PRESENT SIMPLE

subject + verb/verb + (e)s
Examples: He plays tennis. She studies English.

subject + do/does not + verb
Examples: He doesn't play tennis. She doesn't study English.

do/does + subject + verb?
Example: Do you study English?

To refer to habitual or repeated actions:
o I read the Bible just about every day.
o She never goes to the cinema.
o He doesn't come here very often.
o
o
Do you smoke?
With the present simple, frequency adverbs are often used (e.g. usually,
always, frequently, generally, sometimes, rarely, often, never, normally, every
day).

To refer to permanent states:
o She holds a university degree in economics.
o Note: use the present perfect, not the present simple when describing how long
or since when something has continued:
o She has taught economics since 1991. (not )

To talk about factual information, such as generally accepted truths or
scientific facts:
o Parents are generally blind to their children's faults.
o Water boils at 100°C.
o The following frequency adverbs are often used: generally, normally, usually

To give instructions (e.g. cooking) or directions:
o First, you add the sugar to the butter; then, you add two eggs.
o You go up the stairs and turn right.

To talk about what happens in books, plays and films:
o In the film, a young woman travels to the countryside and soon falls in love.

To use with state verbs when the meaning is not temporary. These verbs often
describe a state rather than an action and therefore do not normally have
continuous tenses.
o Verbs that describe senses: see, hear, smell, taste, feel, look, sound
o
The coffee tastes really bitter.
Note: when something is happening now, we use can:
I can’t see anything. It’s too dark.
o
Verbs of possession: have, belong, possess, own
This camera belongs to my wife.
o
Verbs of perception: know, believe, understand, forget, think, remember
I think she's too young to get married.
Verbs of emotion: care, like, dislike, love, hate, mind, prefer, enjoy, adore
Do you mind if I open the window?
I adore my husband.
Verbs of description: seem, mean, look like, contain, sound, resemble, weigh
o
o
You resemble my father.
PRESENT CONTINUOUS



subject + am/is/are + verb + ing
Example: She is working in Dubai.
subject + am/is/are not + verb + ing
Example: I am not working in Dubai.
am/is/are + subject + verb + ing?
Example: Are you working in Dubai?
The principal uses of the present continuous are listed below.

To describe actions happening at the exact moment of speech:
o The boy is crying.

To refer to temporary situations:
o I'm living in London at the moment. (I don't normally live here)
o My cousin is working in a restaurant until she finds a job in her field.
o

To refer to tendencies and trends:
o The world's population is increasing rapidly.
o

Google is making it easier for people to find, rate and share information about
local businesses.
To express irritation, anger or envy:
o She's always losing her gloves! (complaint)
o He's always travelling around the world! (envy)
o

The present continuous is often used with: now, at the moment, today, this
morning/afternoon/evening/week/month/year, currently
The following adverbs are often used: always, constantly, forever
To use with state verbs when the meaning is temporary.
o I'm thinking of buying a new car. (trying to reach a decision)
o I think you should buy a new car. (my opinion, so not temporary)
o He is tasting the wine they have brought him. (activity)
o The wine tastes sweet rather than sour. (sense)
o
o
I was having a bath when the phone rang. (activity, not possession)
The room has a private bathroom with a tub and shower. (possession)
EXERCISE
Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the verbs in brackets.
1This workshop takes place (take place) in the Art Gallery every Wednesday from 10am12pm.
2The whole team is performing (perform) well at the moment. I believe they will win.
3In the UK students enter (enter) law undergraduate degree programmes immediately
after high school.
4Natural gas spot prices fall (fall) as a result of relatively warm weather in much of the
U.S.
5Green plants consume (consume) carbon dioxide and release (release) oxygen under the
influence of light.
6What are you doing (you/do)? I am trying (try) to write an essay.
7Please be quiet! I want (want) to watch the game.
8The company operates (operate) a wide range of cultural sightseeing every year.
9My parents are sailing (sail) around western Italy this summer, and probably won't be
back until late September.
10Paula is busy right now. She is talking (talk) on the phone with her dad.