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List three things Brian does every day. What tense does he use to describe them?
PRESENT SIMPLE AND CONTINUOUS
Match the sentences with the rules. Find more examples in the text for each use.
1 For lunch, I have biscuits and a glass of milk.
2 I like the main news at six o’clock.
THE PRESENT SIMPLE TENSE DESCRIBES:
a) an activity that is repeated regularly (example: every day);
b) a present state, a feeling or opinion.
What tense is used in this sentence? Why?
Brian Blakey is sitting on his sofa.
A Find these sentences in the text. Which sentence, a or b, means the same?
1 Brian is telling me about his perfect day.
a) Brian is talking to me right now.
b) Brian talks to me regularly.
2 They’re showing some good ones at the moment.
a) There’s a good film on TV now, while we’re talking.
b) There’s a good film on TV most afternoons this month.
B Complete the rule.
The present describes:
a) an activity happening now, at the time of speaking;
b) a present activity that happens regularly but only during a short period of time.
Look at these pairs of sentences. Decide which of the two people could say each of the sentences.
1 a) ‘I watch soap operas.’
b) ‘I am watching soap operas.’
(a journalist writing an article about soap operas/Brian Blakey)
2 a) ‘I’m working at a restaurant.’
b) ‘I work at a restaurant.’
(a waiter/a student on a holiday job)
3 a) ‘I travel a lot.’
b) ‘I’m travelling a lot.’
( a student on holiday/an airline pilot)
| Present Continuous You use the present continuous to say what is happening now or around now. example: It’s raining. I’m reading a book. They are looking for a house to rent. There is an idea that the action or state is temporary. You form the present continuous with is/are + present participle (verb + -ing). example: She’s waiting for a bus. We’re looking at the photos. Questions Short answers Negatives Is he drawing? Yes, he is. No, he isn’t. He isn’t drawing. Are you going home? Yes, I am. No, I’m not. I’m not going home. You don’t usually use these verbs in the continuous tenses: Verbs of perception:believe, know, remember, understand, forget, think, etc. Verbs of the senses: see, hear, feel, smell, sound, taste Some other verbs: need, cost, mean, want, have (=possess), like etc. |
Complete the dialogues using the Present Continuous forms of the verbs in brackets.
Example A:What’s Jenny doing?
B: She’s talking(She/talk) to her mother on the phone.
1 A: What are John and Michael doing?
B: (They/play) a game of cards.
2 A: Where (you/go)?
B: I’m going to the shops.
3 A: Where’s Harry?
B: (He/make) a cup of coffee in the kitchen.
4 A:(the weather get) better?
B: No, it’s very cold outside.
5 A:(Paul/do) a course?
B: Yes, he’s studying Business Management.
6 A: (you/listen) to me?
B: Yes, of course I’m listening to you.
7 A: What (he/cook)?
B: He’s cooking an Italian dish.
8 A:(you/wait) for the number 36 bus?
B: No? I’m waiting for a different bus.
9 A: (it/rain) at the moment?
B: No, it’s quite sunny now.
10 A: Where’s your car?
B: It’s at home. (It/not/work) at the moment.
Sonia is an English school girl. She’s fifteen. This week she’s doing work experience in a hotel.