GRAMMAR: PRESENT SIMPLE vs.

PRESENT
CONTINUOUS
 Present simple is used when we talk about
things or actions in general.
We use it to say that actions happen repeatedly
or that something is true in general.
e.g., A computer consists of two main parts. I
use my computer every day.
We use do, does to make interrogative or
negative forms.
e.g., He doesn’t write programs in C. What type
of pointing devices do they refer to?
 Present continuous
We use present continuous to speak about temporary actions
happening at the time of speaking, around the time of speaking
or when we talk about a period around the present.
Statement – I am playing, he/she/it is playing
you/we/they are playing
Negative – I am not playing, he/she/it is not playing
Question – Am I playing? Are they/we/you playing?
Is he/she/it playing?
e.g., He is doing his homework at the moment. They are taking
their exam today.
 Stative verbs
There are also some verbs which are not used in
continuous tenses: believe, belong, contain,
consist, fit, forget, hate, hear, like, love, know,
need, prefer, realize, remember, see, seem,
suppose, want, understand, e.g, I am hungry. I
want something to eat. (not I am wanting
something)
 Think
When think means ‘believe’ or ‘have an opinion’ we
don’t use the continuous.
E.g., I think Mary is Canadian but I am not sure.
What do you think of my plan?
When think means ‘consider’ the continuous is possible.
E.g., I am thinking about what happened. Nicky is
thinking of giving up her job.
 See, hear, smell, taste
We normally use present simple not continuous
with these words
Do you see that man over there? (Not Are you
seeing?)
E.g., This room smells. Let’s open the window.
We often use can+see/hear/smell/taste
I can hear a strange noise. Can you hear it?