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 | Exceptions when adding 'ing' : § Silent e is dropped. (but: does not apply for -ee) Example: come - coming 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). Example: travel - travelling (British English) but: traveling (American English) § Final ie becomes y. Example: lie - lying |
Use
In general or right now?
Do you want to express that something happens in general or that something is happening right now?
Simple Present | Present Progressive |
in general (regularly, often, never) Colin plays football every Tuesday. present actions happening one after another First Colin plays football, then he watches TV. | right now Look! Colin is playing football now. also for several actions happening at the same time Colin is playing football and Anne is watching. |
Signal words | |
§ always § every ... § often § normally § usually § sometimes § seldom § never § first § then | § at the moment § at this moment § today § now § right now § Listen! § Look! |
Note: The following verbs are usually only used in Simple Present: be, have, hear, know, like, love, see, smell, think, want | |
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.
§ Introductory clauses for direct speech: answer, ask, reply, say
Example: “I am watching TV,“ he says.
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