Today’s Special is... (Present Simple vs Continuous)

By smartfm 13/07/2011 10:49:00

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We have talked about using the Present Simple to talk about facts and routine (habitual) activities. In contrast, the present continuous tense is used in other situations. In this lesson, we’ll focus on two situations.

FORMS:
POSITIVE:
I+am+Verb-ing: I am watching a dvd right now
He/She/It+is+Verb-ing: He is talking on the phone with his friend as we speak
You/They/We+are+Verb-ing: They are  watching a dvd right now
NEGATIVE: Subject + am/is/are+NOT+Verb-ing: They are not doing their homework
QUESTION: Am/Is/Are+Subject+Verb-ing?: Is your brother visiting his friends right now?

For these examples, we are doing these activities at the time of speaking.  The adverbs we use to indicate this are ‘currently’, ‘presently’, ‘right now’, ‘as we speak’, and ‘at the moment’.
Another way we use the continuous form is to indicate a situation is temporary (is not permanent) or a change from the usual activities.
Examples:   
I’m studying at Trisakti.  (temporary situation)
We’re staying at my friend’s house this week.
She’s not working because she just gave birth. (temporary change)
Are you taking any new classes this semester?

For these examples, we can say them even when we are not ‘doing’ the activity at the time of speaking.  The adverbs we use to indicate this are ‘this week’, ‘this month’, ‘this year’, ‘today’, and ‘tonight’.

NOTES: Don’t forget to use the helping verb with the continuous form.
WRONG: She heping me with my homework.
RIGHT:  She’s helping me with my homework.

*It’s also important to pronounce the helping verb clearly.*

Make sure to use the continuous form for temporary or ongoing activities.
WRONG:    I attend college this semester.  (temporary)
RIGHT:    I’m attending college this semester.
WRONG:    She’s living in Jakarta.  (permanent)
RIGHT:    She lives in Jakarta.
*Use the right adverbs with the right tense forms.*  (Smart Up Your Live)