)................................................... (not/work) at the moment. I (5)

............................................ (try) to find a job but its not easy.
But Im very busy. I (6)................................................... (decorate) my flat.
Brian: (7)................................................... (you/do) it alone?
Sarah: No, some friends of mine (8)................................................... (help) me.
15. Complete the sentences using one of these verbs:
get change rise fall increase
You dont have to use all the verbs and you can use a verb more than once.
1 The population of the world ....is rising... very fast.
2 Ken is still ill but he ................................................... better slowly.
3 The world .................................................... Things never stay the same.
4 The cost of living .................................................... Every year things are more
expensive.
5 The economic situation is already very bad and it.................................... worse.
Revision Exercises
The Present Simple and The Present Continuous Tenses
1. Put the verb in the present continuous (I am doing) or the present simple (I do).
1 Excuse me. Do you speak (you/speak) English?
2 Wheres Tom? ...Hes having... (he/have) a shower.
3 I dont watch... (I/not/watch) television very often.
4 Listen! Somebody ................................................................... (sing).
5 Sandra is tired. .................................................. (she/want) to go home now.
6 How often ................................................................... (you/read) a newspaper?
7 Excuse me but.................................... (you/sit) in my place. Oh, Im sorry.
8 Im sorry,................................ (I/not/understand). Can you speak more slowly?
9 Its late. ................................................................... (I/go) home now. .............
. (you/come) with me?
10 What time ......................................................... (your father / finish) work in the
evenings?
11 You can turn off the radio. ............................................. (I/not/listen) to it.
12 Wheres Paul? In the kitchen. .................................................... (he/cook)
something.
13 Martin ................................................................ (not/usually/drive) to work.
He ..................................................... (usually/walk).
14 Sue ............................................................ (not/like) coffee. .........................
.(she/prefer) tea.
2. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct present tense.
1 Ann sees Paul putting on his coat and says: Where you (go), Paul?
Paul: I (go) to buy some cigarettes. You (want) an evening paper?
Ann: No, thanks. You are always buying cigarettes, Paul. How many you (smoke) a day ?
Paul: I (not smoke) very manyperhaps 20. Jack (smoke) far more than I (do). He
(spend) 10 a week on cigarettes.
3 Mary (see) Peter standing at the bus stop.
Mary: Hello, Peter. What bus you (wait) for?
Peter: Hello, Mary. I (wait) for a 9 or a 14.

4 Mary: You usually (go) to work by car, dont you?

Peter: Yes, but the car (belong) to my mother and she sometimes (want) it. She (use) it
today to take Tom to the dentist.
5 Mary: I usually (go) by car too. Jack (take) me because he (pass) my office on his way
to the factory. But this week he (work) in a factory in the opposite direction: so I (queue)
like you.
6 Peter: Heres a 9 now. You (come) on it or you (wait) for a 14?
Mary: I (think) Ill take the 9. If I (wait) for a 14 I may be late, and if you (be) late at my
office everyone (look) at you.
7 Mary and Ann (wait) outside a telephone box. Inside the box a boy (dial) a number.
Mary: You (know) that boy?
Ann: Yes, hes a friend of my brothers. He (phone) his girl friend every day from this
box.
8 Mary: Where he (come) from?
Ann: He (come) from Japan. Hes a very clever boy; he (speak) four languages. 9 Mary: I
(wonder) what he (speak) now.
Ann: Well, his girl friend (come) from Japan too; so I (suppose) he (speak) Japanese. 10
It is 8.30.
10 Tom and Ann (have) breakfast. They both (open) their letters.
Tom: No one ever (write) to me. All I (get) is bills! You (have) anything interesting?
3. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct present tense.
1 Peter: You (have) traffic wardens in your country?
Pedro: No, I (not think) so. You (not see) them in my town anyway What exactly a traffic
warden (do)? |
2 Peter: He (walk) up and down the street and if a car (stay) too long at a parking place or
(park) in a no-parking area he (stick) a parking ticket to the windscreen.
3 Look! He (put) a ticket on Toms car. Tom will be furious when he (see) it. He (hate)
getting parking tickets.
4 Customer: I (want) to buy a fur coat. Have you any nice coats for about 500?
Assistant: Im afraid we just (close), madam. Its 4.55, and we always (close) at 5.00
sharp on Fridays as Mr Jones the manager (not want) to miss his favourite television
programme.
5 It is Friday evening and the Brown family are at home. Mrs Brown (listen) to a concert
on the radio; Mr Brown (read) a paper, George Brown (do) his homework and Ann
Brown (write) a letter.
6 Mr Brown always (read) his newspapers in the evenings. Mrs Brown sometimes (knit)
but she (not knit) tonight.
7 Mr Black often (go) to the theatre but his wife (not go) very often. He (like) all sorts of
plays. She (prefer) comedies.
8 Tonight they (watch) a very modern comedy. They (enjoy) it, but they (not understand)
some of the jokes.
9 What (happen) in your class? The teacher (give) lectures every day?
No. He (give) one lecture a week, and on the other days he (show) films or (discuss)
books with us.
10 A bus conductor (get) more exercise than a bus driver. The driver just (sit) in his cab
but the conductor (stand) and (walk) about and (run) up and down the stairs.

