BIZ 1054: PROGRESSIVE ENGLISHTHE SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE AND THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS/PROGRESSIVE TENSE

INTRODUCTION

THE SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE

(a) Ann takes a shower every day.

(b) I usually eat lunch at the cafeteria

(c) Babies cry

(d) The earth revolves around the sun.

(e) A square has four equal sides.

(f) The sky is blue.

Note : The simple present expresses daily habits or usual activities, as in (a) and (b).

The simple present expresses general statements of fact as in (c) and (d). In sum, the simple present is used for events or situations that exists always, usually or habitually in the past, present and future.

THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS (g) Ann can’t come to the phone right now because she is taking a shower.

(h) It’s noon. I am eating lunch at the cafeteria right now.

(i) Jimmy and Susie are babies. They are crying. I can hear them right now. Maybe they are hungry.

Note : The present progressive/continuous expresses an activity that is in progress (is occuring, is happening) right now. The event is in progress at the time the speaker is saying the sentence. The event began in the past, is in progress now and will probably continue into the future.

FORMS OF THE SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS

SIMPLE PRESENT PRESENT CONTINUOUS

STATEMENT { I-You-We-They} work.

{ He-She-It } works.

I am working.

{You-We-They} are working.

{ He-She-It } is working.

NEGATIVE { I-You-We-They} do not work.

{ He-She-It } does not work.

I am not working.

{You-We-They} are not working.

{ He-She-It } is not working.

QUESTION Do { I-you-we-they} work?

Does { he-she-it } work?

Am I working?

Are {you-we-they} working?

Is { he-she-it } working?

FUNCTIONS OF THE SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE AND THE CONTINUOS TENSE

NO FUNCTION EXAMPLE YOUR EXAMPLE

1. To express a general truth or fact

Water freezes at 0 C.

2. To express a habit or habitual action.

He reads for at least an hour a day.

3. To indicate a planned future event, normally in a timetable or programme.

The express bus leaves at 10 am tomorrow.

FUNCTIONS OF THE SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE AND THE CONTINUOS TENSE

NO FUNCTION EXAMPLE YOUR EXAMPLE

1 To talk about an action or state that is happening at the moment of speaking.

My mother is cooking in the kitchen. (You can see her there)

2. To talk about a temporary action or situation in the present

I am studying psychology at a local college.

3. To talk about a changing situation or trend in the present

The world is becoming smaller.

4. To talk about a future event which arises from a present arrangement or plan.

We are leaving by bus tonight. (We’ve bought our tickets)

GENERAL RULES OF THE PRESENT

AND THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS

SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

We can use this to refer to regular actions (habits), current situations or facts in general

We can use this to refer to new habits (or repeated actions) which happen around the time of speaking or writing

EXAMPLE :

David complains a lot about everything because he’s an impatient person

EXAMPLE :

Andy is complaining a lot about his work lately. He used to be a happier person.

GENERAL RULES OF THE PRESENT

AND THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS

SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

We can use this to refer to a more long-lasting or permanent situations.

We can use this to refer to situations which are temporary (lasting for a short time around the present)

EXAMPLE :

Penny works in her father’s construction company.

EXAMPLE :

Terence is running his aunt’s shop until she recovers from her illness.

GENERAL RULES OF THE PRESENT

AND THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS

SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

We can use this to refer to actions which are going to happen very soon, or future actions which happen regularly according to a schedule or timetable.

We can use this to refer to planned future actions

EXAMPLE :

The show starts in 15 minutes.

EXAMPLE :

Some old friends are visiting us next week.

GENERAL RULES OF THE PRESENT

AND THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS

SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE

PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE

We can use this to refer to short actions happening at the time of speaking.. (sports commentaries). We also use this in review of books, plays and movies.

We can use this to refer to actions (especially longer actions) happening at the time of speaking or writing.

EXAMPLE :

The ball goes into the net and it’s another point for the Reds in this exciting basketball final!

EXAMPLE :

The teachers are holding a meeting now to discuss the student’s progress.

PRACTICE

Our neighbour (comes/is coming) over now for a game of chess with my father.

Eduardo (kick/kicks) the ball into the net. It’s another goal for the Italians!

Adam (lecture/is lecturing) part-time in the college while he is pursuing his doctorate.

Tim (accuses/is accusing) us of telling everyone about his quarrel with Mark,

She (sees/is seeing) more of her family nowadays. She used to visit them only once a month.