Language learning | English » The Present Simple

Source: http://www.doksinet A The present simple Form 1 Basic rule The present simple is formed by using the infinitive of the verb: • • We eat in the university cafeteria most days because its cheaper. Some of my friends work in bars to supplement their income. 2 The third person -s The third person singular (i.e he, she or it) form adds an -s to the infinitive: • • She rarely eats anything at lunchtime. Toms new mobile phone works inside the lecture halls, too. If the verbs infinitive ends in -sh, -ss or -ch, we add -es: • • Before exams, Peter always pushes himself a bit too hard. On the other hand, Julia usually passes tests without any apparent effort. If it ends in -y, we add -ies: • My brother worries too much about money. These verbs have irregular forms: • have - has, do - does, go - goes 3 Questions and negations In present simple questions and negations we use do/does and the infinitive of the verb: • • • • Do you come onto campus every

day? Does your girlfriend study here, too? Vegetarians do not have a lot of choice in the university cafeteria. The Head of Department does not allow students to miss lectures without a sick note. When we speak, also in informal writing, we usually shorten do not to dont and does not to doesnt: • • Vegetarians dont have a lot of choice in the university cafeteria. The Head of Department doesnt allow students to miss lectures without a sick note. 4 Passive The passive form of the present simple is made with am/is/are + the past participle of the verb. Source: http://www.doksinet • • Lack of money is considered one of the biggest problems for todays student. The exams are usually held at the end of the semester. Function 1 Talking about actions in general We mainly use the present simple to talk about actions or states in general; we do not see the state, or series of actions, as having a specific end. • • Unfortunately our parents live in Upper Denby, miles away

from the university. (Thats where they always live.) I take the car to work as there is no public transport. (Thats how I generally travel to work.) Note that we use the present continuous for temporary states or series of actions. • • My brothers living at home at the moment until he finds another flat. (This state will end when he finds a flat.) My car broke down last week so Im taking the bus this week until its repaired. (I will stop taking the bus as soon as I get my car back.) Present continuous for temporary actions 2 Repeated actions In particular, we use the present simple to talk about actions that happen repeatedly, such as routines and habits: • I usually cycle to lectures, but I always take the tram when the weathers bad. Repeated actions are often indicated by expression such as: • always, often, usually, most of the time, rarely, never, every semester, once a week, on Sundays, etc. 3 Permanent facts We also use the present simple for talking about

permanent facts, things that always happen or are generally true: • • • The River Danube flows through Vienna. (This never changes) Water freezes at 0°C. (Thats a law of nature) University kills by degrees. (This is a well-known fact; just ask any student!) 4 With reporting verbs We use the present simple with verbs of reporting, both for written and spoken statements: • It says on the Departments web-site that the exam date has been changed. Source: http://www.doksinet • "I have to work because of the problems I have with my student loan," she explains. 5 Talking about the future The present simple can be used to refer to the future. For scheduled events: • • Wed better hurry, the library closes at 22.00 hrs (Opening hours are a kind of schedule) The University Ball starts at 7:30 p.m (The starting time was fixed in advance) Present simple for timetables, etc. In time clauses starting with: after, before, as soon as, until, when, etc.: • • What

are you going to do when you finish university? (WRONG: .when you will finish university) Make the most of your vacation before classes start again in October. (WRONG: .before classes will start in October) No future tense in subordinate clauses B The present continuous Form 1 Basic rule The present continuous is formed with am/are/is and the -ing form of the verb. • • • Turn the TV down, will you? Im trying to study here. Drop-out rates at British universities are increasing. The government is trying to attract more mature students to higher education. 2 Negations In present continuous negations we put not between am/are/is and the -ing form of the verb: • • The financial situation of students is not getting any easier. Were not going to the lecture today, weve got a test in Marketing. 3 Questions In present continuous questions, we change the order of the subject and the verb (am/are/is): • • Are you waiting for Professor Lamb, too? Which book is she referring to?

4 Spelling The -e at the end of verbs is usually left out: Source: http://www.doksinet • • • lose > losing make > making use > using One-syllable verbs that end in one vowel and one consonant, e.g, stop, plan, win, etc take a double consonant in the -ing form: • • • stop > stopping plan > planning win > winning 5 Passive The passive form of the present continuous is made using am/is/are + being + past participle. • • The old teaching system is being phased out . A major recruiting fair is being held on campus next week. Function 1 Actions in progress at the moment of speaking The present continuous is mainly used to talk about actions or situations that are already going on at the moment of speaking: • • "What are you doing?" - "Im working on my seminar paper for tomorrow." (The studying is happening now.) "Wheres Elfi?" "Shes seeing her dissertation supervisor." (Shes there at this moment) Past

continuous for actions in progress at a specific time in the past No present continuous with state verbs 2 Unfinished actions We also use the present continuous to talk about something thats in progress and not yet finished, even if it is not happening exactly at the time of speaking: • • Im reading an interesting book at the moment, but I cant remember where I put it. (Im not actually reading the book while Im speaking but I havent finished it yet.) Are you still working on your PhD? Youve been doing that for years now. (The other person probably isnt working on the thesis right now but its still unfinished.) We particularly use the present continuous to talk about changing or developing situations: • • It is becoming more difficult for students from less well-off backgrounds to go to university. (The situation of these students is currently changing for the worse) I think Alfreds English is getting better and better. (His English is improving over time) Source:

http://www.doksinet Past continuous for actions in progress at specific time in the past No present continuous with state verbs 3 Temporary actions We use the present continuous to show that an action or situation may be temporary: • • Im sharing a flat with three other students for the moment. (Ill move out when Ive found something bigger.) Hes missing a lot of lectures these days because of this new project hes involved in. (This may change again when the project is over.) Note that we use the present simple for talking about actions or states in general, and for permanent states. • • I share a flat with three other students because its cheaper than renting my own. (Thats how I live, and I dont see this arrangement as limited.) He often misses lectures as he has a part-time job. (This happens regularly, not just for a limited period of time.) Talking about actions in general Present simple for repeated actions Present simple for permanent facts Past continuous for

temporary actions No present continuous with state verbs 4 state verbs Some verbs which express states and not actions cannot be made continuous: • How much longer I will study depends on how much I have to work. (WRONG: It is depending on how much I have to work.) More examples of verbs expressing states: believe, consist of, contain, exist, hate, know, like, mean, need, own, prefer, seem, understand, want, wish. Some verbs have two different meanings, an action meaning and a state meaning. The state meaning usually cannot be made continuous: • • We are thinking about getting a part-time job. (Action: We are trying to decide) I think bar work would be too tiring. (State: I believe this) See these verbs in the past continuous See these verbs in the present perfect continuous 5 Present continuous + always When used with always, the present continuous means very often: • Im always forgetting to do my homework. Source: http://www.doksinet It can also mean too often, when a

repeated action is irritating or annoying. Instead of always, similar words can be used in this structure to mean the same, e.g forever, constantly and continually: • • My son is always borrowing money to pay for his course books. (He does this very often) They are forever giving us tests in English. (They give us lots of tests and its getting on our nerves.) Past continuous + ALWAYS 6 Talking about the future The present continuous is also used to talk about definite plans or arrangements for the future: • • "Will I see you at the lecture tomorrow, then?" - "No, Im working tomorrow." (I have arranged my day that way.) "What are you doing tonight?" (Have you made any definite plans or are you still free to go out with me?) Present continuous for definite arrangements