Present simple vs Present continuous.

Sometimes we can get confused with the present simple and continuous because the differences between them are very subtle. However, their main difference is in their use. While we use the present simple to talk about actions in the present tense and habitual or permanent situations, the present continuous is used to indicate actions that happen while we are talking, actions in progress or in the near future.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS

Simple Present:

It's a form of the verb that shows that the action occurs in the present. We have to use in this tense a verb in "infinitive" or in its "base form".

        Ex. Gabriela is good at singing.

Simple present is used to:

• Express routines: activities that are realized with a certain frequency.
• Permanent states:  States or actions that do not vary and are not routines, like saying  where we live, study or work.
• General truths: We speak of that which is proven or things that always occur, also called scientific truths.

Formation:

    The Present Simple is constructed from the verb in infinitive form. We must also consider     some rules.

    Affirmative form: 

    subject+ infinitive verb+ complement

    Negative form:

    subject + don't/doesn't + infinitive verb + complement 

    Question:

    Do/Does +subject + infinitive + complement + ?

Rules.

To review the lesson:

Present Continuous:

The present continuous generally refers to situations or actions that are taking place at the moment, that is an action that continues to progress.

     Ex. He is doing his English homework.

Uses for the present continuous:

1. To explain situations that are happening at the same moment they are described.

     Ex. Andres is listening to loud music

2. Explaining context when expressing situations in the present. Adverbs are usually used recently, currently o lately.

    Ex. It's been raining a lot lately

3.To describe with certainty events or actions in the future.

     Ex. We are going to go to the beach next week, we have the tickets.

Formation:

Present continuous is constructed from the present tense of the verb to be and the -ing form (gerund) of a verb that is the one that performs the action.

 

Affirmative form: 

    Subject + verb to be + verb in gerund + complement.

    Ex. I am working

Negative form:

    Subject + verb to be + not + verb in gerund + complement

    Ex. She is not sleeping

Question:

    Verbo to be  +  sujeto  +  verbo en gerundio  +  complemento  +  ?

    Ex. Are they reading?

Rules -ing.

To review the lesson:

Let's practice:

Present simple vs present continuous