01. Present simple vs present continuous

1. Look at the following sentences and decide whether they should be in the simple or continuous (ing) form. Then, discuss why.
   1. My brother’s always downloading / always downloads TV series, instead of getting on with his work.
   2. I work / am working overtime this month while a colleague is on sick leave.
   3. Someone plays / is playing the piano. Can you hear it?
   4. Did you know that Radiohead comes / is coming from my hometown?
   5. I get / am getting better at recognising classical music.
   6. I take / am taking my Beats everywhere.
2. Match the uses of the present simple and present continuous with examples in activity 1.
   1. A repeated action / habit
   2. A permanent situation / fact
   3. An activity happening at the moment of speaking
   4. An activity in progress, but not at this exact moment
   5. A changing or developing situation
   6. Emphasises repetition of typical (often annoying or surprising) behaviour

The present simple is used to talk about states and habits. There are some irregular verbs, such as ‘to be’ and ‘to have’, but in general, to form it, use the root form of the verb, without ‘to’. For the third person singular (he, she, it), remember to add ‘s’:

1. He is 15
2. He lives in Montreux
3. He doesn’t have any brothers or sisters
4. He comes to school by train

Note: the present continuous is also used to talk about definite future arrangements, when the time reference is given or understood.

Verbs such as BELIEVE, OWN BELONG, LIKE, UNDERSTAND, KNOW, HEAR are not usually used in the continuous form because they describe states, not actions.

Some verbs can be used in both the simple and continuous form with different meanings:

1. I see what you mean (see = understand)
2. I’m seeing her next week (see = meet)
3. Look at the pairs of sentences and say why the speaker has used the present simple or continuous in each case
   1. I have a ticket to see Lady Gaga
   2. I’m having a shower
   3. That singer appears to be doing well
   4. Eminem’s appearing at the V festival
   5. He’s being really kind
   6. He’s really kind
   7. He’s thinking about joining a band
   8. I think that band’s really good
   9. It depends on how much money I’ve got
   10. I’m depending on her to organise everything
   11. This soup tastes good
   12. Joe’s tasting the soup