Present Present

Simple Continuous
I work as a fashion editor for VOGUE.
The Present Simple is used
•for permanent states, repeated
actions and daily routines
He works at a hotel.
(permanent state)
He lays the table and serves dinner
every day.
(daily routine / repeated actions)
Water boils at 100°C
• for general truths and laws of nature
It rarely rains in the desert.
The movie starts at 8 pm tomorrow.
• for timetables (trains, planes etc.)
and programs.
The plane to London takes off at
6:25 a.m.
Peterson overtakes Williams and wins the
race.
• for sports commentaries, reviews and
narration.
Hill kicks the ball and passes it to Dawson.
(sports commentary)
Kate Winslet acts superbly in the film.
(review)
So, the prince tells her…
(narration)
I believe the temperature is 32 degrees.
I feel sick.
(state)
I’m feeling the cat’s fur. (action)
I think I must have the best job in the world.
think = believe => state

I’m thinking about going to see him.

think = consider => action
Time expressions:
•always
•usually
•often
•sometimes
•rarely/seldom
•never
•every day/week/month etc.
•on Mondays/Tuesdays etc.
 We use Present Simple:

• for permanent states, repeated actions, daily

routines;
• for general truths and laws of nature;
• for timetables;
• for sports commentaries, reviews and narration;
• with stative verbs
Present Continuous
I’m hanging out with my friends now.
The Present Continuous is used:
•For actions taking place now, at
the moment of speaking.
The author is writing a novel now.
These days I’m working at the COACHELLA
music festival.
• For temporary actions
happening around now,
but not at the actual
moment of speaking.
She is working on the project these
days.
They’re always arguing.
With always when we want to express
our irritation at actions which happen
too often.
She’s always kissing me like that.
We’re moving into a new house next week.
• For actions that we have already
arranged to do in the near future,
especially when the time and place
have been decided.
Melanie is getting married at 3 this
afternoon.
More and more teenagers are
becoming bloggers these days.
• For changing or developing situations.
More and more forests are disappearing because
of fires.
Time expressions:
•now
•at the moment
•these days
•at present
•today
•tonight
•nowadays
•still
 We use Present Continuous:
• for actions happening now, at the moment of
speaking;
• for temporary actions happening AROUND now;
• for actions happening TOO OFTEN to express
irritation (with always);
• for actions that we have already arranged to do
in the near future, especially when we know the
time and place;
• for changing or developing situations.