Present simple vs. Present conituous - B1-Filippetto-2nd

Present simple vs. Present conituous
Use the present simple for:
• Permanent situations
I live in a flat.
• Habitual actions
She always has toast for breakfast.
They go out twice a week.
• Time expressions
Adverbs of frequency: always, usually, sometimes, never, etc.
Expressions of frequency: every day, once a year, etc.
Use the present continuous for:
• Actions happening now
It’s raining.
Prices are going up.
• Time expressions
now, at the moment, this week, etc.
• Future arrangements
What are you doing on Friday night?
I’m having dinner with friends.
• Future time expressions
this evening, tomorrow night, etc.
State verbs vs. action verbs
STATES
• A state means something
staying the same.
• State verbs cannot usually
be continuous.
ACTIONS
• An action means
something is happening.
• An action verb can be
simple or continuous.
The flat is clean.
The farmer owns the land.
The box contained old
books.
I’m cleaning the flat.
The farmer is buying the
land.
He put the books in the box.
• NOT The farmer is owning
the land.
Sometimes you can use a verb either for a state
or for an action.
STATES
ACTIONS
I think you’re right. (believe)
I’m thinking about the problem.
We’re having lunch. (eating)
I’m coming from the airport.
I usually come by plane. (travel)
Mark is seeing his boss. (meeting)
I see Daniel quite often.
I’m looking at the painting.
She is appearing in a film.
They were weighing my bag.
I’m fitting a lock to the door
We have three cars. (own)
I come from Sweden. (live in)
I see your problem. (understand)
Do you see that house.
This picture looks nice.
She appears very nervous. (seems)
The bag weighed five kilos.
This coat fits.
Examples of the verb to be about how people
behave.
Permanent quality
Temporary behaviour
• Claire is a very sociable
person.
• Andrew is being very
sociable this evening.
• That man is an idiot.
• You are being an idiot
today.
We can use some state verbs in the continuous form to
talk about a short period of time.
Permanent state
Short period
• I love/ enjoy parties.
• I like my job.
I’m loving/enjoying this
party.
I’m liking my job much
better now.
This trip is costing me a
fortune!
• Holidays cost a lot of
money.
Write questions in the present simple
or continuous.
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How often / go / cinema?
What / read / the moment?
What / like / do / fee time?
Where / usually / go / on Saturday night?
What time / usually / go / bed?
Study / other languages / this year?
How / get / university?
What / kind / films/ like?
What / do / tonight?
When / watch TV?
Translate the following sentences.
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Tom parla troppo.
Si, è vero e parla sempre di calcio.
Non ci credo! Hai dimenticato di nuovo le chiavi!
Cerco di ricordarmele, ma mi dimentico sempre.
Sarah prende il treno ogni giorno per andare a scuola.
Rachel manca troppo spesso alle lezioni.
Ogni volta che guido in centro mi perdo.
Trevor e Laura litigano troppo spesso.
Di solito inizio il lavoro alle otto, ma questa settimana inizio alle sette.
Siamo molto occupati al momento.