Simple Present Tense and Present Progressive Simple Present

Simple Present Tense and Present Progressive

Simple Present I You We They He She (It) work and go to school. works and goes to school.

When to use the Simple Present Tense?

1. Habits: activities that you do again and again. Tony always has cereal for breakfast. Every summer, we go to the beach. Alan cleans his house once a week.

2. Schedule Events: This ESL class starts at 8: 00 and finishes at 11: 00. The club meets every Friday. My train leaves at noon.

3. General Truth: ESL classes are free at Mt. SAC. It rains a lot in Seattle. A hurricane causes destruction when it reaches land.

4. Scientific Facts: Iceland has more than 100 volcanoes. Some trees lose their leaves in winter. Bees gather nectar from flowers.

5. Definitions: What does witty mean? “Witty” means humorous.

6. Non-action Verbs: I understand English grammar. Steven adores his family. We need to review non-action verbs. See appendix A-4 in your book for the list of non-action verbs.

7. Frequency Adverbs: Peter seldom comes late. It hardly ever rains in southern California during the summer. always, almost always, usually, often, frequently, generally, sometimes, occasionally, seldom, rarely, hardly ever, almost never, never

Time Markers l l l l always almost always usually often frequently generally sometimes occasionally l l l l seldom rarely hardly ever almost nevery (hour, day, week, summer, semester, year) once a (day, week, month, semester, year)

Present Progressive am is + Present Participle (working, studying, eating, sitting) are

When to use the Present Progressive?

1. For activities that are happening at the exact time the speaker is talking: Look! It’s raining. We are reviewing the present progressive.

2. For activities that are in progress, but not happening at the exact moment the speaker is talking: Jane is looking for a cheap car. They are thinking of moving.

3. Some non-action verbs can be used in the present progressive: We are having a great time. Mark is looking for his car keys. Tony is seeing Carol. (dating) The chef is tasting the soup. She is thinking about her family.

Time Markers l l l l l now right now at this moment at the present these days nowadays constantly this (week, month, winter, semester, year) always (for repeated actions)

Some non-action verbs that refer to physical condition can be used in the simple present or present progressive with no difference in meaning. l l l I don’t feel well. My leg hurts. My head aches. l l l I’m not feeling well. My leg is hurting. My head is aching.

Present Tenses l Simple Present Tense: 1. Habits 2. Schedule Events 3. General Truth 4. Scientific Facts 5. Definitions 6. Non-action Verbs 7. Frequency Adverbs 8. Physical Condition l Present Progressive: 1. Activities in progress at the exact moment the speaker is talking 2. Activities in progress but are not happening at the exact time the speaker is talking 3. Physical Condition