GRAMMAR - PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE: USES AND FORMATION

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

USES:

- To describe activities which are happening at the moment of speaking. Examples: I am listening to the radio now. They are writing a letter right now. He is doing his homework at the moment.

- To talk about temporary actions. Examples: This week my father is painting the house. This month we are living with my grandparents. This year my brother is studying in Liverpool.

Also: Present Continuous with future meaning → To talk about definite plans in the future (arrangements). Examples: I am having dinner with my friends tonight. He is going to the dentist tomorrow. We are playing an important football match next week.

AFFIRMATIVE SENTENCES	NEGATIVE SENTENCES	QUESTIONS
I am / I’m + V-ing You are / You’re + V-ing He is / He’s + V-ing She is / She’s + V-ing It is / It’s + V-ing We are / We’re + V-ing You are / You’re+ V-ing They are / They’re + V-ing	I am not / I’m not + V-ing You are not / You aren’t +   V-ing He is not / He isn’t + V-ing She is not / She isn’t + V-ing It is not / It isn’t+ V-ing We are not / We aren’t + V-ing You are not / You aren’t+ V-ing They are not / They aren’t + V-ing	Am I + V-ing? Are you + V-ing? Is he + V-ing? Is she + V-ing? Is it + V-ing? Are we + V-ing? Are you + V-ing? Are they + V-ing?

1. SPELLING RULES:  

-       General rule: For most verbs, add -ing.  Do → doing, watch → watching, open → opening,  play → playing.

-       Verbs ending in mute  –e: e + -ing.  Make → making, write → writing, take → taking.

-       One-syllable verbs ending in a C+V+C (except “w” “x” “y”): Double consonant + –ing.  Run → running.

-       Verbs ending –ie: Change –ie to –y + -ing. Die → dying, lie → lying.

-       Two-syllable verbs ending in a stressed vowel + a consonant: Double consonant + -ing. Begin → Beginning. But: travelling.

GRAMMAR - PRESENT SIMPLE TENSE: USES AND FORMATION

SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE

USES:

- To talk about habits. Examples: I go to school. They have lunch at two o’clock. He studies hard.

- To talk about permanent actions. Examples: You live in Logroño. She works in an important factory.

AFFIRMATIVE	NEGATIVE	INTERROGATIVE	SHORT ANSWERS
S + V + Cs	S + do not / don’t + V + Cs	Do + S + V + Cs?	Yes, S + do / No, S + don’t.
Examples: I read a book. They sing a song.	Examples: I do not / don’t  read a book. They do not / don’t  sing a song.	Examples: Do I read a book? Do they sing a song?	Examples: Yes, I do. / No, I don’t. Yes, they do. / No, they don’t.
3rd p. sg.: HE, SHE, IT* S + V-s + Cs	3rd p. sg.: HE, SHE, IT S+ does not / doesn’t + V + Cs	3rd p. sg.: HE, SHE, IT Does + S + V + Cs?	3rd p. sg.: HE, SHE, IT Yes, S + does / No, S + doesn’t.
Examples: He reads a book. She sings a song.	Examples: He does not / doesn’t  read  a book. She does not / doesn’t  sing a song.	Examples: Does he read a book? Does she sing a song?	Yes, he does. / No, he doesn’t. Yes, she does. / No, she doesn’t.

* SPELLING RULES:

1.    General rules: Most verbs add –s. Examples: read → reads, write → writes, open → opens, play → plays.

2.    Verbs ending in –s, -sh, -ch, -x, -z,  -o → -es. Examples: kiss → kisses, wash → washes, watch → watches, go → goes.

3.    Verbs ending in consonant + y → y –ies. Examples: study → studies, tidy → tidies.

VOCABULARY - SPORT COLLOCATIONS: PLAY, GO, DO

VERBS	USE	EXAMPLES
PLAY	+ ball sports	Football, basketball, golf, hockey, rugby, tennis, badminton, cricket
GO	+ sports and activities ending in “-ing”	Cycling, riding, jogging, dancing, surfing, swimming, snowboarding, sailing, camping
DO	+ other sports and activities	Athletics, judo, aerobics, karate, yoga, gymnastics, ballet, exercise

VOCABULARY EXERCISE

Complete the sentences with the correct form of  PLAY, GO, OR DO:

I _______ swimming	Tim _______ football
You _______ volleyball	Ann _______ cycling
Mike _____ snowboarding	I _______ golf