Present simple

• We use the present simple… 1)For routines and habits: They practise sport every

week.

2) For general truths, laws of nature: Water boils at 100 degrees.

3) For feelings and thoughts: I love reggae music.

4) For permanent states: I live in Milan.

Present simple, affirmative form

• In the third person singular (he/she/it), we add –s to the verb: My brother loves reggae. (love)

• With verbs ending in –ss, -sh, -ch, -x and –o, we add –es: She watches a lot of TV. (watch) He goes to the gym everyday. (go)

• With verbs ending in a consonant + -y, we change the –y to –ies: He tries to speak French. (try)

Present simple, negative form and questions

• We use the auxiliary don’t/doesn’t, do/does:

I don’t like reggae.

My brother doesn’t like reggae.

Do you like reggae? Yes, I do.

Does your brother like reggae? No, he doesn’t.

Present continuous

1)We use the present continuous for actions that are in progress now, or around the time when we are talking: I am teaching English. (teach)The sun is shining. (shine)It isn’t raining. (rain)

2)We also use the present continuous for temporary situations:I usually live in Milan, but I’m living in Florence at the moment. (live)

Present continuous, affirmative, negative, questions

• We use three (3) elements: 1) the subject + 2) the verb to be + 3) a verb ending in –ing: He is watching TV.I’m not teaching Catalan.You aren’t doing your homework.

● In questions, we use a different order: 1) the verb to be + 2) the subject + 3) a verb ending in –ing:Is he watching TV? Yes, he is.Are you teaching Catalan? No, I’m not.Are you doing your homework? No, we aren’t.

Time expressions

• We use every day, once/twice a week, on Mondays… and adverbs of frequency (never, hardly ever, sometimes, often, usually, always) with the present simple:

He plays computer games every day.

• We use at the moment, now, today… with the present continuous:

He’s playing a football computer game now.