Basic Grammar 1.

6
TENSES - SIMPLE PRESENT AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS
There are some differences between the Simple Present and the Present Continuous:
1. The Present continuous is usually used to express things that are happening at the time of
speaking or in a time span that includes the present moment.

Action
happening
Past

Now

Future

Examples:
-

Alex is writing a composition at the moment.

Please be quiet! Im watching this show.
Shes learning German this term.
Look! Its snowing.

2. The Simple present expresses things that happen within a certain frequency.

Action
happens
Past

Future
Present

Examples:
-

Alex always writes good compositions.

I work from 9 o clock until 5:00 every day.
It doesnt rain much here in the winter.
We go to the gym three times a week.

The Simple Present also expresses general statements of fact or truths:

Examples:
-

I have two sisters.

Mike doesnt like coffee.
Pam plays the guitar very well.
These books belong to Louis.

3. With the Present Continuous there is an idea that an action can be temporary; with the Simple
Present the idea is that actions are permanent:
Examples:
-

My sister lives in Denver. Im staying with her these days.

I often drink tea for breakfast, but today Im having coffee.

B 1.6 Tenses Simple Present & Present Continuous

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Basic Grammar 1.6

PRACTICE: SIMPLE PRESENT AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I.- Underline the right tense.
1. Albert is going / goes to the movies once a week.
2. Rose is taking / takes her little brother to school these days.
3. My older brother often is listening / listens to classical music.
4. We are writing / write a composition now.
5. Mom is making / makes dinner right now.
6. Our professor is giving / gives us an exam every month.
7. Listen! Daddy is reading / reads tales to Dick.
8. Bruce is growing / grows flowers in his garden every year.
9. Valerie is drinking / drinks orange juice every morning.
10. Look! Brian is running / runs down the hill.

II.- Fill in the blanks with the present simple or present continuous.
1. Yvonne often (run) runs around the park near her house.
2. My father sometimes (order).............................a pizza for dinner.
3. Look! The cat (lie).............................on your carpet.
4. My brother (leave)...............................the office at 5:00 every afternoon.
5. The students (take) .................................a quiz at the moment.
6. Priscilla sometimes (study) .............................in the living room.
7. Listen! The baby (cry)......................................
8. We (go)............................to school every day.
9. Hank usually (walk).to work.
10. Carol (take)....................................a shower at the moment.
11. Doug is in his bedroom. He (rest)..now.
12. I always (drink)..coffee for breakfast.
13. My family and I (travel)..twice a year.
14. Im tired. I (want).to go home.
15. Ryan (speak)three languages.

III.- Fill the spaces with: am / am not / is / isnt/ are / arent / do / dont / does / doesnt.
1. I..... dont.....like soap operas. They are boring.
2. Why.................you looking at me that way?
3. Why................you at school now? Today isnt a holiday.
4. Look! It...................snowing.
5. Where............your friend come from?
6. He.................working this month. Hes on vacation.
7. Adam is a good soccer player, but he.................play very often.
8. Irene.eat meat. Shes a vegetarian.
9. .you speak English?
10. I..a student. Im a teacher.

B 1.6 Tenses Simple Present & Present Continuous

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Basic Grammar 1.6

IV.- Arrange these sentences. Use the simple present or the present continuous.
1. to / book / this / belong / me
This book belongs to me.
2. learn / now / Felix / Japanese
.............................................................................................................
3. English / Jim / understand / not
..............................................................................................................
4. It / rain / now / not
..............................................................................................................
5. Matt / a motorcycle / want
...............................................................................................................

V.- Match the questions and the answers.

1.- Where are you going?
2.- Do they have a daughter?
3.- Is Judy coming today?
4.- What do you do?
5.- Who is helping you?
6.- Do you swim well?
7.- Are you enjoying the party?
8.- Does Mark like comedies?
9.- What is that boy doing?
10.- Who works in that office?

______
______
______
___1__
______
______
______
______
______
______

a. Hes practicing karate.

b. No, she isnt.
c. Im an architect.
d. Im going to the bank.
e. Yes, we are.
f. Lorry does.
g. No, I dont.
h. Yes, and a son too.
i. No, he doesnt.
j. My brother is.

B 1.6 Tenses Simple Present & Present Continuous

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Basic Grammar 1.6

ANSWERS: Practice Basic 1.6
Exercise I:

Exercise IV:

1.- goes
2. is taking
3. often listens
4. are writing
5. is making
6. gives
7. is reading
8. grows
9. drinks
10. is running

1.- This book belongs to me.

2. Felix is learning Japanese now.
3. Jim doesnt understand English.
4. It isnt raining now.
5. Matt wants a motorcycle.

Exercise II:
1.- runs
2. orders
3. is lying
4. leaves
5. are taking
6. studies
7. is crying
8. go
9. walks
10. is taking
11. is resting
12. drink
13. travel
14. want
15. speaks

Exercise V:
1. d
2. h
3. b
4. c
5. j
6. g
7. e
8. i
9. a
10. f

Exercise III:
1.- dont
2.- are
3.- arent
4.- is
5.- does
6.- isnt
7.- doesnt
8.- doesnt
9.- do
10.- am not

B 1.6 Tenses Simple Present & Present Continuous

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