Topics

Present Simple.

Use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is repeated or usual. The action can be a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens. It can also be something a person often forgets or usually does not do.

Ø  I play tennis.

Ø  Does he play tennis?

Ø  The train leaves every morning at 8 AM.

Ø  The train does not leave at 9 AM.

Ø  When does the train usually leave?

Ø  She always forgets her purse.

Ø  He never forgets his wallet.

Ø  Every twelve months, the Earth circles the Sun.

Present Progressive

We use the Present Continuous Tense to talk about activities happening now. Examples    The kids are watching TV.    I am sitting down, because I am tired.    I am not learning German, because this is an English class.    Who are you writing to? We can also use the Present Continuous Tense to talk about activities happening around now, and not necessarily this very moment. Examples    Sally is studying really hard for her exams this week.    I am reading a really interesting book now.    How are you brushing up on your English for the trip?    We aren't working hard these days. The Present Continuous Tense is also used to talk about activities happening in the near future, especially for planned future events. Examples    I am seeing my dentist on Wednesday.    Polly is coming for dinner tomorrow.    Are you doing anything tonight?    We aren't going on holiday next week.

Present  Simple. Vs Progressive

Many students (especially from Latin America) have problems in choosing the correct form of the verb when we talk about the “present”. Such problems arise because they translate from Spanish to English directly without paying attention to the communicative uses.

Present Simple

- Maria plays tennis at the weekends
- She doesn’t study French.
- How many children do they have?

Remember:
- In positive we use two conjugations. One is the simple form and the other is the “s” form (play/plays)
- In negative sentences we use the auxiliaries don’t and doesn’t and the verb is ALWAYS in the simple form. (She doesn’t work)
- In the question form we use auxiliaries do and does and also the verb goes in the simple form. The subject goes in between the auxiliary and the verb. (Do you work here?)

Present continuous

- Maria is playing tennis.
- She isn’t studying.
- What are they doing?

Remember:
- When we construct the present continuous we use the verb to be. Therefore we DO NOT USE auxiliaries do, does, don’t or doesn’t.
- Use the “ing” form after the verb to be.

Uses comparison:

Present Simple	Present Continuous
Routines / Habits : Maria smokes	Actions happening NOW: Maria is smoking
Permanent Actions: Pedro lives in Sevilla	Temporary actions: Juan is staying at the Marriot hotel.

Collocatons:

Verbs	For example
Make	To make a baby is necessary have a lot of love.
do	To do good or some good means to do something constructive or helpful.
get	get a shock when was rain.
have	To take action means to act positively and decisively to resolve a problem.