PRESENT SIMPLE vs. PRESENT CONTINUOUS+STATIVES

PRESENT SIMPLE vs. PRESENT CONTINUOUS

We use the Simple Present for:

1. habits                                            I go fishing every weekend.

2. general truths                               The sun rises in the morning.

3. permanent situations                      I live in Athens.

4. the phrases: Here comes…/There goes… . Here comes the teacher.

5. headlines, commentaries, jokes                 Boy steals 2 million euros.

6. timetables, programmes for the future        The bus leaves at 5.00.

Time expressions: always, frequently, never, usually, often, sometimes, occasionally, rarely, seldom, hardly ever, scarcely ever, every day, once a month, on Saturdays.

We use the Present Progressive for:

1. something happening now.

I’m listening to the teacher now.

2. something happening at present (not necessarily now).

I’m writing a book this year.

3. temporary situations.

I’m staying with my sister until I find a flat.

4. personal arrangements for the near future.

We’re going to Devon this Saturday.

5. changing situations

He's getting taller and taller.

6. with always or constantly to show annoyance or complaint.

You’re always talking in class!

Time expressions: now, at the/this moment, today, this week, at present, these days, still, nowadays, for the time being, currently, tomorrow etc.

Stative Verbs

These are not normally used in continuous tenses.

Senses: hear, see, taste, smell, look, sound, watch, observe

Feeling: love, hate, like, dislike, wish, mind, enjoy, prefer, adore, fear, expect, appreciate, want, pity, desire, detest, (dis)agree, envy,doubt,

Knowledge: know, understand, realise, seem, think, notice, remember, forget, recognise, suspect, remind, suppose, imagine,

Possession: belong, own, possess, have, need, include

Measurement: weigh, measure, cost, hold, contain

OTHER: be ,fit, matter, appear, depend, deserve, care ,concern, owe, impress, promise, please, satisfy surprise

State                                                                            Action

See   I (can)see the ship.                          I’m seeing the doctor tomorrow. (meeting)

taste  The meat tastes delicious.              He’s tasting the meat now. (trying)

smell  The rose smells lovely.                   I’m smelling the fish to see if it’s fresh.

think   I think that’s a good idea.               We’re thinking of changing our jobs.

*have   We have a dog.     (possess)        He’s having a swim now.

weigh The boy weighs 60 kilos.                 She’s weighing the flour.

measure The room measures 14 m2.          * He’s measuring the piece of wood.    * 14 m2 : fourteen square metres

Also: be You are a clever boy.(it’s part of your personality)              He’s being naughty today. (He is behaving)

Expect     We expect he’ll win.                                                She’s expecting twins.

Hold         This bottle holds 2 litres.                                             She is holding 3 glasses.

Feel       The coat feels warm.                             John is feeling much better today.

*Ιδιωματικές εκφράσεις του HAVE :

                                                            breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper etc.

                                                           a shower, a bath, a swim, a party etc.

                                                            an accident, an experience, a dream etc

                                                            a baby

                                                            difficulty, fun, trouble etc