PRESENT SIMPLE VS PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

PRESENT SIMPLE VS PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

Present simple:

The simple present is a verb tense with two main uses. We use the simple present tense when an action is happening right now, or when it happens regularly (or unceasingly, which is why it’s sometimes called present indefinite). Depending on the person, the simple present tense is formed by using the root form or by adding ‑s or ‑es to the end.

EXAMPLE: I feel great! Pauline loves pie. I’m sorry to hear that you’re sick.

The other is to talk about habitual actions or occurrences.

EXAMPLE: Pauline practices the piano every day. Ms. Jackson travels during the summer. Hamsters run all night.

Typically, when we want to describe a temporary action that is currently in progress, we use the present continuos: Pauline can’t come to the phone right now because she is brushing her teeth.

How to Form the Simple Present

In the simple present, most regular verbs use the root form, except in the third-person singular (which ends in -s).

First-person singular: I write

Second-person singular: You write

Third-person singular: He/she/it writes (note the ‑s)

First-person plural: We write

Second-person plural: You write

Third-person plural: They write

For a few verbs, the third-person singular ends with -es instead of -s. Typically, these are verbs whose root form ends in o, ch, sh, th, ss, gh, or z.

First-person singular: I go

Second-person singular: You go

Third-person singular: He/she/it goes (note the ‑es)

First-person plural: We go

Second-person plural: You go

Third-person plural: They go

For most regular verbs, you put the negation of the verb before the verb, e.g. “She won’t go” or “I don’t smell anything.”

The verb to be is irregular:

First-person singular: I am

Second-person singular: You are

Third-person singular: He/she/it is

First-person plural: We are

Second-person plural: You are

Third-person plural: They are

How to Make the Simple Present Negative

The formula for making a simple present verb negative is do/does + not + [root form of verb]. You can also use the contraction don’t or doesn’t instead of do not or does not.

Pauline does not want to share the pie. She doesn’t think there is enough to go around. Her friends do not agree. I don’t want pie anyway.

To make the verb to be negative, the formula is [to be] + not.

I am not a pie lover, but Pauline sure is. You aren’t ready for such delicious pie.

How to Ask a Question

The formula for asking a question in the simple present is do/does + [subject] + [root form of verb].

Do you know how to bake a pie? How much does Pauline love pie?

EXERCISES:

1. I________(play) soccer.

2. She_______(cook) ceviche.

3. He________(look) the paradise.

4. It_________ (not be) a beautiful cat.

5. You________(send) a message.

6.  Carla________(watch) TV.

7. Rodrigo_______(not wash) the dishes.

8. ________(eat) a hamburger?

9. Luis_______(come) early.

10. We________(buy) a book.

HERE YOU HAVE A VIDEO ABOUT THE PRESENT SIMPLE:

PRESENT PROGRESSIVE:

The present progressive is formed by combining the verb “to be” with the present participle.

I am studying.
I am studying with María.

The present progressive can be used to describe what is happening now, or what will happen in the future.

I am studying now.
I am studying with María tonight.

The present progressive is only used to describe an action that is in the process of taking place. It is not used for future actions.

I am studying now.
(use present progressive)

I am studying with María tonight.
(do not use present progressive)

The present progressive combine a form of “TO BE” with the present participle.

I am speaking.

John is eating.

Mary is writing a letter.

To form the present progressive, simply conjugate the verb estar to agree with the subject of the sentence, and follow it with the present participle.

John is eating bread.

Mary and Carmen are speaking with us.

Remember, only use the present progressive for actions that are “in progress.” Compare the uses of the present indicative with the uses of the present progressive.

(Present Indicative)

I study Spanish.
I am studying Spanish (these days).
I do study Spanish.

(Present Progressive)

I am studying (right now, at this moment) English.

EXERCISES:

1. 1. The teacher  the door. (not/to close)
2. 2.  you  the washing-up? (to do)
3. 3.They  the printers. (to check)
4. 4.  your grandmother  at birds? (to look)
5. 5. We  the checkpoint. (not/to pass)
6. 6.  they  to help? (to try)
7. 7. She  to the centre of the town. (not/to walk)
8. 8.  the policemen  into the bank? (to run)
9. 9. Look! Steve's mother  a Frappuccino. (to make)
10. 10. You  the words correctly. (not/to link)
11. HERE YOU HAVE A VIDEO ABOUT THE PRESENT PROGRESSIVE:

NOW, HERE YOU HAVE A VIDEO ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT PROGRESSIVE:

GOOD LUCK!<3