1. Simple Present and Present Continuous
Discuss with your partner why the following sentences are grammatically wrong.

2. I am coming from Japan. (said by a Japanese man)
I am living in Spain. (said by a permanent resident)
Our company is producing glass. (said by a worker at a glass company)
The economy grows again this year. (said by a merchant)
They build a house next to mine. (at the moment)
Look! It snows. (at the moment)

3. Read the following sentences and guess why we’ve used the simple present or the present continuous in each one.

4. I usually drink two cups of coffee in the morning.
I am drinking coffee now.
the bus comes every hour.
I am reading a book on pets this week.
The baby is sleeping better these days.
Some babies don’t sleep at night.
A recliner is a comfortable chair that leans back.
I stay here every summer.
I’m staying here for the summer.
They always call me early Sunday morning.
They are always calling me early Sunday morning.

5. Simple Present
Routines/ schedules (fixed)
General truths/definitions
Permanent/ habitual
Neutral attitude
Present Continuous
Activities in progress at this exact moment
Activities in progress over a period of time/changing situations
New or temporary
Expressing complaints

6. Discuss the following questions:
How much sleep do you get each night? Do you usually get enough sleep? Why or why not? Do you take naps?
What is the main idea of the passage?
Are you in favor of or against sleeping on the job? Support your answer with good reasons?

7. Verbs with Stative Meanings vs. Verbs Active Meanings.
Stative verbs states and conditions
Action verbs express actions
My roommate’s name is Peter. He’s tall and has brown hair. He likes sports cars and loud music.
Look at page 17.

8. Exceptions
Some verbs with stative meanings can have active meanings and can express activities.

9. I think this pie is delicious. (belief)
It weighs a lot. (measurement)
Peter has two cars. (possess)
We have a computer at home. (possess)
The soup tastes great. (uncontrollable state)
I smell something awful.
We’re thinking about moving. (mental activity)
I’m weighing it on the scale. (physical activity)
Are you having any problems? (experience)
I’m having dinner with Sue. (eating)
I’m tasting the soup to see if it’s too hot. (voluntary)
I’m smelling each flower to find my favorite.

10. My stomach hurts and I feel sick.
(expressing physical sensation)
be+ adjective for behavior
My kids are good. They always behave well in restaurants.
(typical behavior)
My stomach is hurting and I’m feeling sick.
(expressing physical sensation)
be+ adjective for behavior
My kids are being good. They usually don’t behave well in restaurants.
(Not typical behavior)