lA

present simple and continuous, action and
non-action verbs
present simple: I live, he works, etc.
I I \vork in a bank. She studies Russian . l) 10 >))
\Ve do n 't have any pets. Jack doesn 't w ear glasses.
\Vhere d o you live:> Does your brother have a car?
2 She usually h a s cereal for breakfast.
I'm never late for \Vork.
\Ve only eat out about once a nlonth.
1 We use the present sin1ple for things that are ahvays true or
happen regularly.
• Re1nen1ber the spelling rules for third person singular, e.g.
lives, studies, ivatches.
• Use ASI (Auxiliary, Subject, Infinitive) or QUAS I
(Q uestion word, Auxiliary, Subject, Infinitive) to help you
vvith word order in questions. Do you knoiv David? What:
time does the filrn start?
2 \Ve often use the present si1nple \Vith adverbs of frequency,
e.g. usu.ally, nevet, or expressions of frequency, e.g. eve·1y day,
once a week.
• Adverbs of frequency go be.fore the main verb, and after be.
• Expressions of frequency usually go at the end of the
sentence or verb phrase.
present cont inuous: be+ verb+ -ing
A \V ho are you waiting for? lJ 11 >))
B I'm waiting for a fr iend.
A l s your sister still going ou t \virh Adam?
B N o, they broke up. She isn't going out \Vi th anyone at the
n1on1ent.
• \Ve use the present continuous (not the present s imple) for
actions in progress at the tin1e of speaking, e.g. things that
are happening now or around no\v. These are no rmally
temporary, not habitual actions.
• r~emember the spelling rules, e .g. livinB, Slu.dyina, Bettino.
• \Ve also use the present continuous for future arrange1nents
(see 1B).
action and non-action verbs
A \Vhat a r c you cooking:> (: 12 >))
B I'm 1naking pasta.
A Great! I love pas ta.
A What are you looking fo r?
B My car keys.
A I'll help you in a n1oment.
B But I need thcn1 nov.r!
• Verbs \Vhich describe actio n s, e.g. cook, niake, can be used
in the present s irnple or continuous. I'm makinB the lunch.
I usually niake the lunch at the iveekend.
• Verbs \vhich describe s t at es or feelings (not actions), e.g.
love, need, be, are 11on-action verbs. They are not usually
used in the present continuous, even if \Ve n1ean 'now'.
• Co1111non non-action verbs are a.Bree, be, believe, belon8,
depend,JorBet, hate, hear, know, like, love, rnatter, rnean, need,
p1·efet, realize, recoBn.ize, reme1nber, seern, suppose.
p Verbs than can be both action and non-action
A few verbs have an action and a non-action meaning,
e.g. have and think.
I have a cat now. = possession (non-action)
I can't talk now. I'm having lunch. = an action
I think this music's great. = opinion (non-action)
What are you thinking about?= an action

a Con1plete the sentences \ Vi th the present sirnple or b @ the correct forrn, present si1nple or continuous.
present continuous forn1s of the verbs in brackets. I don't believe I'rn not believinB that you cooked th is
We don't 80 to Chinese restaurants very often. (not go) meal yourself.
1 These days, nlost children too n1any fizzy 1 Come on, let's order. The \vaiter comes / is corning.
drinks. (have) 2 Kate doesn't ivant / isn't 1vantin8 to have dinne r no\v.
2 yo u _ _ _ _ anyvita1ninsatthe She isn't hungr y.
n1on1ent ? (take) 3 The head chef is i 11, so he doesn't 1.vork / isn't 1vorkin.g
3 Don't eat that spinach if you _ ___ it. (not like) today.
4 your boyfriend ho'v to cook 4 The bi 11 see1ns /is seerninB very high to n1e.
fish? (know) 5 \Ve've had an argun1ent, so we don't speak/
5 We _ _ __ takea\vay pizzas during the \veek. (no t get) aren't speaking to each other at the moment.
6 What you r nlother ? Tt s1nel ls 6 My mum thinks J is thinkina 111y diet is awful these days.
great! (n1ake) 7 Do ive need J Are ive needing to go shopping today?
7 You look sad. \Vhat _ ___ you _ _ __ 8 Can l call you back? I have / I'm having lunch right no,v.
abo ut? (thi nk) 9 1 didn't use to like oily fish, bur no'v I love/ l'1n lovinB it!
8 T he diet in 1ny country _ _ _ _ v.rorsc. (get) 10 \\t hat do y ou cook/ are you cookin.g? It sn1ells delicious!
9 Hov.1 often you seafood? (ear)
~ p.7
I 0 T_ _ _ _ usually _ _ __ fish. (not cook)