2015-08-13
942
Present simple or present continuous?
Compare the uses of the present simple and present continuous:
| We use the present simple: | We use the present continuous: |
| for habitual and repeated events/actions: It rainsa lot here. | for actions in progress at the moment of speaking: Oh no! It's raining! |
| with adverbs of frequency (e.g. always, never), to say how often something happens: I always get upat 6 a.m. | with always, to show that something happens often and is surprising or annoying: I’m always losingmy keys! |
| for situations/states that are true at the present time or usually true (permanent): 1 livein Berlin. My brother goesto college in York. | for situations/states that are true for a limited period (temporary): I’m livingIn Hamburg at the moment.He's doinga work placement this month. |
| for facts that are always true: The sun risesin the east. | for situations/states that are changing: Our summers are gettinghotter. |
Complete the sentences. Use the present simple or present continuous of the verbs in brackets.
0 The bus...... doesn’t stop...... outside the cinema. (not stop)
1 Fiona.............................. today. She’s at home. (not work)
2 The boys are outside. They.............................. in the garden. (sit)
3 I.............................. Spanish very well, but I understood what he said. (not speak)
4 My sister.............................. a lot. She’s got lots of books. (read)
5 Is Emma on the phone to Kate again? She.............................. to her! (always / talk)
6 I.............................. work at seven. (always / start)
7 Who.............................. that awful noise? I can’t stand it! (make)
8.............................. very cold here in the winter? (it / get)
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Circle the correct answer.
A: What’s the matter? (0) Do you get / Are yougetting tired?
B: Yes, a bit. And I’m cold.
A: Have you got a hat? I read somewhere that our body (1) loses /’s losing a lot of heat from the head. And you probably need something to eat. We (2) use / ’re using a lot of energy during exercise. Would you like some chocolate?
B: No, thanks. I (3) never eat/’m never eating chocolate. But I’ll put my hat on!
A: Hi, Ben!
B: Hi, Adam! I haven’t seen you for ages! How are you?
A: I’m fine. I (4) live/’m living in Cardiff for a few months. I (5) help/’m helping my uncle with his new house.
B: Really? My cousin (6) lives /’s living near Cardiff. She (7) works /’s working in a hospital there.
A: There are a lot of new shops near you, aren’t there?
B: Yes, we (8) become / ’re becoming quite trendy! New people (9) move / are moving in and a lot of new shops (10) open / are opening. I like it, but I hate the traffic.
