Simple Present Tense

vs
Present Progressive
(Continuous) Tense
SIMPLE PRESENT VS.
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
When do we use
each tense?
 The Verb Tenses We Will
Cover this Semester
The The The The Modals Gerunds
Simple Present Simple Future Infinitiv
Present Continuo Past Tense es
Tense us Tense Tense
Verb I clean I am I walked I will I can Dancing
s my studying to school meet ride a is fun. I
apartme grammar yesterday you at bike. enjoy
nt on right now. . 5:30. dancing.
Saturday
I am I love to
s.
going dance.
to go
home
after
class.
BE I am tall. They are I was She will You can Being a
Verb being born in be a be teacher
naughty. Michigan. doctor anythin is fun.
in two g you
I want to
years. want.
be a
 The Simple Present
1. Use the simple present tense to write about regular
occurrences (habits, customs, and routines).

I usually meet my aunt for

coffee on Sunday afternoon.

Most Americans eat turkey

on Thanksgiving.
 The Simple Present
2. Use the present simple tense to write about facts.

Chicago has 38 movable

bridges.

The average American uses 8 to

100 gallons of water every day.
The Simple Present Tense
3. Use the simple present tense to write about place of
origin.

I come from Jordan.

I am from Jordan.

I come from Japan.

I am from Japan.
The Simple Present
Tense
4. Use the simple present tense with non-action verbs.

Saori and Samah know

Polish.

Uncle Sam wants you.

The Present Progressive Tense
1. Use the present progressive tense to write about
actions that are happening right now.

Patricia is holding the baby.

Julia is studying.
The Present Progressive Tense
2. Use the present progressive tense to write about a
long action in progress.

My neighborhood is getting
busy.

The glaciers are melting.

The Present Progressive Tense
3. Use the present progressive tense to write about a
temporary action in progress.

I am studying at Moraine
Valley Community College.

My nephew is living with me.

The Present Progressive Tense
4. Use the present progressive tense when you describe
something or someone (a descriptive state).

Which person is Bill Gates?

I think Bill Gates is sitting in

the front wearing a blue
shirt.
The Present Progressive Tense
5. Use the present progressive tense when you write
about a definite plan for the future. In this case you
need a future time expression.

I am having lunch with the

president on Friday.

They are running in the

marathon next week.
Check your understanding.
First, fill in the blank. Then,
check your grammar and your
choice. Finally, give a reason
for your answer.
 Complete the sentences
Practice with the present simple or
present progressive tense
and give a reason for your
choice.

1. Can I call you back in a few minutes?

I _____ dinner right now. (have)
a) am having
b) have
Reason?
This is happening right now. Have is an
action word in this sentence.
Practice

2. I _____ about my mother every day.

(think)

a) am thinking
b) think

Reason?
This is a regular event.
Practice

3. I _____ a Honda Civic. (have)

a) am having
b) have

Reason?
In this sentence have is a nonaction
verb. Have is nonaction when it means
possession.
Practice

4. It _____ a lot in Seattle. (rain)

a) is raining
b) rains

Reason?
This is a regular event or occurrence
(fact).
Practice

5. It is Mothers Day and I _____ about

my mother. (think)

a) am thinking
b) think

Reason?
This is happening right now. Think is an
action word in this sentence.
Practice

6. I _____ you are wonderful. (think)

a) am thinking
b) think

Reason?
Think is a nonaction word when it
means an opinion.
Practice

7. I _____ lunch with the president on

Friday. (have)

a) am having
b) have

Reason?
This is a definite plan for the future.
Practice

8. I _____ a Honda Civic. (have)

a) am having
b) have

Reason?
In this sentence have is a non action
word. Have is nonaction when it means
possession.
Practice

9. I _____ in a hotel while I look for an

apartment. (live)

a) am living
b) live

Reason?
This is a temporary action that is
happening right now.
Practice

10. I _____ in Chicago. (live)

a) am living
b) live

Reason?
This is a state or a fact. (It is not
temporary.)
Practice

11. You _____ tired right now. Perhaps

we should do this later. (seem)

a) are seeming
b) seem

Reason?
Seem is a non action word.
Practice

12. I _____ Kasia is from Poland.

(believe)

a) am believing
b) believe

Reason?
Believe is a non action word.
Practice

13. I dont think Patricia is rich. She

_____ an old Honda Civic. (drive)

a) is driving
b) drives

Reason?
This is a fact or regular activity.
Practice

14. You are lying. I _____ you.

(believe)

a) am not believing
b) dont believe

Reason?
Believe is a non action word.
Practice

15. I _____ three children. (have)

a) am having
b) have

Reason?
This is a fact or state. Have is a
nonaction verb when it is used for
possession.
Practice

16. I _____ a baby in December. (have)

a) am having
b) have

Reason?
This is a definite plan for the future.
Practice

17. Next weekend, Tom _____ camping

with his family. (go)

a) is going
b) goes

Reason?
This is a definite plan for the future.
Practice

18. I _____ cooking. (like)

a) am liking
b) like

Reason?
Like is a nonaction verb.
Practice

19. Rosa _____ to go to an Italian

restaurant tonight. (prefer)

a) is preferring
b) prefers

Reason?
Prefer is a nonaction word.
Practice

20. Abdul _____ the menu for

Saturday. (plan)

a) is planning
b) plans

Reason?
This could be happening right now or it
could be a definite plan for the future.