English VII

Academic Consulting Session #1

Simple Present, Present Continuous, & Expressing Obligation
.

Uses of the Simple Present

1. General Facts The Earth revolves around the Sun. (revolve)
The Moon orbits the Earth. (orbit)

2. States of Being I am a part of the UCV community. (be)

You are a part of the UCV community. (be)
The founder is a part of the UCV community. (be)

3. Habitual / Repetitive Actions I check my email every day. (check)

I order pizza once a week. (order)
 Simple Present Adverbial Elements for Habitual Actions

Time expressions Expressions of frequency

on Mondays / on Tuesdays / etc. every day
in the morning once a week
in the afternoon twice a month
at night three times a year
on the weekend(s)
 PLACEMENT of Adverbial Elements for Habitual Actions

Time expressions Expressions of frequency

1. These elements usually go at THE END of a sentence with a simple present verb
that expresses a habit.

2. However, they can also go at THE BEGINNING of affirmative and negative sentences.

3. When they begin of a sentence, they should be separated from the main clause with a comma.
 Simple Present for Habitual / Repetitive Actions
Time expression / Expression of frequency at THE END

I call my father once or twice a month. (call)

E
X I eat doughnuts once a year.
A (eat)
I go to a concert once in a while. (go)
M
Time expression / Expression of frequency at THE BEGINNING
P
L At 1 p.m., I have lunch. (have)
E At night, I charge my cellphone. (charge)
S In my free time, I play the piano. (play)
Every two or three weeks, I get a haircut. (get)
 Break-out room activity: Survey
1. What is something you do IN THE MORNING?
2. What is something you do ON THE WEEKEND?
3. What is something you do EVERY DAY?
4. What is something you do AT NIGHT?

5. What is something you do IN THE AFTERNOON?

6. What is something you do EVERY MONTH?

7. What is something you do ONCE A YEAR?

 Uses of the Present Continuous
1. Temporary actions in progress in the present moment
Examples: I am working RIGHT NOW. (work)

You are listening to this academic consulting session AT THE MOMENT. (listen)

Note: These sentences usually use a PRESENT TIME EXPRESSION (i.e. NOW / RIGHT NOW /
CURRENTLY / AT THE MOMENT / ETC.) or imply that the action is occurring in the present.

2. Future actions / arrangements (plans in the immediate future)

Example: My father is coming to visit me SOON. (come)
Note: These sentences usually use a FUTURE TIME EXPRESSION.

General Note: The present continuous can only be used with ACTION VERBS.
.

Present Continuous Form

Present continuous verbs have TWO parts…
AUXILIARY VERB MAIN VERB

AFFIRMATIVE AM OR ARE OR IS + PRESENT PARTICIPLE

AUXILIARY VERB and NEGATION

NEGATIVE AM NOT OR AREN’T OR ISN’T + PRESENT PARTICIPLE

The form of the auxiliary verb (AM / ARE / IS) depends on the subject of the clause.

The present participle is usually (base form of main verb) + “ing”.

However, there are some slight variations for forming the present participle of the main verb.
 During Academic Consulting Sessions

I AM… I AM NOT…

------------------------------------------------------
PAYING attention SPEAKING in Spanish

SPEAKING in English
CHECKING social media

Can you think of some other examples?

 Expressing Obligation
1. Using “have to” / “has to” + (base form of main verb) GENERAL OBLIGATIONS
Example:
I have to work tomorrow. (work)

2. Using “need to” / “needs to” + (base form of main verb)

ESSENTIAL OBLIGATIONS Examples:
Everyone needs to eat and sleep. (eat & sleep)
Everyone needs to stay hydrated. (stay)

3. Using the modal verb “must” + (base form of main verb)

Example:
In Peru, almost everyone must vote. (vote) LEGAL OBLIGATIONS

Remember: Modal verbs such as “must” only have one form. Their form does not depend on the
subject. It is the same for all subjects.
 Practice Exercise 1

Instructions:

Write as many sentences as you can about the rules for the ACS.

Write sentences expressing a formal obligation using “must” + (base form).

Write sentences expressing a different obligation using “have to” / “has to” + (base form).