11 Why that man (stand) in the middle of the road?

He (try) to get across. He (wait) for a gap in the traffic.
Why he (not use) the subway?
Lots of people (not bother) to use the subway. They (prefer) to risk their lives crossing
here.
12 You (wear) a new coat, arent you?
Yes. You (like) it?
The colour (suit) you but it (not fit) you very well. Its much too big.
13 All the guides here (speak) at least three foreign languages, because a lot of foreign
visitors (come) every summer.
14 Paul (take) a party of French tourists round now and tomorrow an American party
(come).
15 Englishmen very seldom (talk) on the Underground. They (prefer) read their
newspapers.
Those two men in the corner (talk).
But they (not talk) English.
16 Jones and Co. (have) a sale at the moment. Shall we look in on our way home?
Id love to but Im afraid I wont have time. I (meet) Tom at 5.30.
You (go) out with Tom often?
4. Put the verbs in brackets into the simple present or the present continuous tense.
1 Cuckoos (not build) nests. They (use) the nests of other birds.
2 You cant see Tom now: he (have) a bath.
3 He usually (drink) coffee but today he (drink) tea.
4 What she (do) in the evenings?
She usually (play) cards or (watch) TV.
5 I wont go out now as it (rain) and I (not have) an umbrella.
6 The last train (leave) the station at 11.30.
7 He usually (speak) so quickly that I (not understand) him.
8 Ann (make) a dress for herself at the moment. She (make) all her own clothes.
9 Hardly anyone (wear) a hat nowadays.
10 Im afraid Ive broken one of your coffee cups.
Dont worry. I (not like) that set anyway.
11 I (wear) my sunglasses today because the sun is very strong.
12 Tom cant have the newspaper now because his aunt (read) it.
13 Im busy at the moment. I (redecorate) the sitting room.
14 The kettle (boil) now. Shall I make the tea?
15 You (enjoy) yourself or would you like to leave now?
I (enjoy) myself very much. I (want) to stay to the end.
16 How you (get) to work as a rule?
I usually (go) by bus but tomorrow I (go) in Toms car.
5. Are the underlined verbs right or wrong? Correct the verbs that are wrong.
1 Water boils at 100 degrees celsius. ...RIGHT...
2 The water boils. Can you turn it off? ...WRONG is boiling..
3 Look! That man tries to open the door of your car. ..................................
4 Can you hear those people? What do they talk about? ..................................
5 The moon goes round the earth. ..................................

