Verb tense – Present simple or continuous? (Vietnamese explanations included)
Monday, October 17, 2011, 08:00 GMT+7
Dr. Grammar says:
“What’s wrong with this sentence? I eat rice for lunch today, but I usually am having soup.”
EXPLANATION:
Present simple and present continuous are two very common verb tenses. Being able to use them correctly, and knowing when to use, is very important.
How do we make them?
Present simple
Positive
Subject + V1 + (object, adjunct etc)
e.g. We make breakfast.
Negative
Subject + do/does not + V1 + (object, adjunct etc)
e.g. We do not make breakfast.
Question
Are/Is + subject + (object, adjunct etc) = when the verb is be e.g. Are you happy?
Is she happy?
Do/Does + subject + V1 + (object, adjunct etc) = when the verb is not be
e.g. Do we make breakfast?
Does she make breakfast?
Present continuousPositive
Subject + be + Verb-ing + (object, adjunct etc)
e.g. We are making breakfast.
Negative
Subject + be + not + Verb-ing + (object, adjunct etc)
e.g. We are not making breakfast.
Question
Are/Is + subject + Verb-ing + (object, adjunct etc)
e.g. Are we making breakfast?
Is she making breakfast?
When do we use the present simple?
The present simple has 6 main uses:
1. Facts (true information)
London is the capital of England.
= A fact, it is true.
Vietnam is a hot country.
= This is also true. 2. To show something happens regularly, often or never (a habit) We make breakfast.
= We usually do it. 3. Present actions happening in order
We make breakfast, then we eat it.
= First we make it, after that we eat it.
4. A daily routine
He studies in the morning, and then relaxes in the afternoon.
= He does this most days. It is his routine. 5. Something set by a schedule/timetable
The match starts at 12pm.
= The time is already planned.
6. State verbs (some verbs do not usually have a continuous form. These are called state verbs.). They include verbs to show:
a. feelings (e.g. want, love)
b. opinions (e.g. think, believe)
c. senses (e.g. see, hear)
d. existence and ownership (e.g. be, have)
They need your help.
= right now (usually present continuous, but not for need)
I want to have a rest.
= right now (usually present continuous, but not for want)
When do we use the present continuous?
The present continuous has 4 main uses:
1. Something happening right now
We are making breakfast.
= Now, at this time. 2. Actions at the same time
We are making breakfast, they are watching TV.
= These actions are both happening now. 3. Future plans which have already been arranged
I am watching the match at 12pm.
= The match is at 12pm, and I will watch it, it is planned.
I am making breakfast tomorrow.
= I will make breakfast tomorrow morning, I have agreed this with my wife. 4. For a temporary period around now (not always right now)
She is studying at ACET this term.
= During the 5 week period around now, she has classes at ACET. She might or might not be at ACET right at this moment.
Can we use these tenses in the same sentence/text?
Yes! When someone is talking or writing in the present tense, these two tenses are commonly used. For example:
I am working part-time because I am a student at university.
= Right now I am working. It is true that I am a student.
I usually stay at home at the weekend, but this weekend I am going to the beach.
= Usually (a habit) I stay at home, but there is a plan that I will go to the beach this weekend
How can we learn to use these tenses?
By doing the exercises below!
So…
I eat rice for lunch today, but I usually am having soup. X
I am eating rice for lunch today, but I usually have soup.√
= right now (eating rice), usually (a habit, have soup)
EXERCISE:
Choose whether the verbs in brackets should be in the present simple or the present continuous.
1. I …………………… (live) in Vietnam.
2. We …………………… (go) to the cinema tonight.
3. Phuc and Nguyen usually …………………… (play) together and then …………………… (have) lunch.
4. They …………………… (sleep) now, so they …………………… (not eat) breakfast until later.
5. She …………………… (want) to go to the market because there …………………… (not be) any food at home.
Answers:
1. I live in Vietnam.
2. We are going to the cinema tonight.
3. Phuc and Nguyen usually play together and then have lunch.
4. They are sleeping now, so they are not eating breakfast until later.
5. She wants to go to the market because there isn’t any food at home.
FURTHER PRACTICE: Find an easy text that is written in the present tense, or has some areas in the present tense. Find examples of the present simple and the present continuous.
Try to see why these tenses are used. Do they fit into the main uses above?
Now try to write about your daily routine, and what you are doing today, using both of these tenses. Then have a friend look at your work to help you correct it.
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THÌ HIỆN TẠI ĐƠN – THÌ HIỆN TẠI TIẾP DIỄN I. Cách thành lập: (như trên) II. Cách sử dụng: (ví dụ xem trên) a. Thì hiện tại đơn có 6 cách dùng chính: 1. Chỉ một sự thật 2. Một thói quen, một điều thường xuyên xảy ra, một hành động lặp đi lặp lại nhiều lần ở hiện tại 3. Những hành động xảy ra liên tiếp nhau ở hiện tại 4. Những thông lệ, việc làm hàng ngày 5. Những việc diễn ra theo thời gian biểu nhất định 6. Những động từ chỉ trạng thái b. Thì hiện tại tiếp diễn có 4 cách dùng chính: 1. Những sự việc đang diễn ra tại thời điểm hiện tại 2. Những hành động đang diễn ra song song/ cùng lúc ở hiện tại 3. Những kế hoạch, dự định trong tương lai gần (thường có những từ/ngữ chỉ thời gian tương lai đi kèm) 4. Những sự việc diễn ra trong thời gian ngắn, tạm thời III. Lưu ý: Cả hai thì hiện tại đơn và tiếp diễn đều có thể được sử dụng trong cùng một câu khi một động từ trong câu chỉ thói quen, thông lệ, hoặc việc làm hàng ngày (hiện tại đơn) và động từ còn lại chỉ một dự định hoặc một sự việc chỉ tạm thời xảy ra trong thời gian ngắn (hiện tại tiếp diễn) |
This material is provided by the Australian Centre for Education and Training (ACET).
