Present Simple or Continuous
present simple is used for:
1. things that are always true
Oil floats on water. The Earth goes round the sun.
2. things that are true for a long time
I live in Rome. She works for a big company.
3. habits
He has coffee for breakfast. They go to the beach in July.
adverbs of frequency are common with the present simple for habits
He always usually often sometimes rarely never has coffee for breakfast.
‘present’ simple is NOT a good name!
it talks about general, repeated or permanent time
present continuous is used for:
1. actions in progress
She’s crossing the road. The sun is shining.
2. actions happening around now
I’m reading a good book. We’re studying pronunciation.
verbs in the continuous are: a) temporary b) interruptible
contrast between habit and current situation
I usually wear a suit to work but today I’m wearing jeans.
He usually has tea for breakfast but today he’s having coffee.
verbs of action and state
verbs of action change things
He goes to work. he was at home now he’s at work
She buys a drink. she didn’t have a drink now she has a drink
verbs of action can be used in simple and continuous tenses
She has a shower every morning. She’s having a shower now.
verbs of state describe unchanging situations
He believes in God. She owns a Porsche. She loves hip-hop.
common verbs of state:
believe doubt know remember understand
like love dislike hate prefer want
agree deny mean need own
verbs of state aren’t used in the continuous
I’m wanting an ice-cream.
I’m wanting an ice-cream. I want an ice-cream.
some verbs have BOTH state and action meanings !
come
He comes from Frascati. He’s coming from Frascati.
He comes from Frascati. He’s coming from Frascati. come = origin come = travel
have
She has long hair. She’s having lunch.
She has long hair. She’s having lunch. have = own / possess have = consume
think
What do you think of the film? What are you thinking about?
What do you think of the film? What are you thinking about? think = have opinion think = reflect
particular verbs
verbs of position
stand (up) sit (down) kneel (down) lie (down)
these verbs use the simple for the action of assuming a position…
at the end, everybody stands up
they always sit in the corner
… and they use the continuous to indicate a position already assumed
the men are standing at the bar
she’s lying on the sofa
wear
‘wear’ in the simple indicates a habit…
I usually wear a suit to work...
… and in the continuous it indicates what someone already has on their body at the time
…but today I’m wearing jeans.