The document compares and contrasts the simple present and present progressive tenses in English. It lists the infinitive form and form of 'be' plus the verb plus -ing for the present progressive. It provides examples of regular and irregular verbs in both tenses. It notes exceptions for adding -s or -es in the simple present and exceptions for adding -ing in the present progressive. It concludes by contrasting the general versus ongoing nature expressed by each tense and provides signal words that typically accompany each.

1. Simple Present Present Progressive
infinitive form of 'be' and verb +
ing
I speak I am speaking
you speak you are speaking
he / she / it speaks he / she / it is speaking
we speak we are speaking
they speak they are speaking

2. Exceptions
Exceptions when adding 's' Exceptions when adding 'ing'
•After o, ch, sh or s, x, z add es. Silent e is dropped. (but: does not
Example: do - he does, apply for -ee)
wash - she washes Example: come - coming
but: agree – agreeing
•After a consonant, the final
consonant y becomes ie. (but: not •After a short, stressed vowel, the final
after a vowel) consonant is doubled.
Example: worry - he worries Example: sit – sitting
but: play - he plays
•Final ie becomes y.
•Example: lie – lying

3. Simple Present Present Progressive
in general right now
Colin plays football every Tuesday. Look! Colin is playing football now.
Signal words
•always •at the moment
•every ... •at this moment
•often •today
•normally •now
•usually •right now
•sometimes •Listen!
•seldom •Look!
•never
•first
•then