6 I must go now. It gets late. ..................................

7 I usually go to work by car. .................................
8 Hurry up! Its time to leave. OK, I come. .................................
9 I hear youve got a new job. How do you get on? .................................
6. Put the verb in the correct form, present continuous or present simple.
1 Lets go out. It ...isnt raining... (not/rain) now.
2 Julia is very good at languages. She ...speaks... (speak) four languages very well.
3 Hurry up! Everybody ................................................... (wait) for you.
4 ................................................... (you/listen) to the radio? No, you can turn it off.
5 ................................................... (you/listen) to the radio every day? No, just
occasionally.
6 The River Nile ................................................... (flow) into the Mediterranean.
7 Look at the river. It................................................... (flow) very fast today - much faster
than usual.
8 We usually ................................................... (grow) vegetables in our garden but this
year we ................................................... (not/grow) any.
9 How is your English? Not bad. It................................................... (improve) slowly.
10 Ron is in London at the moment. He ................................................... (stay) at the Park
Hotel. He ............................................ (always/stay) there when hes in London.
11 Can we stop walking soon? I........................................ (start) to feel tired.
12 Can you drive? I.............................................. (learn). My father ............... (teach)
me.
13 Normally I................................................... (finish) work at 5.00, but this week
I ................................ (work) until 6.00 to earn a bit more money.
14 My parents ................................................... (live) in Bristol. They were born there and
have never lived anywhere else. Where ......................................... (your parents/live)?
15 Sonia ............................... (look) for a place to live. She .................................
(stay) with her sister until she finds somewhere.
16 What................................................... (your father/do)? Hes an architect but
he ................................................... (not/work) at the moment.
17 (at a party) Usually I............................................ (enjoy) parties but
I ............................................ (not/enjoy) this one very much.
18 The train is never late. It................................................... (always/leave) on time.
19 Jim is very untidy. He ................................................... (always/leave) his things all
over the place.
7. Are the underlined verbs right or wrong? Correct the ones that are wrong.
1 Im seeing the manager tomorrow morning. ...RIGHT
2 Im feeling hungry. Is there anything to eat? ...........................................
3 Are you believing in God? ...........................................
4 This sauce is great. Its tasting really good. ...........................................
5 Im thinking this is your key. Am I right? ............................................
8. Put the verb into the correct form, present continuous or present simple.
1 Are you hungry? ...Do you want... something to eat? (you/want)
2 Jill is interested in politics but she ................................... to a political party.
(not/belong)

3 Dont put the dictionary away. I................................................... it. (use)

4 Dont put the dictionary away. I................................................... it. (need)
5 Who is that man? What...................................................? (he/want)
6 Who is that man? Why ................................................... at us? (he/look)
7 George says hes 80 years old but nobody .................................. him. (believe)
8 She told me her name but I............................................. it now. (not/remember)
9 I.................................................. of selling my car. (think) Would you be interested in
buying it?
10 I................................................ you should sell your car. (think)
You ................................................. it very often. (not/use)
11 I used to drink a lot of coffee but these days I .............................. tea. (prefer)
12 Air ................................................... mainly of nitrogen and oxygen. (consist)
9. Complete the sentences using the most suitable form of be. Sometimes you must
use the simple (am/is/are) and sometimes the continuous is more suitable (am/is/are
being).
1 I cant understand why ...hes being... so selfish. He isnt usually like that.
2 Jack .......................................... very nice to me at the moment. I wonder why.
3 Youll like Jill when you meet her. She ............................................. very nice.
4 Normally you are very sensible, so why ....................................... so silly about this
matter?
5 Why isnt Sarah at work today? ................................................. ill?
10. Put in the simple present or the present continuous tenses.
CHOMP CHAMP!
1
( you sit) Are you sitting comfortably? Good! I 2(hope)......................... you
3
(study) ................................... this text carefully because I 4(have) ...................... news for
you. The Guinness Book of Records 5(not include)................................. records for eating
any more. People who 6(try) ................................... to swallow 47 hard boiled eggs in half
a minute will have to do it for pleasure and not to get into the record book. We
7
(regard)................................... these records as
unhealthy, said the books editor, Mr Donald McFarlan. However, one record-holder will
remain. He is Michel Lotito of Grenoble (Monsieur Mangetout). Since 1966, he has
chomped his way through 10 bicycles, 7 TV sets and a light aircraft. Hes likely to remain
world champ, unless you 8(want) .......................... to challenge him, of course!
11. Put in the simple present or present continuous. Note where both forms are
possible.
A HOLIDAY JOB WITH A DIFFERENCE!
I (study)1 am studying English at Exeter University. Im on holiday at
the moment and I (work)2............................. in a public library. Im lucky to
have this job. I (not have to)3............................. get up early. The library (open)4
............................. at 10 and (close)5............................. at 7. Its interesting work because
people (always come in)6............................. and (ask)7................ me to help them, so I
(learn)8............................. a lot about different subjects. I (enjoy) 9 ......................... the job
and (find)10 ............................. it very amusing, too. People (use)11............................. the
strangest things as bookmarks. I have found a rasher of bacon (uncooked!). Matchsticks
(be)12.................. common and so (be) 13....................... bus tickets. My colleagues (always

