Present simple

The Simple Present Tense

Expresses a habit or often repeated action. Adverbs of frequency such as,
often, seldom, sometimes, never, etc. are used with this tense.

She goes to work everyday.

They always eat lunch together.
 The Simple Present Tense
This tense also expresses general truths or facts that are timeless.

Snow falls in December in Minnesota.

Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
 Present Simple: POSITIVE
• I get up at  6  o’clock  every  day.
• You have a shower every evening.
• We write a test once a month.
• They go to the shops twice a week.
• He plays hockey every afternoon.
• She watches TV every evening.
• It sleeps by day.
Present Simple Spelling 3rd person
• Words ending with Ch, sh, o, ss, x: add es
• Watches, washes, goes, misses, boxes

• Words ending in y preceded by a consonant:

• Change  to  “ies”      carry > carries
• Words ending in y preceded by a vowel:
• add  “s”        play > plays
 QASI Open questions
(Question word) Auxiliary Subject Infinitive
How often Do I, you, we, Go to the
Quanto spesso
they store?
Which sport
Quale sport

What
Does He, she, it Live?
cosa

Where / when Like?

Dove/ quando

Who chi
Why perchè
What kind of
music che tipo di
musica
 Examples
Question Auxiliary subject infinitive
word
What does it (the produce?
company)/
What does the company specialize in
products
How many does It Have?
employees
 ASI closed questions
Auxiliary subject infinitive
Do I,You, we, they Live in Parma?
Does He, she It Live in Reggio

Short answers
Yes, I do. No, I  don’t.
Yes , we do. No, we they don’t.
Yes, they do. No, they don’t.
Yes, you do. No, you don’t.
Yes, he does. No, he doesn’t.
Yes, she does. No, she doesn’t.
Yes, it does. No, it doesn’t.
 SANI Negatives
Subject auxiliary negative Infinitive
I Do Not Live in rome.
you Do
He/She/It Does
We Do
You (voi) Do
They do
 SANI Contractions
Subject Auxiliary negative infinitive

I, you, we, they don’t live in Rome

He she it doesn’t live in Rome

 The Present Progressive
This tense is used to describe an action that is occurring right now (at this
moment, today, this year, etc.). The action has begun and is still in
progress.

She is eating a burger.

He  can’t  talk.    He  is fixing the sink right now.
 The Present Progressive
The present progressive can also be used to describe an action that is
occurring in the present, but is temporary.

John is living in Modesto, but he might move soon.

 Present Continuous: POSITIVE
! now, at the moment !
• I am teaching.
• You are listening.
• We are studying.
• They are sitting.
• He is writing.
• She is dancing.
• It is swimming.
 Present Continuous: NEGATIVE

• I am not teaching.
• You aren’t listening.
• We aren’t studying.
• They aren’t sitting.
• He isn’t writing.
• She isn’t dancing.
• It isn’t swimming.
 QASing Open questions
(Question Auxiliary Subject Verb + ing
word)
What am I Doing?
Where Are You, we, Eating?
they
Why is He she it Going?
 Examples
Question Auxiliary Subject Verb + ing
word
What is it (the Producing this
company)/ week?
What is the company Making in this
products period?
What time Are The people coming?
 ASing Closed questions
Auxiliary Subject Verb + ing
Am I Making sense?

Are You, we, they Learning English?

is He, she, it Working on a project?

Short answers
Yes, I am No  I’m  not
Yes , we are. No, we aren’t
Yes, they are. No, they aren’t.
Yes, you are. No, you aren’t.
Yes, he is. No, he isn’t.
Yes, she is. No, she isn’t.
Yes, it is. No, it isn’t.
 Present simple/continuous
Spelling 3° person s Spelling p. continuous
• sit • sit
• Sits • Sitting
• Carry • Carry
• carries • carrying
• Play • Play
• Plays • Playing
• Lie • Lie
• Lies • Lying
• Ch, sh, ss, o, x, add es
 Meaning
PRESENT SIMPLE
• LONG TERM SITUATIONS
• I work in Reggio Emilia
• ROUTINES
• I usually go to the gym on
Mondays.
• STATE VERBS
• I Believe in God
• I want an ice cream
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
• TEMPORARY SITUATIONS
• I’m  working  in  Reggio  for  
two weeks.
• ACTIONS IN PROGRESS
• I’m  working  out  at  the  gym  
now.
• ACTION VERBS
• I’m  going  to  church.
• I’m    dying  of  hunger.
 State Verbs
• Some verbs are not
normally used in their
continuous form. They
describe states that stay the
same rather than actions or
events that change.
• MENTAL PROCESSES.
• believe, feel, remember, realize,
understand, know, suspect.
• I understand pres. Simple.
• EMOTIONAL STATES
• love, want, prefer, doubt,
• I want a dog.
• SENSES
• smell, hear, see, taste
• This wine tastes good
• POSSESSIONS
• Have, own, belong
• I have a Vespa
 exceptions

• I love going to the cinema • I smell something burning

• Feeling • Sense
• I'm loving it (Mc Donald's slogan
• My baby was smelling a
• Emphasis
flower
• I think you should see a doctor
• Opinion • Activity
• I'm thinking of changing my flat • I have a Vespa (possession)
• trying to reach a decision • I’m  having  a  party  next  
week. (activity)