In depth description about present simple and continuous with examples.

1. Present simple
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2. The Simple Present Tense
Expresses a habit or often repeated action. Adverbs of frequency such as,
often, seldom, sometimes, never, etc. are used with this tense.
She goes to work everyday.
They always eat lunch together.
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3. I go to the gym every day of the week.
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4. The Simple Present Tense
This tense also expresses general truths or
facts that are timeless.
Snow falls in December in Minnesota.
Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
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5. Present Simple: POSITIVE
• I get up at 6 o’clock every day.
• You have a shower every evening.
• We write a test once a month.
• They go to the shops twice a week.
• He plays hockey every afternoon.
• She watches TV every evening.
• It sleeps by day.
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6. Present Simple Spelling 3rd
person
• Words ending with Ch, sh, o, ss, x: add es
• Watches, washes, goes, misses, boxes
• Words ending in y preceded by a
consonant:
• Change to “ies” carry > carries
• Words ending in y preceded by a vowel:
• add “s” play > plays
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7. QASI Open questions
(Question word) Auxiliary Subject Infinitive
How often Rob Novis 2013
I, you, we, Go to the
Quanto spesso
they store?
Which sport
Quale sport
What He, she, it Live?
cosa
Where / Like?
when
Dove/ quando
Who chi
Why perchè
What kind of
music che tipo di Rob Novis 2013
musica

8. Examples
Question Auxiliary subject infinitive
word
What does it (the produce?
company)/
What does the company specialize in
products
How many does It Have?
employees
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9. ASI closed questions
Auxiliary subject infinitive
Do I,You, we, Live in
they Parma?
Does He, she It Live in
Reggio
Short answers
Yes, I do. No, I don’t.
Yes , we do. No, we they don’t.
Yes, they do. No, they don’t.
Yes, you do. No, you don’t.
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Rob Novis 2013 No, he doesn’t.
No, she doesn’t.
No, it doesn’t.

10. SANI Negatives
Subject auxiliary negative Infinitive
I Do Not Live in rome.
you Do
He/She/It Does
We Do
You (voi) Do
They do

11. SANI Contractions
Subject Auxiliary infinitive
negative
I, you, we, they don’t live in Rome
He she it doesn’t live in Rome
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12. The Present Progressive
She is eating a burger.
He can’t talk. He is fixing the sink right now.
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13. The Present Progressive
The present progressive can also be used to describe an action that is
occurring in the present, but is temporary.
John is living in Modesto, but he might move soon.
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14. Present Continuous: POSITIVE
! now, at the moment !
• I am teaching.
• You are listening.
• We are studying.
• They are sitting.
• He is writing.
• She is dancing.
• It is swimming.
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15. Present Continuous: NEGATIVE
• I am not teaching.
• You aren’t listening.
• We aren’t studying.
• They aren’t sitting.
• He isn’t writing.
• She isn’t dancing.
• It isn’t swimming.
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16. QASing Open questions
(Question Auxiliary Subject Verb +
word) ing
What am I Doing?
Where Are You, we, Eating?
they
Why is He she it Going?
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17. Examples
Question Auxiliary Subject Verb + ing
word
What is it (the Producing
company)/ this week?
What is the company Making in
products this period?
What time Are The people coming?
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18. ASing Closed questions
Auxiliary Subject Verb + ing
Am I Making sense?
Are You, we, they Learning English?
is He, she, it Working on a project?
Short answers
Yes, I am No I’m not
Yes , we are. No, we aren’t
Yes, they are. No, they aren’t.
Yes, you are. No, you aren’t.
Yes, he is. No, he isn’t.
Yes, she is. No, she isn’t.
Yes, it is. No, it isn’t.
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19. Present simple/continuous
Spelling 3° person s Spelling p. continuous
• sit • sit
• Sits • Sitting
• Carry • Carry
• carries • carrying
• Play • Play
• Plays • Playing
• Lie • Lie
• Lies • Lying
• Ch, sh, ss, o, x, add es
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20. Meaning
PRESENT SIMPLE PRESENT CONTINUOUS
• LONG TERM • TEMPORARY
SITUATIONS SITUATIONS
• I work in Reggio Emilia • I’m working in Reggio for
• ROUTINES two weeks.
• I usually go to the gym on • ACTIONS IN
Mondays. PROGRESS
• STATE VERBS • I’m working out at the
• I Believe in God gym now.
• ACTION VERBS
• I want an ice cream
• I’m going to church.
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• I’m dying of hunger.

21. State Verbs
• Some verbs are not • MENTAL PROCESSES.
• believe, feel, remember, realize,
normally used in their understand, know, suspect.
continuous form. They • I understand pres. Simple.
describe states that stay • EMOTIONAL STATES
• love, want, prefer, doubt,
the same rather than • I want a dog.
actions or events that • SENSES
change. • smell, hear, see, taste
• This wine tastes good
• POSSESSIONS
• Have, own, belong
• I have a Vespa
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22. exceptions
• I love going to the cinema • I smell something burning
• Feeling • Sense
• I'm loving it (Mc Donald's
slogan • My baby was smelling a
• Emphasis flower
• I think you should see a doctor • Activity
• Opinion • I have a Vespa
• I'm thinking of changing my flat (possession)
• trying to reach a decision • I’m having a party next
week. (activity)
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