find)14 ............... things too - even a 10 note, but I havent been so lucky! I
often (think)15 ............................. of the photo of a beautiful woman which I found. On the
back were the words: I (love)16............................. you. I (miss)17 ............. you and Ill
never forget you.
12. Put the verbs in brackets into the simple or continuous present.
1 My friend (come) to see us next month.
2 Apricots (ripe) in early summer.
3 Here (come) our long waited for teacher!
4 I (see) her occasionally, as she (open) the windows in the morning.
5 I (walk) to school every day, but today as I am late (go) bus.
6 I (see) that you (wear) your best clothes. You (go) to a party?
No, I go to a wedding.
And who is the unhappy man who (throw) away his freedom? You must tell him I (feel)
sorry for him.
He (speak), to you now! (from Stannard Allen).
7 I (see) what you (mean)! You cant join us today as you (feel) ill. (See) the doctor this
afternoon?
8 Still waters (run) deep.
9 Stop making a fool of yourself! You again (forget) your manners!
10 Egg plants (not grow) on trees.
11 Dont get off the bus till it (stop)!
12 How he (feel) now? You (think) of going to see him at the hospital?
13 She always (complain) about something.
14 Why you (not stay) indoors for a change?
15 Although he is unhappy with his mark, he (deserve) it as he hasnt laid hands on a
book this term.
16 We constantly (see) you outside the cinema.
17 However late it may be, my father never goes to bed until I (come) back home.
13. Complete the sentences, using the present simple or the continuous tense.
1 He always .chocolate after lunch. (eat)
2 I cant come. I .. my mother. (help)
3 They hard enough at present. (not / study)
4 They often .. coffee in the evenings. (drink)
5 Clara occasionally . to the theatre. (go)
6 Yukiko .. a bath now. (have)
7 We . a cake at the moment. (make)
8 I never . cigarettes. (smoke)
9 She her hair twice a week. (wash)
10 Lisa her sisters car today. (drive)
11 The Amazon into the Atlantic. (flow)
12 Many birds ... south for the winter. (fly)
14. Write full sentences using the information given.
Example: You / enjoy / the party? Are you enjoying the party?
1 You/speak/Greek?
2 Bill / know / Mr Jameson?
3 We / not live / in a large house.

4 Alexander / not go / to the beach very often.

5 I / have to / attend the ceremony?
6 Jane / watch / television at the moment?
7 Costas / not work / in a bank.
8 The children / not listen / to their mother now.
9 Theo / live / in New York?
10 William / study / at the moment?
11 Where / you / usually spend / your holidays?
12 I / not earn much money at present.
15. Complete the sentences, using the correct present tense of the verbs in brackets.
1 A famous actress . in a play at the local theatre. (appear)
2 Im sure she . tea to coffee. (prefer)
3 His story to be true. (appear)
4 George of visiting Turkey this summer. (think)
5 Rupert says the book to him. (belong)
6 The director that would be a mistake. (believe)
7 Louisa .. having supper late. (hate)
8 This pasta simply delicious. (taste)
9 There ..to be something wrong with the photocopier. (seem)
10 Now I .. what the teacher. . (understand, mean)
11 Youd better not drink that milk. It bad. (smell)
12 Frank ........... me a lot of money! (owe)
16. Complete the sentences, using the correct present tense of the verbs in brackets.
1 He usually ..very hard, but he .. at all today because
its a holiday. (work, not / work)
2 Look! That man out of the bank! And he . a large
bag full of money! (run, carry)
3 I dont mind babysitting for you. Your baby never. (cry)
4 Every time he a photo, his hand., and his photos
never good. (take, shake, look)
5 Can you come out for a drink with us later? Sorry, I Liza
with her work, and itll take us hours to finish it. (help)
6 She usually...a BMW, but today she her husbands
Volvo. (drive)
7 Where do you live? Normally I in Paris with my parents,
but at the moment I .. in London, so I with an
English family. (live, study, live)
8 I know you . because you .out of the window!
(not / listen, look)
9 Julia . five languages fluently, and at the moment she
as a translator. (speak, work)
10 I .. three pullovers in winter because I always..
cold. (wear, feel)
11 Wood ..on water. (float)
12 Why .. you..? Because nobody ... me,
thats why! (cry, love)