Simple Present
– Present Progressive
Form
|
Simple
Present
|
Present
Progressive
|
|
infinitive
(3rd person singular: infinitive + 's')
I
speak
you speak he / she / it speaks we speak they speak |
form of 'be' and verb + ing
I
am speaking
you are speaking he / she / it is speaking we are speaking they are speaking |
Exceptions
Exceptions
when adding’s’: - For can, may, might, must, do not add s.
Example:
he can, she may, it must
- After o, ch, sh or s, add es.
Example:
do - he does, wash - she washes
- After a consonant, the final consonant y becomes ie. (but: not after a vowel)
Example:
worry - he worries
but: play - he plays
but: play - he plays
Exceptions
when adding 'ing' : - Silent e is dropped. (but: does not apply for -ee)
Example:
come - coming
but: agree - agreeing
but: agree - agreeing
- After a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled.
Example:
sit - sitting
- After a vowel, the final consonant l is doubled in British English (but not in American English).
Timetable
/ Schedule or arrangement?
Do you want to express that
something is arranged for the near future? Or do you refer to a time set by a
timetable or schedule?
|
Simple
Present
|
Present
Progressive
|
|
action set by a timetable or
schedule
The film starts at 8 pm.
|
arrangement for the near future
I am going to the cinema tonight.
|
Daily
routine or just for a limited period of time?
Do you want to talk about a daily
routine? Or do you want to emphasis that something is only going on for a
limited (rather short) period of time?
|
Simple
Present
|
Present
Progressive
|
|
daily routine
Bob works in a restaurant.
|
only for a limited period of time
(does not have to happen directly at the moment of speaking)
Jenny is working in a restaurant
this week.
|
Certain
Verbs
The following verbs are usually only
used in Simple Present (not in the progressive form).
- state: be, cost, fit, mean, suit
Example:
We are on holiday.
- possession: belong, have
Example:
Sam has a cat.
- senses: feel, hear, see, smell, taste, touch
Example:
He feels the cold.
- feelings: hate, hope, like, love, prefer, regret, want, wish
Example:
Jane loves pizza.
- brain work: believe, know, think, understand
Example:
I believe you.
