Present Simple

1. Verdades generales, situaciones que no cambian (general truths, permanente situations):

- Water boils at 100ºC.
- British people drink a lot of tea.

2. Acciones cotidianas (habitual actions):

- I go to Madrid every summer.
- Price of apples changes every day, but usually very little.

3. Horarios (timetables/schedules):
- The bus leaves at 12:30 p.m.
- I have English class with Mario at 5 p.m.

4. Instrucciones o direcciones (Instructions/directions):

- Cross the road, go through the door and follow corridor.

Markers
• Often • Every day, week, year,…

• Usually • From time to time

• Sometimes • When, after

• Never • Suddenly

• Always • Stative verbs

• Rarely

Stative Verbs
• Feelings emotions → like, love, admire, hate, dislike, detest…
• Thinking, believing → I think, I believe, I know, I understand…
• Wants and preferences → I want, I prefer, I need …
Present Continuous

1. Acción en progreso en el momento que se habla o muy próxima al momento en el que se

habla:
- I'll be with you in a minute. I'm finishing something in the kitchen.

2. Cosas que están cambiando (Things which are changing):

- British summers are getting hotter and winters are getting wetter.

3. Acciones repetidas que suceden por un periodo corto de tiempo, que son temporales:
- I am feeding the neighbour's cat this week because she's in hospital.

4. Muy usado para describir imágenes:

- In this picture the woman is standing next to the window.

Markers:

1. Now 4. This week, this summer

2. Currently 5. Continually

3. At the moment 6. Dynamic verbs

I (not know) what to think of my brother Tom. He (live) in London where

he (have) a small flat not far from the city centre. He (be) a journalist and

usually (work) from 8 a.m. till 6 p.m. during weekdays. At weekends he often

(spend) time with his friends. They usually (go) out to a pub or a music concert.

However, at the moment Tom (not work). He (enjoy) a few days off

work with his new girlfriend Jane. They (visit) our cousin George in New York.

On Friday they (travel) to Los Angeles because they (want) to visit

Hollywood. Next Sunday they (fly)home. It seems to be OK, but I cannot stand

one thing. Jane is not Tom’s first girlfriend. He had a few partners before but he often

(split up) with the girl after a few weeks of dating. I am not surprised. He is so

disorganized. He (always leave) clothes on the floor in his bedroom and is

often late. It is so irritating. I hope this time it is going to be different. Tom and Jane

(love) each other and I think they (want) to stay together. I (believe)

they are a perfect couple. However, Tom must change. I (meet) him for a coffee

after they come back from the US. He must understand that he cannot continue to be so

messy and irresponsible. (you / think) our mum should talk to him too?