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Unit 1. Verb Tenses. Present Simple and Continuous
Unit 1. Verb Tenses. Present Simple and Continuous
PRESENT SIMPLE
- actions in progress at the time of speaking. It is often used with 'now, at the moment,
currently, today, this week, this year, etc.
Please don’t make so much noise. I’m trying to work.
He’s studying very hard today.
- temporary actions; that is actions that are going on around now but not at the actual
moment of speaking.
I’m reading a really good book at the moment. (but perhaps she isn’t reading the
book at the time of speaking)
- Verbs which describe actions, e.g. make, cook, can be used in the present simple or
continuous.
- Verbs which describe states or feelings (not actions), e.g. like, want, are not normally
used in the present continuous.
Common non-action verbs are agree, believe, belong, depend, forget, hate, hear, know,
like, love, matter, mean, need, prefer, realize, recognize, seem, suppose, understand,
or want.
I’m hungry. I want to eat something.
Do you understand what I mean?
Ann doesn’t seem very happy at the moment.
A few verbs have an action and non-action meaning. The most common is have.
I have a big flat. = possession (non-action)
I can’t talk now. I’m having lunch. = an activity (action)
d. Complete the dialogues with the correct form of the verbs: present simple or
present continuous.