Present continuous or simple?

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

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,

or(10) ................. (she / give) me one. (11) ……………………..(she / live)

quite close to me. (12) ................................................. (it / save) petrol.

Mark: Yes, of course. Good idea. Yes, (13) ..................................................... (1/ agree).

Well, (14)................. (I / waste) my time here then. I'll get back to my computer.

2 Present continuous or simple? (A-C)

Complete the sentences. Put in the present continuous or simple of the verbs.

► I'm writing (I / write) to my parents. / write (I / write) to them every weekend.

1 (it / snow) outside...................................................... (it / come) down quite hard,

look.

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....................................................................................................................................................

Date: 2014-12-22; view: 1719