Present tense contrast
Present Simple vs. Present Continuous
Present tense contrast
Present Simple vs. Present Continuous
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Autor: Mgr. Svatava Spurná
Datum vytvoření VM: 21. 8. 2013
Ročník: 1. - 4.
Tematická oblast: Gramatika/ Grammar
Předmět: Anglický jazyk
Obsah: Prezentace shrnuje základní použití přítomného
prostého (Present Simple) a přítomného průběhového
(Present Continuous) času a rozdíl mezi stavovými
(state) a dynamickými (dynamic) slovesy. Prezentace
je doplněna o dvě komunikativní cvičení, při kterých
dochází k interakci žák-žák, tři individuální cvičení, kde
si žák sám prověří své znalosti a jedno poslechové
cvičení.
Present tense contrast - usage
We use Simple Present
tense to:
talk about facts:
I come from Switzerland.
We use Continuous Present
tense to:
talk about an action that is
happening now:
Peter is doing his homework
at the moment.
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talk about habits and
routines:
I visit my grandparents every
Saturday.
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talk about timetables and
schedules:
The train leaves at 5.30 pm
tomorrow evening.
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describe annoying
behaviour:
My mum is always losing her
car keys.
talk about arrangements in
the future:
I’m going to Edinburgh this
weekend.
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Present Simple
Think about an average Monday. What
do you usually do on Monday?
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carl_Larsson_Summer_Morning_1908.jpg
Present Continuous
Describe the picture, use present continuous tense.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:C_Vianello_Italien_Am_Blumenmarkt_c1900.jpg
State verbs
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A state is in terms of time
undifferentiated and lacks
defined limits.¹
- I love animals
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State verbs are usually
used in simple tenses.
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for example: be, have,
know, want, mean, need,
seem, like, include,
believe, live, stand,
consider, expect, require,
continue, remain,
understand, involve, hope,
support, stay, contain
Dynamic (event) verbs
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An event has a beginning and
an end and that is why
dynamic verbs describe
actions.
- He’s reading a book.
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Dynamic verbs can be used
both in simple and
continuous tenses.
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for example: do, say, get,
make, go, take, come, give,
find, tell, put, leave, ask,
show, call, turn, begin, bring,
write, set, pay, meet,
happen, offer, lose, open,
reach, build
Distinction between state and dynamic verbs
A few examples of verbs used both with
simple and continuous tenses
State
I think she’s beautiful.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Renae_Ayris__Miss_Universe_Sydney_Australia_(7419820216).jpg
Action
He’s thinking
about society.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Systems_thin
king_about_the_society.svg
State
Action
This place looks
wonderful.
The boy is looking
at his mum.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Seychelles_020.JPG
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Infant_looking_at_
shiny_object.jpg
State
The sundae tastes
sweet.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Knickerbocker_glor
y.jpg
Action
They are tasting the
pizza.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pizza_tasting_in_th
e_Roosevelt_Room.jpg
Compare the following sentences
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My iPhone works perfectly.
My iPhone is working perfectly.
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Which party do you support?
Which party are you supporting?
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I live in London.
I’m living in London.
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I enjoy the seaside.
I’m enjoying the seaside.²
Exercises
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Check your progress! Open the following
links and test your knowledge!
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Present Simple or Present Continuous? → cloze
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Present Simple and Present Continuous questions → cloze
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Correct or Wrong? → matching
Listening
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Open the following link and listen to the
song “Yesterday” by Beatles. Write down
at least three typical state verbs that are
used in simple present tense.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WQAl
5nJWHs
Thank you for your
attention!