We use the present continuous for something happening now. / am speaking to you live means that Kitty is in the middle of a live broadcast. Here are some more examples.
It's raining at the moment.
I'm watching this programme.
Look. That man is taking a photo of you.
PRESENT SIMPLE
We use the present simple for repeated actions. / often speak live to the camera means that she does it again and again.
It always rains at the weekend.
I watch television most weekends.
He's a photographer. He takes lots of photos.
B Thoughts, feelings and states
We normally use the present simple to talk about thoughts and feelings.
/ think it's a good programme. Kitty likes her job. We also use it to talk about states (see Unit 7) and permanent facts.
Reporting means a lot to her. Paper burns easily. We also use the present simple in I promise, I agree, I refuse, etc.
I promise I'll write to you. It's all right. I forgive you.
C Temporary or permanent?
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
We use the present continuous for a routine or situation that we see as temporary (for a short period).
I'm working at a sports shop for six weeks.
At the moment they're living in a very small flat.
D Always
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
We can use always with the present continuous to mean 'very often', usually with the added meaning of too often'.
Tom is always inviting friends here.
(= He invites them very often.)
I'm always making silly mistakes.
(= I make silly mistakes too often.)
PRESENT SIMPLE
We use the present simple for a routine or situation that we see as permanent.
/ work at a sports shop. It's a permanent job. They live in a very nice flat.
PRESENT SIMPLE
Always with the present simple means 'every time'.
Tom always invites us to stay at Christmas. (= He invites us every Christmas.) / always make silly mistakes in exams. (= I make mistakes in every exam.)
5 Exercises
1 Present continuous or simple? (A-B)
At work Mark is talking to Alan in the corridor. Complete their conversation.
Put in the present continuous or simple of the verbs.
Mark: (►) Are you looking (you / look) for someone?
Alan: Yes, (►) / need (I / need) to speak to Neil. He isn't in his office.
Mark: (1)……………………………. (he / talk) to the boss at the moment.
(2)…………………………….. (I / think) (3)…………………………… (they / discuss) money.
Alan: Oh, right. And what about you? (4)…………………………….. (you / look) for someone too?
Mark: Yes, Linda. (5)................................................ (you / know) where she is?
Alan: Oh, she isn't here today. She only (6) (work) four days a week.
(7) ................. (she / not / work) on Fridays. She'll be here on Monday.
Mark: Thank you. (8).................................................... (you / know) a lot about Linda.
Alan: Well, most days (9)................................................. (I / give) her a lift,
2 Normally ......................... (I / start) work at eight o'clock,
but ................... (I / start) at seven this week. We're very busy at the moment.
3 I haven't got a car at the moment, so.......................................................... (I / go) to work on the bus this week.
Usually (I / drive) to work.
4 The sun (rise) in the east, remember. It's behind us so
......... (we / travel) west.
5 I'm afraid I have no time to help just now........................................................... (I / write) a report. But
.......................... (I / promise) I'll give you some help later.
6 .................... (I / want) a new car......................................................... (I / save) up to buy one.
3 Always (D)
Complete the sentences. Use always and the present continuous or simple.
► Melanie: Tom talks too much, doesn't he?
Rita: Yes, and he's always talking about football.
► Laura: You forget your keys every time.
Trevor: I try to remember them, but / always forget.
1 Claire: Sarah takes the train every day, doesn't she?
Mark: Yes,.................................................................................................................................................. the train.
2 Vicky: Rachel misses lectures much too often in my opinion.
Emma: I agree............................................................................................................................................ lectures.
3 Mike: Every time I drive along here, I go the wrong way.
Harriet: But it's very simple, isn't it? Why.......................................................................................... the wrong way?
4 David: Trevor and Laura argue much too often, I think.
Melanie: I know....................................................................................................................................................