BIZ 1054:

PROGRESSIVE
ENGLISH
THE SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE
AND THE PRESENT
CONTINUOUS/PROGRESSIVE
TENSE
INTRODUCTION
THE SIMPLE PRESENT (a) Ann takes a shower Note : The simple present
TENSE every day. expresses daily habits or usual
(b) I usually eat lunch at the activities, as in (a) and (b).
cafeteria The simple present expresses
(c) Babies cry general statements of fact as in
(d) The earth revolves (c) and (d). In sum, the simple
around the sun. present is used for events or
situations that exists always,
(e) A square has four equal usually or habitually in the past,
sides. present and future.
(f) The sky is blue.
THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS (g) Ann can’t come to the Note : The present
phone right now progressive/continuous
because she is taking a expresses an activity that is in
shower. progress (is occuring, is
(h) It’s noon. I am eating happening) right now. The event
lunch at the cafeteria is in progress at the time the
right now. speaker is saying the sentence.
(i) Jimmy and Susie are The event began in the past, is
babies. They are crying. in progress now and will
probably continue into the
I can hear them right
future.
FORMS OF THE SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE AND
PRESENT CONTINUOUS

SIMPLE PRESENT PRESENT CONTINUOUS

STATEMENT { I-You-We-They} work. I am working.

{ He-She-It } works. {You-We-They} are
working.
{ He-She-It } is working.
NEGATIVE { I-You-We-They} do not I am not working.
work. {You-We-They} are not
{ He-She-It } does not working.
work. { He-She-It } is not
working.

QUESTION Do { I-you-we-they} work? Am I working?

Does { he-she-it } work? Are {you-we-they} working?
Is { he-she-it } working?
FUNCTIONS OF THE SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE
AND THE CONTINUOS TENSE
NO FUNCTION EXAMPLE YOUR EXAMPLE

1. To express a general truth or Water freezes at 0 C.

fact

2. To express a habit or habitual He reads for at least an hour a

action. day.

3. To indicate a planned future The express bus leaves at 10

event, normally in a timetable am tomorrow.
or programme.
FUNCTIONS OF THE SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE
AND THE CONTINUOS TENSE
NO FUNCTION EXAMPLE YOUR EXAMPLE

1 To talk about an action or state My mother is cooking in the

that is happening at the moment kitchen. (You can see her
of speaking. there)

2. To talk about a temporary action I am studying psychology at

or situation in the present a local college.

3. To talk about a changing The world is becoming

situation or trend in the present smaller.

4. To talk about a future event We are leaving by bus

which arises from a present tonight. (We’ve bought our
arrangement or plan. tickets)
GENERAL RULES OF THE PRESENT
AND THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS
SIMPLE PRESENT
TENSE
We can use this to refer to
regular actions (habits),
current situations or facts in
general
EXAMPLE :
David complains a lot about
everything because he’s an
impatient person
PRESENT
CONTINUOUS
We can use this to refer to
new habits (or repeated
actions) which happen
around the time of speaking
or writing
EXAMPLE :
Andy is complaining a lot
about his work lately. He
used to be a happier person.
GENERAL RULES OF THE PRESENT
AND THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS

SIMPLE PRESENT PRESENT

TENSE CONTINUOUS

We can use this to refer to a We can use this to refer to

more long-lasting or situations which are
permanent situations. temporary (lasting for a short
time around the present)
EXAMPLE : EXAMPLE :
Penny works in her father’s Terence is running his
construction company. aunt’s shop until she
recovers from her illness.
GENERAL RULES OF THE PRESENT
AND THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS
SIMPLE PRESENT PRESENT
TENSE CONTINUOUS

We can use this to refer to actions We can use this to refer to

which are going to happen very planned future actions
soon, or future actions which
happen regularly according to a
schedule or timetable.
EXAMPLE : EXAMPLE :
The show starts in 15 Some old friends are
minutes. visiting us next week.
GENERAL RULES OF THE PRESENT
AND THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS
SIMPLE PRESENT
TENSE
We can use this to refer to short
actions happening at the time of
speaking.. (sports commentaries).
We also use this in review of
books, plays and movies.
EXAMPLE :
The ball goes into the net and it’s
another point for the Reds in this
exciting basketball final!
PRESENT
CONTINUOUS TENSE
We can use this to refer to actions
(especially longer actions)
happening at the time of speaking
or writing.
EXAMPLE :
The teachers are holding a
meeting now to discuss the
student’s progress.
PRACTICE
 Our neighbour (comes/is coming) over now for a game
of chess with my father.
 Eduardo (kick/kicks) the ball into the net. It’s another
goal for the Italians!
 Adam (lecture/is lecturing) part-time in the college while
he is pursuing his doctorate.
 Tim (accuses/is accusing) us of telling everyone about
his quarrel with Mark,
 She (sees/is seeing) more of her family nowadays. She
used to visit them only once a month.