PRESENT SIMPLE OR CONTINUOUS? grammar

This is a picture for you to understand when to use the present simple or the present continuous and clue words to help you. If you right-click on the picture you can save it to your device. If you want to have it as a PDF document, go to GRAMMAR - Unit 5

PRESENT SIMPLE vs PRESENT CONTINUOUS

We have studied the present simple and the present continuous separatedly, but what about using them together? Do you really know when to use one and when to use the other? Let's have a look at them.

Present simple

It is used to speak about routines, hobbies, things that are always true.

Present continuous
It is used to speak about what is happening now or around now, temporal things or situations.
REMEMBER: there are some verbs which are not used in the continuous: believe, want, love, hate ...

Watch this video where both the present simple and continuous are explained





And now let's see if you understood. Do the following exercises and check your knowledge!!!

Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3
Exercise 4
Exercise 5
Exercise 6
Exercise 7
Exercise 8
Exercise 9
Exercise 10

THE MYSTERY OF OKINAWA

In Okinawa people live a very long time. They are hardly ever ill. Many people live to be 100 – more people than in other parts of the world. Why? What is their secret?
 
Read the text while you listen to it. Then record yourself and compare your recording with the original. This will improve your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills!!

A healthy diet



The Okinawans eat vegetables, fruit, fish, soya, and rice. They usually have seven portions of fruit and vegetables a day. People don’t usually drink much alcohol or smoke. They don’t eat much meat or fast food.

Exercise



Physical activity is very important for the people of Okinawa. Martial arts, walking, traditional dancing, and gardening are very popular with people of all ages.

Low stress



In many countries people have healthy diets and do exercise. But the unusual thing about the people in Okinawa is that they are not stressed. They are relaxed and take their time. Buses are hardly ever on time, and people often arrive an hour late for meetings. Every evening hundreds of people, young and old, go to the beach to watch the beautiful sunset. People often meditate to relax.

Always active



Another important thing is that people often work until they are 80 – sometimes until 90! In the Okinawan dialect there is no word for ‘retired’. They are busy and active all their lives. Old people don’t stay at home – they go out and meet friends.

When journalists ask people ‘What is the secret of your long life?’, they answer ‘We are happy, we are always positive, and we are never in a hurry.’


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TIME AND DAILY ROUTINES

This book will help you practise the times and daily routines. With audio too!! If you want to open it in a new bigger window, click here
NOTE: Be careful when you write, watch your spelling and don't use contractions, if you use contractions or the spelling is wrong (for example, not using capital letters at the beginning of a sentence) you will get it wrong.
Also, it only works on computers and some mobile devices, sorry!

LORRAINE'S ROUTINE

Professor Parker, a stress expert from the University of London, looks at Lorraine's typical day and tries to help…

Lorraine, a single mother, works as a guide at the National Gallery in London and she lives with her son George, aged 9.



6.30
I get up and I make George’s sandwiches. Then I do some housework. Then I wake up George and make his breakfast. I’m always in a hurry and I don’t have time for breakfast at home.

8.00
We cycle to school because the bus is expensive. Then I cycle six miles to work.

9.00
I have a sandwich for breakfast in the canteen, and then I start work. My first tour is usually at 9.30. I like my job but I don’t earn much money and I stand all day.

5.00
I finish work and I go to pick up George at 5.30. We go shopping.

6.30
I cook dinner and help George with his homework. After dinner I do more housework or answer e-mails. I don’t go out in the evening because a babysitter is very expensive.

9.00
George goes to bed and I read him a story. Then I go to bed – I’m really tired!

Professor Parker’s advice:
Have breakfast with your son. Do all the housework in the evening. Don’t cycle, get the bus. It’s important to see other people. Invite a friend for a drink once a week.
______________
*6 miles = 9.8 kilometres
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PRESENT SIMPLE (+) (-) (?)

How do we form a sentence in the present simple? When do we use it? Watch the video and do the activities below.


exercise 1  Complete the sentence with one word.
exercise 2 Click on the words in the right order.
exercise 3
exercise 4 Is there a mistake in the sentence?
exercise 5 Choose the correct answer.
exercise 6 Word order in questions.
exercise 7 Put the words in the correct order.

PRESENT SIMPLE (+) (-)

Let's practise present simple afirmative and negative sentences. How good are you?

Exercise 1 
Exercise 2
Exercise 3  
Exercise 4 
Exercise 5  
Exercise 6
Exercise 7 
Exercise 8