Present Simple and Present Continuous rules are not complicated. The main thing is how to understand them. Present times in English are the most confusing to learn. It is all about the presence of diverse forms of auxiliary verbs.
General characteristics of the times Present
The system of times in English and in Russian is different. The Russian system of times implies a division into:
- present;
- future;
- past time.
English time is divided not only into:
- present (Present);
- future (Future) ;
- past (Past).
But, also on:
- Simple (simple);
- Perfect (perfect);
- Continuous.
This division is more significant and detailed in English grammar. The complex nuances of action depend on it.
Using Present Simple
So, more details. The rules of Present Simple and Present Coninuous are slightly different. Than? Present Simple is used to characterize ongoing activities on a regular basis. For example, the actions that we perform daily or on a schedule:
- Adults go to work every day. (Adults go to work every day)
- My mother cooks dinner every evening. (My mom cooks dinner every night)
- My sister and I take a shower every morning. (My sister and I take a shower every morning)
Also for scheduled activities:
- The train leaves at 10.30. (The train leaves at 10.30)
- The plain arrives at 9 am. (The plane arrives at 9am)
- The film starts in an hour. (The film will begin in an hour)
Descriptions of natural and weather phenomena:
- The sun rises in the East. (The sun rises in the east)
- The snow falls in winter. (It snows in winter)
Consuming Present Continuous
Present Continuous also characterizes the actions taking place in the present time, but at the current moment or at the time of the conversation.
- I am calling my parents, don't interrupt me! (I call parents, do not distract me!)
- She is not reading a magazine now, you can switch off the light. (She's not reading the magazine now, you can turn off the light)
- Children are doing their homework, switch on the music later, please. (Children do homework, turn on the music later)
Present tenses for the future
This is another nuance that complicates the understanding of English grammar. In fact, to express the future tense, we have Future Simple - the future simple tense. But there are other options. We can use the times Present Simple and Present Continuous. For example, like that. Suggestions in Present Simple, for example: I fly to Moscow next week (I will fly to Moscow next week). Or sentences in Present Continuous, for example: I'm seeing my mate tonight (I go to my friend tonight). As a rule, such constructions have the meaning of the nearest planned future: today, in a day, in an hour.
Present Simple and Present Continuous Table
Schematic representation of the rules often helps in learning. For example, this.
Present Simple and Present Continuous Education Schemes |
| Present |
Simple | 1) Affirmative sentence: Subject + main verb with -s / without; * 2) Negative sentence: Subject + auxiliary verb do / does + not + main verb without ending; 3) Interrogative sentence: Auxiliary verb do / does + subject + main verb without ending. |
Continuous | 1) Affirmative sentence: Subject + auxiliary verb am / is / are + main verb with the ending -ing; * 2) Negative sentence: Subject + auxiliary verb am / is / are + not + main verb with the ending -ing; 3) Interrogative sentence: Auxiliary verb am / is / are + subject + main verb with -ing ending. |
* The ending -s is added to the verb when the subject is in the third person singular: he (he), she (she), it (it). This is the easiest moment.
Exceptions: verbs that are not put in Continuous:
English is rich in various exceptions. Sometimes they are more important than the rule itself. There are verbs in Present Simple and Present Continuous used in different meanings. What are they?
Verbs to indicate feelings and mental activity cannot be set during Continuous, that is, add the -ing ending to them. We can only use them in Simple time.
There are some “verbs of feelings” that can be used in Continuous, but then their lexical meaning will change. For example, the verb "see" is to see. In Present Simple, it will sound like this: I see a lot of wild animals every day, I work at the Zoo. (I see a lot of wild animals every day, I work at the zoo). If we put the same verb into a sentence in Present Continuous, then its meaning will change dramatically: He is seeing his best friend today (He meets his best friend today).
Verb | Simple | Continuous |
see | see - see | seeing - meet |
think | think - think | thinking |
love | love - to love | loving - enjoy |
smell | smell - smell | smelling - smell |
taste | taste - to taste | tasting - taste |
weigh | weigh - have weight | weighing |
Examples of use
These times are very often used in English. Sometimes a short household dialogue can be based only on them.
Kate: Hi! What are you doing?
Evelyn: Hi! I am watching a film!
Kate: What are you watching? I like good comedies!
Evelyn: Me too! I am watching a comedy now!
Kate: My parents prefer horror films. I hate to watch them!
Evelyn: I am going to buy a new DVD now, let's have a "movie evening" today?
Kate: That's great! I like this idea!
Dialog translation:
Kate: Hi! What are you doing?
Evelyn: Hello! I'm watching a movie.
Kate: What are you watching? I love good comedies.
Evelyn: And me! I'm watching comedy now!
Kate: My parents prefer horror movies. I hate to watch them!
Evelyn: I'm going to buy a new CD, let's have a movie night tonight?
Kate: Great!
Use of auxiliary verbs
In English, there are two types of verbs: primary and auxiliary. Schoolchildren are often confused in these concepts. According to the rules of Present Simple and Present Continuous, the main verbs have a lexical and grammatical function. That is, they are translated into Russian and indicate the time, number or person. Auxiliary verbs carry only a grammatical function, they are not translated into Russian, contain the meaning of time, person and number. Auxiliary verb Present Simple - "to do". It has two forms in the present tense: "do" and "does". "Do" is used if the subject is in the plural: they (they), we (we), you (you, you) or the first person, in the singular: I (I). The auxiliary verb "does" is used if the subject is in the third person, in the singular: he (he), she (she), it (it). Auxiliary verb Present Continuous - "to be". In the present tense, he has three forms: "am", "is", "are". "Am" is used with the subject in the first person, singular: I (s); the auxiliary verb "is" is used with the subject in the third person, in the singular: he (he), she (she), it (it); the auxiliary verb "are" is used with the plural: they (they), we (we), you (you, you). Total:
Present Simple and Present Continuous Table:
Affirmative forms |
I am | He is | they are | he does | they do |
| She is | we are | she does | we do |
| It is | you are | it does | you do |
|
I am | He is not / he isn't | they are | he does | they do |
| She is / she isn't | we are | she does | we do |
| It is / itisn't | you are | it does | you do |
Practical part
Try to make offers according to these conditions:
1) Present Simple; negative sentence; Subject in a third person, singular; the main verb is "sleep".
2) Present Continuous; affirmative sentence; Subject in the first person, singular; the main verb is "read".
3) Present Simple; interrogative sentence; subject in the plural; the main verb is "like".
4) Present Continuous; negative sentence; Subject in a third person, singular; the main verb is "play".
5) Present Simple; interrogative sentence; subject in the plural; the main verb is "arrive".
Keys:
1) My brother don't sleep in a daytime. (My brother does not sleep during the day)
2) I'm reading a magazine now. (I'm reading a magazine now)
3) Do they like to swim in the pool? (Do they like to swim in the pool?)
4) She is not playing football, she is playing chess! (She does not play football, she plays chess)
5) When do they arrive? (When do they arrive?)