1.

2 Present Simple, Present

Continuous and state
verbs
When do we use present tenses?

We use the Present Simple to talk about routines and permanent

situations, and with state verbs. We use the Present Continuous
to talk about present actions and temporary situations.

I live in Poland, but I’m living with a family in

Oxford this summer.

She usually sleeps from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. So

why is she sleeping now, at 3 in the afternoon?

Jade is having a great time in Australia. She has

a ticket for a flight home next month.

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 Which verbs in this text are in both the Present
Simple and Present Continuous? Is their meaning
the same or different in the different tenses?

I’m feeling so tired today, and I have a headache,

too. I think it’s because it’s so hot. I’m thinking of
going to the swimming pool to cool off, but I feel
too hot to make any decisions! I’m having a rest
now. I can decide about the pool later!

feel, have, think

These verbs are in both tenses:
Same meaning:feel Different meaning:have, think

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How do we make the Present Simple and
Present Continuous?
Present Simple
She often takes the bus to school.
They live in Madrid.
Present Continuous
He’s talking to his friends now.
I’m from Brazil, but I’m studying in the
UK.

We use the Present Simple We use the Present Continuous

for routinesand for present actions
and temporary
permanent situations. situations.

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What are state verbs?
Some verbs can be state
State verbs don’t
or dynamic, depending
normally have a
on
continuous form. Examples include: the meaning.
like, love, prefer, wish, hate, Some verbs work both in the
want, need, believe, know, simple and continuous
remember, understand, be, forms, but with no change in
cost, belong, mean, seem. meaning.

State verbs Dynamic verbs

I think he’s right.(opinion What’s he thinking about?(mental process)
)
I see her – she’s over there.
(see with eyes) I’m seeing Peter a lot these days.
(meet up with)
I have a dog.(possession I’m having lunch now.(action)
)
This soup smells/tastes lovely.
(quality) I’m tasting/smelling the soup.(action)
I feel tired. I’m feeling tired.

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 Practice Time
Choose the correct option. Choose both options if
both are possible.

Hi Sara,

How are you? I 1’m enjoying / enjoy my new school. There are lots of after-school clubs

and I 2belong /’m belonging to the Drama Club now. We 3’re meeting up / meet up every

Friday. At the moment the club 4prepares / is preparing for a show and they

5
’re wanting / want me to be in it. I 6think / ’m thinking about it and I 7like / am liking

the idea, but I 8feel / ’m feeling anxious about it. What 9do you think / are you thinking I

should do?

Sam

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