Present simple and Present continuous

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 1,2

Lesson 1

Present simple and Present continuous 

In this lesson, we will look into the following tenses in English:

Present simple

Present continuous

What do you still remember about these tenses? Go to the next page and fill  in what you know.

Grammar lesson

What can you explain about
Present simple
Present continuous?

Present simple

Have a look at the videos and the slides to see if you remember well what these two tenses are about.

Watch the video about the Present simple.

Present simple and Present continuous

The "present tenses" (tegenwoordige tijd) all describe actions that take place in the present time.

I walk the dog every day.

He is a hard worker.

We are watching the new "James Bond" film.

Present simple and Present continuous

There are different ways of making the present.

The Present Simple and the Present continuous.

I walk the dog every day.

He is a hard worker.

We are watching the new "James Bond" film.

Present simple

The present simple, things that are always happening. 

I walk to school every day.

It always rains in Scotland. 

He loves KFC. (Today and every day)

Present continuous

Present continuous, things that are happening right now. An activity that takes place right this moment. 

I am walking to school.

It is raining cats and dogs.

He is enjoying his dinner.

What is the correct form for Present simple in this sentence?
I .............. at a bank.

1. worked
2. am working
3. used to work
4. work

What is the correct form for Present continuous in the following sentence?
He ............. a new language.

1. learns
2. is learning
3. learned
4. used to learn

Drag the actions to the right box. Actions always happening go in the left box. Actions happening right now go in the right box.

Present simple

Present continuous

I play tennis every week.

He is going to visit his aunt

We are making progress.

She has a new laptop.

My mother learns Spanish online.

My cousin is coming home today.

Well done! 

Now something different, before we go further with more information about the two tenses. 

Go and have a dance together with the bin men from Wolverhampton.

Spelling 

1. fly/try - She flies/tries ...(medeklinker voor y)

2. stay/obey - He stays/obeys .....(klinker voor y)

3. go/do - She does/goes....

4. kiss/push/catch/fix - He kisses/pushes/catches/fishes

Present simple for:

Permanent truths: - Water boils at 100 degrees

Habits:  - Every year we go to France.

Present continuous

The present continuous consists of a form of be followed by the -ing form of a verb (werkwoord). 

I am working

you are working

he/she/it is working

we are working

you are working

they are working

Spelling of the -ing form

1. shop - shopping (stress op klinker: o)

2. transfer - transferring (stress op klinker: e)

3. book - booking (2 klinkers: oo)

4. answer - answering (geen stress op de laatste lettergreep)

5. travel - travelling

6. mail - mailing (2 klinkers: oo)

7. write - writing

8. die/lie - dying/lying

9. panic/picnic/traffic - panicking/picnicking/trafficking

Present continuous:

1. to express what is going on at this moment

     - Look, it is raining

2. for arrangements

     - We are moving next month

3. to express a habit

     - She is always complaining

Now you!

Answer the following multiple choice  questions about the Present simple and the Present continuous

Choose the correct form.

Regular customers ........... a discount.

1. are getting
2. got
3. get

Choose the correct form.

I ............... on Saturdays

1. am not working
2. do not work
3. had not worked

Choose the correct form.

We sometimes ....... out.

1. are eating
2. have been eating
3. eat
4. were eating

Choose the correct answer.

I .............. to London next week.

1. am going
2. went
3. go

Put the verbs (werkwoorden) in box 1 when it is the correct form. Incorrect forms go into box 2.

Correct 

Incorrect 

flys

obeys

shoping

pushes

changeing

lying

mailing

traffiking

Well done!