The document discusses the present simple tense and present continuous tense in English. It provides examples of how each tense is used to express habitual or repeated actions (present simple) versus temporary actions happening now (present continuous). It also covers the formation, meaning, and exceptions of these tenses.

1. Present simple
Rob Novis 2013

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.
Rob Novis 2013

3. I go to the gym every day of the week.
Rob Novis 2013

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.
Rob Novis 2013

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.
Rob Novis 2013

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
Rob Novis 2013

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
Rob Novis 2013

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.
Rob Novis 2013
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
Rob Novis 2013

12. The Present Progressive
She is eating a burger.
He can’t talk. He is fixing the sink right now.
Rob Novis 2013

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.
Rob Novis 2013

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.
Rob Novis 2013

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.
Rob Novis 2013

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?
Rob Novis 2013

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?
Rob Novis 2013

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.
Rob Novis 2013

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
Rob Novis 2013

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.
Rob Novis 2013
• 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
Rob Novis 2013

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)
Rob Novis 2013