Present Simple / Continuous

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 3

Present Simple or Present Continuous?

Present Simple

"I always cycle to school"

"Cows don't eat meat"

"Does your mother understand Spanish?"

Time expressions: always, every day, often, regularly, usually, sometimes, hardly ever, never, ...

Present Simple

"I always cycle to school" (routines / habits)

"Cows don't eat meat" (facts / general truths)

"Does your mother understand Spanish?" ('stative' verbs: understand, want, need, etc.)

Time expressions: always, every day, often, regularly, usually, sometimes, hardly ever, never, ...

Present Continuous

"I am teaching English"

"My sister is learning French"

"Students are getting smarter"

"Jessie is always biting her nails"

Time expressions: right now, at the moment, this week, ... 

Present Continuous

"I am teaching English" (action happening now)

"My sister is learning French" (temporary situation)

"Students are getting smarter" (changing / developing situation)

"Jessie is always biting her nails" (annoying habit, usually with 'always')

Time expressions: right now, at the moment, this week, ... 

Present Simple

Present Continuous

Habit

Action happening now

Temporary situation

verb: "believe"

Changing situation

Facts

At this moment, I __________ (prepare) dinner.

The population of the Netherlands ____________ (grow) steadily.

Did you know that the earth ___________ (revolve) around the sun?

Now, work!

Student's Book p. 6-7: exercises 2, 3, 4, 5