1. Simple Present Tense vs. Present continuous
Prof. Jose Morales
EGLISH COURSE

2. Forms
Simple present tense verbs have two forms: the base form and the -s form:
We use the base form with I, you, we, they, and plural nouns. I
You
We need water.
They
My friends
BASE FORM
-S FORM
LIKE
NEED
LIKES
NEEDS

3. 3. We use the –s form with he, she, it, and singular nouns
It needs water
The flower
Susan

4. Verbs with irregular –s forms
These verbs have irregular –s forms:
have has / go goes
Examples:
I have a car /She has a motorcycle
I go to bed at 10 o’clock. / She goes to bed at 11:30.

5. Functions of simple present tense
Statements of fact
The sun rises in the east.
Lions live in Africa.
Americans speak English
Statements of regular activity or repeated action.
We have class on Mondays and Wednesdays.
The professor always explains the grammar.
The teacher usually gives homework.

6. Applying some Spelling rules to indicate tense
We add –s to most verbs to make the –s form:
I like apples. She likes apples too.
I need a pen. He needs a pen too.
2. When the base form ends in s, z, sh, ch, or x, we add –es and pronounce an extra syllable.
I miss him, and she misses him too.
You wash the dishes, and he washes the clothes.
We watch channel 5, and Linda watches channel 2.
They fix car, and he fixes motorcycles.

7. Cont…
3. For words that end in -ge, -ce, and -se, we must pronounce an extra syllable. I use a pen, and she uses a pencil. You change $15, and he changes $18. I dance well, and she dances majestically . 4. When the base form ends in a consonant + -y, we change -y to –i and then add –es. I study English, and he studies French I carry a bag, and he carries a briefcase.

8. Cont… When the base form ends in a vowel + y, we do not change the –y
Example: I play football and she plays soccer.
These verbs have a change in the vowel sound:
say /sei/ says /sεz/
do /du/ does /d∂z/
I say yes, and he says no
I do my homework, and she does her work.

9. compare be in different contexts
BE (SER)
EXAMPLES
BE (ESTAR)
Am I
Is he, she, it
Are you, we, they
I am a professor.
He is curious.
She is beautiful.
It is a cute cat.
You are a student.
You are students.
We are students.
They are rich.
Are you, we, are
I am at the concert.
He is in school.
They are at the park.

10. Negative statements with the verb to be
LOOK AT THIS EQUATION: SUBJ. + BE + NEG. NOT + COMPLEMENT. EXAMPLES: 1. I am not a student any longer. 2. She is not responding my calls. 3. They are not going to the party. 4. We are not good in math.

11. Negative statements with regular verbs
LOOK AT THIS EQUATION TO FORM NEGATIVE STATEMENTS IN ENGLISH: SUBJ. + AUX. (DO/DOES) + NEGATIVE (NOT) + MAIN VERB + COMPLEMENT. Keep in mind that the auxiliary DO is used with I, you, we, they , and plural nouns. We use the auxiliary DOES with he, she, or it, or singular nouns. Examples: I you do not like vegetables. We (don’t) They

12. Negative statements (cont…)
He does not like vegetables. She (doesn’t) It

13. Affirmative and negative statements
I have children
She has a lot of money in the bank.
I use a pencil when I write.
She prays for the elderly.
She likes to eat popcorn.
I don’t have children
She doesn’t have a lot of money in the bank
I don’t use a pencil when I write.
She doesn’t pray for the elderly.
She doesn’t like to eat popcorn.

14. Yes/no questions AND SHORT ANSWERS
FOLLOW THIS EQUATION TO FORM YES/NO QUESTIONS: DO/DOES +SUBJ. + VERB + COMPLEMENT + QUEST. MARK (?) EXAMPLES: Do you like horror movies? Yes, I do / No, I don’t Does she like to play soccer? Yes, she does. / No, she doesn’t. Does the textbook have pictures? Yes, it does./ No, it doesn’t. Do Mexicans like football? Yes, they do. / No, they don’t.

15. Wh-questions WH-WORDS DO/DOES SUBJECT VERB + ? Where When How long
WORD ORDER:
WH-WORDS
DO/DOES
SUBJECT
VERB + ?
Where
When
How long
What
Who do
does
they
the class
the semester
you
study?
begin?
last?
want?
prefer?

16. Present continuous tense
For an action in progress now, at this moment.
example: The teacher is explaining the grammar.
For a long-term action that is not completed.
example: The world is changing.

17. Forming the present continuous
How do we form the present continuous tense?
1. We form this verb tense by following the structure:
subj. + BE + main verb + -ing + complement
SPELLING RULES
We do not change the final –y when we add –ing.
carry-carrying
stay-staying
worry-worrying
study-studying

18. 2. For one syllable verbs that end in consonant-vowel-consonant, we double the final consonant and add –ing. plan-planning sit-sitting stop-stopping run-running 3. We do not double final w, x, or y mow-mowing mix-mixing stay-staying

19. Affirmative statements
1. Affirmative statements: I am studying for the exam. You are reading an interesting book They are practicing for the game. We are learning a lot of things in class. Jose and Rosa are writing essays in class. 2. He is eating a delicious lasagna. She is sleeping It is sitting on a bench. Jaime is standing in line.

20. Contractions
I am / I’m cleaning my car You are / you’re discussing arid topics that are difficult to understand. We are / We’re driving to Mayaguez to attend a graduation. They are / They’re feeding the horses. He is / He’s fighting for his rights. She is /She’s demonstrating to the audience that she has potential. It is / It’s standing straight.

21. Negative statements / yes-no questions
SUBJ. + VERB BE + NEG. (NOT) + MAIN VERB + -ING + COMPLEMENT
They are not paying attention to the class.
He is not reading.
Maria and Jose are not laughing.
YES/NO QUESTIONS
VERB BE + SUBJ. + MAIN VERB + -ING + COMPLEMENT + QUESTION MARK (?)
Am I learning? Yes, I am/ No, I am not
Are you listening to me? Yes, I am / No, I am not
Is she writing essays? Yes, she is / No, she is not

22. Wh-questions using the progressive form
WH-WORD + VERB BE + SUBJ. + MAIN VERB + -ING EXAMPLES: What are you studying? Why is he running? Who am I waiting for? Where are they going? When is she coming home?

23. references
Elbaum, S. & Hardison, M. (1986). Grammar in Context. Scott, Foresman & Company. United States.