Notes on Present Simple and Present Continuous

Introduction

• Presented by Arnel
• Focus on Present Simple and Present Continuous tenses
• These tenses are used for present, future, and even past contexts.

Basics of Formation

Present Simple

• Structure: Base verb (e.g., play, eat, smile, go)
• Third Person: Special form (he/she/it)
  • Example: He plays, She eats

Present Continuous

• Structure: Be form + verb-ing (e.g., am playing, are eating)
  • Example: I am playing, You are eating

Usage of Present Simple

When to Use

• Facts: Statements that never change
  • Examples:
    • My name is Arnel.
    • Apples grow on trees.
    • Chickens lay eggs.
• Habits and Routines: Regular actions or permanent situations
  • Examples:
    • I always put milk in my coffee.
    • My son has soccer club every Friday.

Not Used For:

• Present Continuous is not used for habits, routines, or permanent situations.

Usage of Present Continuous

When to Use

• Actions Happening Now:
  • Examples:
    • Now I am talking to you.
    • You are listening to this lesson.
• General Present Period Activities:
  • Example: I am helping my sister find a new apartment.
• Describing Pictures: Use in English exams when describing what is happening in a picture.

Negatives and Questions

Present Simple Negatives

• Structure: Add "not" after be or use do/does + not + base verb
• Examples:
  • I am not a teacher.
  • David isn't my neighbor.
  • I do not work from home.

Present Simple Questions

• Structure: Be + subject or Do/Does + subject + base verb
• Examples:
  • Are you a teacher?
  • Do you work from home?

Present Continuous Negatives

• Structure: Add "not" after be
• Example: I am not fixing the sink.

Present Continuous Questions

• Structure: Be + subject + verb-ing
• Example: Are we driving to California?

Comparison of Tenses

• Present Simple: For permanent situations or facts
• Present Continuous: For temporary situations or actions happening now.
• Example:
  • Present Simple: I work in a bank (permanent).
  • Present Continuous: I am working in a bank (temporary).

Stative Verbs

Definition

• Verbs that describe states rather than actions (e.g., know, like, believe).
• Not used in continuous forms.
• Examples:
  • I know Tom.
  • I like mangoes.

Complaints with Present Continuous

Use of Adverbs

• Use present continuous with adverbs like always, constantly, forever to emphasize complaints.
• Example:
  • My colleague is always playing games on her phone.

Future Usage

Present Simple for Future

• Used for fixed, scheduled events that cannot be changed.
• Examples:
  • Our train leaves at 8 tomorrow.
  • The bank opens at 9.

Present Continuous for Future

• Used for arrangements that have been organized.
• Examples:
  • I am meeting Sandra later.
  • We are moving on the 5th.

Past Usage

Using Present Tenses in Storytelling

• Present Simple and Present Continuous can pull the listener into the moment when telling stories.
• Example:
  • "I walk into the office..."

Conclusion

• Mini Reviews of Usage:
  • Present Simple for facts, habits, routines, permanent situations, and stative verbs.
  • Present Continuous for actions happening now, temporary situations, and complaints.

Additional Resources

• Reference to a video on stative verbs.
• Suggestion for further questions on tenses.