Present Simple and Present Continuous

Many students (especially from Latin America) have problems in choosing the correct form of the verb when we
talk about the present. Such problems arise because they translate from Spanish to English directly without
paying attention to the communicative uses.
Structure differences
Present Simple:
Maria plays tennis at the weekends
She doesnt study French.
How many children do they have?
Remember:
In positive we use two conjugations. One is the simple form and the other is the s form (play/plays)
In negative sentences we use the auxiliaries dont and doesnt and the verb is ALWAYS in the simple form.
(She doesnt work)
In the question form we use auxiliaries do and does and also the verb goes in the simple form. The subject goes
in between the auxiliary and the verb. (Do you work here?)
Present continuous
Maria is playing tennis.
She isnt studying.
What are they doing?
Remember:
When we construct the present continuous we use the verb to be. Therefore we DO NOT USE auxiliaries do,
does, dont or doesnt.
Use the ing form after the verb to be.
USES COMPARISON
Present Simple Present Continuous
Routines / Habits : Maria smokes Actions happening NOW: Maria is smoking
Permanent Actions: Pedro lives in Sevilla Temporary actions: Juan is staying at the Marriot
Current facts/truths: I have two brothers hotel.
Exercises:
Fill in the blanks with am/is/are/do/dont/does/doesnt
1. Excuse me _____ you speak English?
2. Have a cigarette. No, thank you. I _____ smoke.
3. Why ____ you laughing at me?
4. What ____ she do? Shes a dentist.
5. I ____ want to go out. It ____ raining.
6. Where ____ you come from? From Canada.
7. How much ____ it cost to send a letter to Canada?
8.I cant talk to you at the moment. I ____ working.
9. George is a good tennis player but he _____ play very often.
Put the verb in present continuous or present simple
1. Excuse me, ______________ (you/speak) English?
2. Tom _________________ (have/shower) at the moment.
3. They _____________ (not/watch) television very often.
4. Listen! Somebody _______________ (sing)
5. Shes tired. She ____________ (want) to go home.
6. How often ____________________ (you/read) a newspaper?
7. Excuse me, but you __________________ (sit) in my place. Oh Im sorry.
8. Im sorry. I ___________________ (not/understand). Please speak more slowly.
9. Where are you Roy? I am in the office. I ___________________ (read)
10. What time __________________ (she/finish) work every day?
11. You can turn off the radio. I _____________________ (not listen) to it.
12. He ____________________ (not/usually/drive) to work. He usually ________ (walk)

EJERCICIOS EN LINES / TAREA

 http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/simcon1.htm
http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/66.html
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/tenses/simple_present_progressive2.htm
http://www.speakspeak.com/html/d3a001_grammar_beginners_present_simple_continuous.htm
http://a4esl.org/q/h/vm/sp_or_pc.html

Quiz: Present Simple or Progressive

Instructions: Choose the correct verb form.
View: As a Printable Handout
http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/66.html

Q1 - I ____ a great time on this holiday.

have
am having
Either could be used here.
Q2 - She's Italian- she ____ from Pisa.
comes
is coming
Either could be used here.
Q3 - '_____ your meal?' 'Yes, it's very good.'
Are you enjoying
Do you enjoy
Either could be used here.
Q4 - Many scientists believe global warming ____.
really happens
is really happening
Either could be used here.
Q5 - This term, I ____ Latin.
study
am studying
Q6 - ____ to see us next month?
Do you come
Are you coming
Either could be used here.
Q7 - Let me know when you ____ this letter.
receive
are receiving
Either could be used here.
Q8 - They ____ to do it now.
want
are wanting
Either could be used here.
Q9 - I _____ it.
 don't understand
am not understanding
Either could be used here.
Q10 - Water ____ at a hundred degrees.
boils
is boiling
Either could be used here.
Q11 - Smoking _____ cancer.
causes
is causing
Either could be used here.
Q12 - I ____ a lot of progress at the moment.
make
am making
Either could be used here.
Q13 - It _____ me a lot at the moment.
worries
is worrying
Either could be used here.
Q14 - Don't pay attention- he ____ stupid.
is just
is just being
Either could be used here.
Q15 - I ____ up at seven o'clock on weekdays.
get
am getting
Either could be used here.
Q16 - He _____ silly questions.
always asks
is always asking
Either could be used here.

Click here for the answer sheet

http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/66.html