This document provides instruction on using the present simple and present continuous tenses in English. It begins by listing situations where each tense would be used, such as using the present simple for general truths and the present continuous for ongoing actions. Examples are then given to illustrate the different uses. A table is included for the reader to fill in time expressions commonly used with each tense. The document concludes with exercises for the reader to practice identifying the correct tense to use in questions and short dialogues. The overall purpose is to teach English learners the key differences between and appropriate uses of the present simple and present continuous tenses.

1. Let’s see how it works!

15. 1. We use the [simple present/present continuous] for things that are generally true or always
happen.
2. We use the [simple present/present continuous] with adverbs of frequency (always, usually,
sometimes, hardly ever, never)
3. We use the [simple present/present continuous] for things that are happening now.
4. We use the [simple present/present continuous] to say what people are wearing.
5. We use the [simple present/present continuous] for temporary things.
6. We use the [simple present/present continuous] to describe a picture.

16. 1. We use the simple present for things that are generally true or always happen.
1. We use the simple present with adverbs of frequency (always, usually, sometimes, hardly ever,
never)
2. We use the present continuous for things that are happening now, at this moment.
3. We use the present continuous to say what people are wearing.
4. We use the present continuous for temporary things.
5. We use the present continuous to describe a picture.

20. Let’s review
Present Simple and
Present Continuous
20
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21. 21
Study the sentences and complete the table in the next slide with time
expressions we use with the tenses below.
PRESENT SIMPLE PRESENT CONTINUOUS
Ella lives in Paris with her partner.
She likes this city very much.
Joan is living with her parents right now because
she is looking for a flat.
What does Mark do? He works as a personal
assistant at an international company.
What are Paul and Mary doing at the moment?
They are working in the garden.
On Sundays, we usually go for a long walk and
eat dinner at our favourite restaurant.
We are not going to a restaurant today because
Emma is cooking dinner.
I don’t use public transport. I drive to work every
day.
I’m not driving to work this week because my car
has broken down.
The average child smiles up to 400 times a day. Look! She is smiling at you.

22. 22
Complete the table with more time expressions used with Present
Simple and Present Continuous.
TIME EXPRESSIONS
Present Simple never, often, once a month, ….
Present Continuous now, this month, …..

23. 23
Let’s see what should be in the table.
TIME EXPRESSIONS
Present Simple never, often, once a month,
Present Continuous now, this month,
on Sundays, usually, every day
right now, at the moment, today, this week

24. 24
1. On Sundays, we usually go for a long walk and eat dinner at our
favourite restaurant.
a. It happens regularly.
b. It doesn’t happen regularly.
2. I’m not driving to work this week because my car has broken down.
a. It’s a permanent situation.
b. It’s a temporary situation.
3. Look! She is smiling at you.
a. It’s a situation happening at the time we are speaking.
b. It’s a situation that happens regularly.
For each point below, choose the sentence (a or b) which is true.

25. 25
4. The average child smiles up to 400 times a day.
a. It’s a fact.
b. It’s a changing situation.
4. Joan is living with her parents right now because she is looking for a flat.
a. It’s a permanent situation.
b. It’s a temporary situation.
For each point below, choose the sentence (a or b) which is true.

26. 26
1. A: Mum, what ………………………………………… you ………………………………………… (do)?
B: I ………………………………………… (cook) your favourite dish.
1. A: …………………… you ………………………………………… (like) reading crime stories, Joe?
B: I ………………………………………… (love) them! Can you recommend any?
A: Yes, I ………………………………………… (read) a really good one now. I’ll lend it to you
when I finish it.
1. A: What …………………… Mia ………………………………………… (do) after work today?
B: She ………………………………………… (go) to a yoga class.
A: Really? …………………… she ………………………………………… (enjoy) yoga?
doing
am cooking
like
Do
doing
am reading
love
is
is going
enjoying
are
Complete the dialogues with the correct form of the verbs in brackets.
is

27. 27
4. A: Can I help you?
B: Yes, please. I ………………………………………… for (look) a winter coat.
A: We ………………………………………… (have) a lot of winter coats. This one is our bestseller.
B: Actually, it ………………………………………… (not be) my favourite colour. Can you show me
a different one?
5. A: The printer ………………………………………… (not work). What should I do?
B: Call the IT department.
isn’t working
am looking
have
isn’t
Complete the dialogues with the correct form of the verbs in brackets.

28. Let’s see if you’re good at
spotting mistakes!

29. 29
1. What do you usually do in your free time?
2. What book do you read this month?
3. How often are you studying English?
4. What time do you go to bed every night?
5. What does your best friend do right now?
6. What do you wear today?
7. How often does it rain in your country?
What book are you reading this
month?
How often do you study English?
What is your best friend doing right now?
What are you wearing today?
Decide whether the questions are in the correct tense. If a question
is incorrect, change it.

30. 30
Discuss the questions from the previous slide.
➔ What do you usually do in your free time?
➔ What book are you reading this month?
➔ How often do you study English?
➔ What time do you go to bed every night?
➔ What is your best friend doing right now?
➔ What are you wearing today?
➔ How often does it rain in your country?

32. It’s time to talk!

33. 33
RULES:
1. Student A uncovers a verb hidden under a box in the next slide.
Then, they toss a coin:
heads = Present Simple, tails = Present Continuous.
2. They ask one question, e.g. they chose the verb ‘work’ and had tails. They
might ask a question such as:
What project are you working on now in your job? Is your partner/brother/mother
working now?
3. Student B answers the question. Then, they ask their question, but now they
have to use the same verb, but with the other tense (Present Simple), e.g. Do
you work at the weekends? Where does your partner work?
4. Student A answers the question.
5. Switch roles. The game starts again, but this time Student B uncovers a verb,
tosses a coin and asks the first question.