The Present Simple and the Present Continuous 2A
The present simple is also used for
- making declarations about opinions and feelings, because the verbs tend to be state verbs: I bet he gets the job! I hereby declare this supermarket open!
- headlines. These are written in a ‘telegram’ type of style, with references to the past usually simplified to the present simple: Helicopter rescues 3 climbers.
- instructions, recipes and itineraries instead of the imperative. It makes the style more personal: You need to check the pilot light is in the ‘off’ position’ on your boiler. First you take 3 eggs.
On Saturday our tour takes you into central London where we visit Borough Market. - summaries of plays, films, or historical events: Doctor Who: Episode 4: The Stolen Earth: ‘Earth’s greatest heroes assemble, to fight the New Dalek Empire. But a fearsome old enemy waits in the shadows…’
- the ‘historic present’ in narrative and funny stories: So a man walks into a chemist’s shop and asks for a packet of bananas. "I don’t sell bananas,’ says the shopkeeper.
The present continuous is also used
-
for continuous situations: Are you enjoying your holiday?
-
for repeated actions: She’s always spending more than she can afford on shoes.
-
for complaints about annoying habits: She‘s always complaining that we are not meeting our sales targets.
-
with verbs describing change and development: More and more people are finding they prefer cycling to work to taking commuter trains. The weather is turning cold.
1. [Multiple choice]
Sweden …………. shorter winters and warmer summers.
(The statement makes it clear that this is a change in the customary weather pattern – so the present continuous is used.)
Answers for Quiz [1].
- 1. starts to experience
- 2. is starting to experience (correct)
2. [Multiple choice]
Nigel ……….. for a round of drinks at the pub.
Answers for Quiz [2].
- 1. never pays (correct)
- 2. is never paying
3. [Multiple choice]
‘Kennedy’s father ……….. in hospital. Wife arrives too late to say good-bye’
(This is a headline, which often requires the present simple tense.)
Answers for Quiz [3].
- 1. dies (correct)
- 2. is dying
4. [Multiple choice]
More and more people …………. their cars at home and taking the bus to work.
(This sentence describes a change in behaviour, or a new trend, so the present continuous is used.)
Answers for Quiz [4].
- 1. leave
- 2. are leaving (correct)
5. [Multiple choice]
The pressure in Afsaneh’s office ……… , apparently.
Answers for Quiz [5].
- 1. eases
- 2. is easing (correct)
6. [Multiple choice]
Her new job ……….. she has to take a lot of paperwork home.
(Mean is a state verb, so the present continuous cannot be used.)
Answers for Quiz [6].
- 1. means (correct)
- 2. is meaning
7. [Multiple choice]
More people ……… to take recycling more seriously, these days.
(Although this is a change in behaviour, a new tendency developing, the verb ‘seem’ is a state verb, so the present simple is used.)
Answers for Quiz [7].
- 1. seem (correct)
- 2. are seeming
8. [Multiple choice]
In the opening chapter Harry Potter …….. that he is actually a wizard.
(A summary of a chapter, book or film usually uses the present simple.)
Answers for Quiz [8].
- 1. learns (correct)
- 2. is learning
9. [Multiple choice]
They ………. into ridiculous levels of debt.
(This is a criticism about irritating behaviour, so it uses the present continuous tense. The fact that the action is repeated also requires the present continuous. Words such as ‘constantly’ ‘always’ ‘incessantly’, ‘repeatedly’ can alert you to this likelihood.)
Answers for Quiz [9].
- 1. ’re constantly getting (correct)
- 2. constantly get
10. [Multiple choice]
Be sure you ………. the red button down for 15 seconds until the pilot light glows.
(Instructions, recipes and itineraries are often written in the present simple (instead of in the imperative) to make them more personal.)
Answers for Quiz [10].
- 1. hold (correct)
- 2. are holding