PRESENT SIMPLE
1. 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.
2. TIME EXPRESSIONS:
Adverbs of frequency
(always, generally, usually, often, sometimes, never), on + days of the week in
the plural, every …, once a / twice a / three times a …
ATTENTION!
STATIVE VERBS describe a state rather than an action and they are used in the Present Simple form:
- Emotions and feelings: LOVE, LIKE, DISLIKE, HATE, HOPE, PREFER, WANT
- Thought and opinion: THINK, BELIEVE, FORGET, KNOW, REMEMBER, UNDERSTAND, (DIS)AGREE, MEAN, RECOGNISE, REALISE, SEEM, SUPPOSE
- Perception and senses: SEE, HEAR, FEEL, SMELL, TASTE, SOUND, TOUCH
- Possession: HAVE, OWN, BELONG
- Prices and measures: COST, MEASURE, WEIGH
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
1. 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.
2. TIME EXPRESSIONS:
Now, right now, at the
moment // this week /these days // all the morning/afternoon, evening // today, tomorrow, tonight, next ...
Also: Look! Listen!
