1. Present simple vs. Present continuous
Mgr. Ema Jarošová

2. Present simple we use To talk about permanent situations
I live in London but I come from Canada.
For habitual actions or routines
We see each other every day.
For a general truth
Cats don´t like water.
Water boils at 100 degrees Centigrade.

3. In instructions and directions
To get to my house, you take the first turning on the left.
In film reviews and plot summaries
Bullock gives a plausible performance in the lead role.
In sports commentaries
Beckham passes the ball to Cole
– and he scores

4. These adverbs of frequency and time expressions are often used with the present simple:
Never, hardly ever, rarely, seldom, occasionaly, sometimes, frequently, often, usually, always
Every day/ week, in the morning/evenings, on mondays, once a week/year....

5. State verbs
Describe a state, not an activity. They cannot normally be used in the continuous form:
Mental/thinking verbs: agree, believe, disagree, doubt, expect*, forget*,know, realise, remember*, suppose, think*, understand
Attitude verbs: dislike, hate, like, love, need, prefer, want
Sense/ perception verbs: hear, see*, smell*, taste*
Appearance: appear*, look*, resemble, seem, sound
Being, possession: be*, belong to, consist of, contain, have*, include, own, possess
Other verbs: cost, fit, matter, mean, owe

6. Present continuous we use
For activities and situations that are temporary
I´m only staying here for a short time.
For actions in progress at the moment of speaking
I´m taking a break.
Situations that are changing
Traffic is getting worse every year.
Annoying habits with always
You´re always forgetting your keys!

7. These time expressions are often used with the present continuous:
Always, still, currently
At present, at the moment, (right) now