Present Simple Vs Present Continuous A lecture by: M.A. Hind Sabah Bilal University of Kufa/ Faculty of languages and translation Dept. of English UNIVERSITY OF KUFA FACULITY OF LANGUAGES & TRANSLATION

How do I Use the Present Progressive?  One of the most common uses of the PRESENT CONTINUOUS is that it's used to describe actions that are in progress at the moment we are speaking or writing. UNIVERSITY OF KUFA FACULITY OF LANGUAGES & TRANSLATION

How do you form the Present Progressive?  Two basic components:  1) Auxiliary Verb: AM / IS / ARE.  2) Main verb: the -ING form.  1. The children are playing outside.  2. The policeman is trying to catch the thief.  Mary working at home.  Mary is working at home  James is play the guitar..  James is playing the guitar UNIVERSITY OF KUFA FACULITY OF LANGUAGES & TRANSLATION

Usage of Present Continuous

How do I Use the Present Continuous ?  Sometimes, we use the PRESENT CONTINUOUS because we want to emphasize that this is only a temporary situation, and will not continue forever.  Susan is taking a coffee-break. (temporary situation)  John and Paul are wrestling. (temporary situation)  We can also use it to describe an action that began before the present moment and will probably continue. This action DOES NOT have to be occurring at the moment you are speaking or writing.  Jorge is taking a grammar class this semester. (J orge is really NOT in class right now. I don't know where he is! This sentence tells me that he started the class BEFORE today, and he will probably stay in the class until THIS SEMESTER finishes. THIS SEMESTER is IN PROGRESS). UNIVERSITY OF KUFA FACULITY OF LANGUAGES & TRANSLATION

How do I Use the Present Progressive? .  We also use the PRESENT PROGRESSIVE when there's something that's bothering us and we want to complain. In this situation, we usually use an adverb of frequency.  Susan is usually playing around when I need to ask her a serious question. (I don't like it when Susan doesn't pay attention to me. This bothers me.)  The children are always making a mess in their room! (I don't like it when the children don't keep their room neat. This bothers me.) UNIVERSITY OF KUFA FACULITY OF LANGUAGES & TRANSLATION

How do I Use the Present Progressive?  The PRESENT CONTINUOS can also be used to talk about a future activity. If the activity is something that we planned before now, and we are positive that the activity will occur, we can use the PRESENT PROGRESSIVE. The grammatical form of the verb will be PRESENT CONTINUOS, but the idea is future. I am giving a grammar test tomorrow. ( the idea expressed is future.) My son is going to Chicago next fall. UNIVERSITY OF KUFA FACULITY OF LANGUAGES & TRANSLATION

How do I Use the Present Progressive?  To sum it all up, there are 4 main reasons we use the PRESENT CONTINUOUS:  1. To talk about actions in progress  2. To talk about temporary situations  3. To talk about something that bothers us  4. To talk about a planned future activity  Now, give sentences of your own life expressing the above reasons using present continuous: UNIVERSITY OF KUFA FACULITY OF LANGUAGES & TRANSLATION

Formulation  Present Simple VS Present Continuous I play tennis I am playing tennis You play You are playing tennis He/She plays He/She is playing We play We are playing You play You are playing They play They are playing UNIVERSITY OF KUFA FACULITY OF LANGUAGES & TRANSLATION

Usage  Present Simple Present Continuous Facts: Vs Actions in progress now: I live in Iraq. I am talking to you now. I like ice cream. You are listening to me It rains a lot. It’s raining now Habits : I usually shop on Saturday. He drives fast. She always drinks coffee in the morning. UNIVERSITY OF KUFA FACULITY OF LANGUAGES & TRANSLATION

Common Mistakes I am living in Spain. (temporary) I live in Spain. I am coming from Japan. (just been to Japan) I come from Japan. Our company is producing glass. (at the moment, temporarily) Our company produces glass. UNIVERSITY OF KUFA FACULITY OF LANGUAGES & TRANSLATION

Common Mistakes The economy grows again this year. (mistake) The economy is growing again this year. They build a house next to mine. (really? Every year?!) They are building a house next to mine. Look, it snows? (mistake) Look, it is snowing. UNIVERSITY OF KUFA FACULITY OF LANGUAGES & TRANSLATION