Present Simple vs.

Present Continuous

1. We use the present simple for:

 Facts and/or permanent states. Anna studies
Psychology in Kansas.
 General truths and laws of nature. Water boils at 100
°C.
 Habits and routines (with always, usually, etc). He
usually walks to work.
 Timetables and programmes (in the future). The
performance starts at 6:30 pm.

The time expressions we use with the present simple are:

usually, often, always, every day/week/month/year etc, in
the morning/afternoon/evening, at night/the weekend, on
Fridays, etc.

1. We use the present continuous (to be + -ing) for:

 Actions taking place at or around the moment of
speaking. Jackson is eating a bowl of ice cream.
 Temporary situations. They are painting the fence.
 Fixed arrangements in the near future. We are playing
basketball tonight.
 Currently changing and developing situations. Drug
traffic and violence are growing day to day.

The time expressions we use with the present continuous

are: now, at the moment, at present, these days,
nowadays, still, today, tonight, etc.

Stative Verbs

Stative verbs are verbs which describe a state rather than

an action, and so they do not usually have a continuous
tense. These verbs are:
 Verbs of the senses (appear, feel, hear, look, see,
seem, smell, sound, taste, etc.). Mark seems to be
ill.
 Verbs of perception (believe, forget, know, realise,
remember, understand, etc.). I don’t believe Sarah
is getting married!
 Verbs which express feelings and emotions (desire,
detest, enjoy, hate, like, love, prefer, want, etc.).
Daniel detests his co-workers.
 Some other verbs (be, belong, contain, cost, fit,
have, include, keep, matter, need, owe, own,
want, weigh, wish, etc.). I owe Karen an enormous
apologize.
Wh-questions

Wh-questions begin with a question word, such as who,

when, what, where, etc. We always put the auxiliary or
modal verb before the subject.

Question word + auxiliary/modal + subject

For:
 People: who/whose
“Who did you see?” “Scarlett”.
“Whose is that car?” “It’s John’s”.
 Things: what/which
“What do you want?” “Some shoes”.
“Which book does Anthony need?” “The Catcher in
the Rye”.
 Place: where
“Where do you live?” “Tucson, Arizona”.
 Time: when/how long/how often
“When did he say that?” “Right before he left”.
“How long have you been living in London?”
“Almost four years”.
“How often do you go to the cinema?” “Twice a
month, I think”.
 Quantity/number: how much/how many
“How much does that school bag cost?” “Twenty
pounds”.
“How many hot-dogs did you prepare?” “Around
thirty”.
 Manner: how
“How did you arrive so early?” “I took a taxi”.
 Reason: why
“Why is she sad?” “She broke up with his
boyfriend”.
 Age: how old
“How old is the school principal?” “He’s fifty-four”.
 Distance: how far
“How far is it to Madame Toussads?” “You’re just
ten meters away”.