Present Simple vs

Present Continuous
Action Stative Verbs

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The Usage of Simple

Present Tense

for permanent states

for habits or actions that happen regularly
for facts and general truths
for generalizations ex: Dogs are loyal
animals.
schedules, timetables, programmes
exclamatory sentences with: Off / Here /
There/ etc

Examples

Tom works at 20th Century Fox as a film

editor.
Jane never skips brushing her teeth every
morning.
Pluto is a dwarf planet in the Kuiper belt.
His favourite TV program, American Ninja
Warrior, starts at seven p.m.
Off he goes!

The Usage of
Present Continuous Tense
for actions happening at the moment
of speaking
for temporary states
for describing changing or developing
situations around the present time
for future arrangements

Examples
I can hear that she is singing in the
shower.
I am sleeping in the living room tonight
because I am a guest in my friends home.
She is losing weight gradually as she is on
a diet.
They are meeting at the bar tonight.

PRESENT SIMPLE VS PRESENT

CONTINUOUS
TIME EXPRESSIONS
Present Simple

Present Continuous

Time Expressions:
-always, often, usually,
never, etc.
-every day/week, etc.
in the morning/spring,
etc.
- at the
weekend/weekends;
---once/twice/three
times a week/day, etc.
-on Mondays/Monday
morning, etc.

Time Expressions:
- now, at present, at the
moment,
- today, these days, this
week/year, etc.
- next week/year, etc.
- tonight, tomorrow, etc.

STATE & ACTION VERBS

In English, there are verbs that are NOT normally used in
progressive tenses because they describe a state rather than an
action. They are calledstate verbs
( or stative verbs,non-progressive verbs).
- verbs of the senses: see, feel, hear, smell, taste, notice,
seem, look, appear, sound
- verbs of emotion: like, dislike, love, hate, want, need, prefer,
mind
- verbs of perception and opinions: know, agree, disagree,
find, mean, think (=believe), understand, remember, forget,
imagine, hope, believe, mean,
- verbs that show possession: have ( = possess), own, belong,
contain, include

State
&Verbs
Action
State
Action
Verbs
Verbs

However, the verbs which describe an action can be used in

progressive tenses. These verbs are called action verbs.
Some verbs can be bothstateandaction verbsdepending
on their meaning.
think ( = consider )
see ( = meet, visit )
have ( = drink, eat, taste )
taste ( = try food )
feel ( = touch )
smell
expect
appear
look
The verbs see, hear, smell, taste and feel are commonly used
with CAN to indicate an action happening now.
Ex: I can hear a strange noise coming from the kitchen.

think (state) = have an opinion I think that coffee

is great!
think (action) = have in my mind I'm thinking
about my next holiday.
see (state) = understand I see what you mean.
= see with your eyes I see her now, she's coming
along the road.
see (action) = meet I'm seeing Robert tomorrow.
have (state) = own I have a car.
have (action) = part of an expression I'm having a
party / a picnic / a bath / a good time / a break.

taste (state) = has a certain taste The tea tastes

really bitter.
taste (action) = the action of tasting The chef is
tasting the soup.
('taste' is the same as other similar verbs such
as 'smell')
feel (state) = think I feel that you are wrong.
feel (action) = touch She is feeling the soft fabric
of the dress.
expect (state) = hope,believe He expects
everyone to be truthful.
expect (action) = wait for We are expecting guests

look (state) = describe the appearance You look

wonderful!
look (action) = view They are looking at the
picture.
appear (state) = seem The patient appears to be
recovering
appear (action) = give a performance Stromae is
appearing on stage next week.