Present Simplr-present Continuous

1 Present simple vs Present Continuous

She (work) as a nurse

She (read) a book

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1 Routines (habits) and frequency - routines and things we do regularly. It normally goes with frequency adverbs. Frequency adverbs go in front of the main verb, after to be or after the auxiliary in negative sentences.

(every day, always, usually, often, sometimes, seldom, hardly ever, never, once / twice a week, occasionally, on Fridays)

Ex: Do you work on Sundays?

1 Moment of speaking - activity taking place at the moment of speaking.

- now: ahora

- right now: ahora mismo

- at the moment: en este momento

- at this moment: en este momento

- at this very moment: en este preciso momento

- currently: actualmente /at present: en el presente, en la actualidad

- These days: hoy en día.

Ex: He is listening to pop music right now.

2. Permanent situations - situations that are generally or permanently true

Ex: He stays at home every day

2. Temporary situations - indicates that the action or activity is temporary rather than permanent.

Ex: He is staying at his friend´s house tonight.

3. Scientific or other facts, universally scientific truths and statistics

Ex: Water boils at 100º Celsius

3. Actions taking place at the present moment although not necessarily at the moment of speaking

Ex: My father is saving up money to buy a new car.

4. Programmes and timetables - in this case present simple can refer to the future

Ex: Local buses leave at 13.00 daily.

4. Slow and gradual changes - current trends and slow changes that are taking place

Ex: More and more people are using the Internet now.

5. With stative verbs (non-action verbs) when describing states rather than actions. They are not normally used in the continuous form.

Verbs of thinking

believe, doubt, guess, imagine, know, realise, suppose, understand, agree

Verbs of the senses

hear, smell, sound, taste

Verbs of possession

belong to, have (meaning possess), own, possess

Verbs of emotion

dislike, hate, like, love, prefer, regret, want, wish, enjoy, hope

Verbs of appearance

appear, seem

Other

contain, depend on, include, involve, mean, measure, weigh, figure, be, forget, matter, need, recognize

5. For future arrangaments or fixed future plans normally accompanied by a definite short-term future time expression.

Ex: She is meeting her boss this evening.

WATCH OUT!

Spelling rules for Present Simple:

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