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, believe 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')

I am going out tonight (plans)

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

What is the difference between 'stative verbs' and 'action verbs'

At this moment, I __________ (prepare) dinner.

The population of the Netherlands ____________ (grow) steadily.

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

She______(prefer) tea over coffee

This car _____(belong) to his mother

I____(see) what you mean.

Now review 1.3 Stative verbs on pg 161-163

Pay attention to the exceptions of using present continuous  with the stative verbs

When can we use 'present continuous' with stative verbs

1. I_____ we should meet at 11 tonight.(Think)
2. A:Where is Sarah?
B: She _________ of ways to improve the project in her office.(Think)

Now work!

Finish the Grammar exercises on pg. 9 

Homework

Read Gram Ref Unit 1.4-1.6 (p162-163)

Finish pp 8-9 (Vocabulary and Grammar)