The document explains the use of present simple and present continuous tenses for discussing the present. It details that present simple is used for general truths, regular actions, and specific verbs, while present continuous is for temporary actions and what is happening now. Additionally, it lists verbs that are typically not used in continuous forms and provides examples for clarity.

1. T alking about the P resent

2. T alking about the P resent I f your are talking about the present in general you normally use a present simple tense. Y ou use the present simple for talking about the general present including the present moment. My dad works in Saudi Arabia. He lives in the Swiss Alps near the Swiss border.

3. T alking about the P resent I f your are talking about general truths, you use the present simple. Water boils at 100 degrees centigrade. Love makes the world go round. The bus takes longer than the train.

4. T alking about the P resent I f you are talking about regular or habitual actions, you use the present simple. Do you eat meat? I get up early and eat my breakfast in bed. I pay the milkman on Fridays.

5. T alking about the P resent I f you are talking about something which is regarded as temporary, you use the present continuous. Do you know if she’ s still playing tennis these days? I ’m working as British Council officer.

6. T alking about the P resent I f you are talking about something which is happening now, you normally use the present continuous tense. We ’re having a meeting. Come and join in. Wait a moment. I’m listening to the news.

7. T alking about the P resent T here are a number of verbs which are used in the present simple tense even when you are talking about the present moment. These verbs are not normally used in the present continuous or the other continuous tenses.

8. T alking about the P resent T hese verbs usually refer to: thinking: believe, forget, imagine, know, realize, recognize, suppose, think, understand, want, wish liking and disliking: admire, dislike, hate, like, love, prefer

9. T alking about the P resent appearance: appear, look like, resemble, seem possession: belong to, contain, have, include, own, possess perception: hear, see, smell, taste being: be, consist of, exist

10. T alking about the P resent E xamples I believe he was not to blame. She hates going to parties. Our neighbors have two cars.

11. T alking about the P resent Note: You normally use verbs of perception with the modal ‘can’, rather than using the present simple tense. I can smell gas.

12. T alking about the P resent S ome other common verbs are not normally used in present continuous or the other continuous tenses. concern fit involve mean surprise deserve interest matter satisfy What do you mean ?

13. T alking about the P resent WARNING: Some of the verbs listed can be used in continuous tenses in other meanings. For example, ‘have’ referring to possession is not used in continuous tenses. You don’t say ‘I’m having a car.’ But note the following examples. We’ re having a party tomorrow. She ’s having a shower.

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