Правила Present Simple and Present Continuous не complex. The main thing is how to understand them. The times of the Present group in English are the most tangled for study. It's all about having multiple forms of auxiliary verbs.
General characteristic of the times Present
The system of times in English and in Russian differs. The Russian system of times implies a division into:
- present time;
- Future tense;
- past tense.
English time is divided not only into:
- present (Present);
- Future (Future);
- the past.
But, just on:
- Simple;
- Perfect (perfect);
- Continuous.
This division is more significant and detailed in English grammar. Complex nuances of actions depend on it.
Using Present Simple
So, more in detail.The rules of Present Simple and Present Coninuous differ slightly. Than? Present Simple is used to describe the actions taking place at the present time, regularly. For example, the actions that we perform daily or on a schedule:
- Adults go to work every day. (Adults go to work every day)
- My mother cooks dinner every evening. (My mother cooks dinner every evening)
- My sister and I take a shower every morning. (My sister and I take a shower every morning)
Also for scheduled actions:
- The train leaves at 10.30. (The train leaves at 10.30)
- The plain arrives at 9 am (The plane arrives at 9 am)
- The film starts in an hour. (The film will begin in an hour)
Descriptions of natural and weather phenomena:
- The sun rises in the East. (The sun rises in the east)
- The snow falls in winter. (It snows in winter)
Use Present Continuous
Present Continuous also characterizes the actions taking place in the present tense, but at the current moment or at the moment of conversation.
- I am calling my parents, don "t interrupt me! (I call parents, do not distract me!)
- She can not switch off the light. (She is not reading the magazine now, you can turn off the light)
- Children are doing their homework, please switch. (Kids do their homework, turn on the music later)
Present times in the meaning of the future
This is another nuance that complicates understanding.English grammar. In fact, to express the future tense, we have Future Simple - the future is a simple time. But there are other options. We can take advantage of Present Simple and Present Continuous. For example, so. Suggestions in Present Simple, for example: I fly to Moscow next week (I will fly to Moscow next week). Or sentences in Present Continuous, for example: I "seeing my mate tonight (I am going to my acquaintance tonight). As a rule, such constructions have the meaning of the nearest planned future: today, every other day, in an hour.
Present Simple and Present Continuous Table
A schematic representation of the rules often helps in the study. For example, such.
Present Simple and Present Continuous Education Schemes | |
Present | |
Simple | 1) Affirmative sentence: Subject + main verb with ending -s / without ending; * 2) Negative sentence: Subject + auxiliary verb do / does + not + main verb without ending; 3) Interrogative sentence: Auxiliary verb do / does + subject + main verb without ending. |
Continuous | 1) Affirmative sentence: Subject + auxiliary verb am / is / are + main verb with ending -ing; * 2) Negative sentence: Subject + auxiliary verb am / is / are + not + main verb with ending -ing; 3) Interrogative sentence: The auxiliary verb am / is / are + subject + main verb with the ending -ing. |
* The ending -s is added to the verb when the subject is in the third person, singular: he (he), she (she), it (it). This is the simplest point.
Exceptions: verbs that are not put in Continuous:
English is rich in various exceptions.Sometimes they are more important than the rule itself. There are verbs in Present Simple and Present Continuous that are used in different meanings. What are they?
Verbs to designate feelings and mental activity cannot be placed during Continuous, that is, add to them the ending -ing. We can only use them in time Simple.
There are some "verb senses" thatcan be used in Continuous, but then their lexical meaning changes. For example, the verb "see" is to see. In Present Simple it will sound like this: I see a lot of wild animals every day, I work at the Zoo. (I see a lot of wild animals every day, I work at the zoo). If we put the same verb in the sentence in Present Continuous, then its meaning will change dramatically: He is seeing his best friend today (He meets with his best friend today).
Verb | Simple | Continuous |
see | see - see | seeing - to meet |
think | think - think | thinking |
love | love - love | loving - enjoy |
smell | smell - smell | smelling - sniff |
taste | taste - to taste | tasting - taste |
weigh | weigh | weighing - weigh |
Examples of use
These times are very often used in English. Sometimes a short everyday dialogue can only be based on them.
Kate: Hi! What are you doing?
Evelyn: Hi! I am watching a film!
Kate: What are you watching? I like good comedies!
Evelyn: Me too! I am watching a comedy now!
Kate: My parents prefer horror films. I hate to watch them!
Evelyn: I am going to buy a new DVD now, let "s have a" movie evening "today?
Kate: That’s great! I like this idea!
Translation dialogue:
Kate: Hi! What are you doing?
Evelyn: Hi! Watching a movie.
Kate: What are you watching? I love good comedies.
Evelyn: And me! I'm watching a comedy!
Kate: My parents prefer horror movies. I hate to watch them!
Evelyn: I'm going to buy a new disc, let's have an evening tonight watching movies?
Kate: Great!
The use of auxiliary verbs
There are two types of verbs in English:main and auxiliary. Schoolchildren are often confused in these terms. According to the rules of Present Simple and Present Continuous, the main verbs have a lexical and grammatical function. That is, they are translated into Russian and indicate time, number or person. Auxiliary verbs have only grammatical function, they are not translated into Russian, contain the meaning of time, person and number. Auxiliary verb Present Simple - "to do". It has two forms in the present tense: "do" and "does". "Do" is used if the subject is in the plural: they (we), we (we), you (you, you) or first person, in the singular: I (I). The auxiliary verb "does" is used when the subject stands in the third person, in the singular: he (he), she (she), it (it). The auxiliary verb Present Continuous is "to be". In present tense, it has three forms: "am", "is", "are". "Am" is used with the subject in the first person, in the singular: I (i); the auxiliary verb "is" is used with the subject in the third person, in the singular: he (he), she (she), it (it); the auxiliary verb "are" is used with the subject in the plural: they (they), we (we), you (you, you). Total:
Present Simple and Present Continuous Table:
Affirmative forms | ||||
I am | He is | they are | he does | they do |
She is | we are | she does | we do | |
It is | you are | it does | you do | |
I am | He is not / he isn "t | they are | he does | they do |
She is / she isn "t | we are | she does | we do | |
It is / itisn "t | you are | it does | you do | |
Practical part
Try to make sentences according to these conditions:
1) Present Simple; negative sentence; subject in the third person, singular; main verb "sleep".
2) Present Continuous; affirmative sentence; subject in the first person, singular; main verb "read".
3) Present Simple; interrogative sentence; subject in the plural; main verb "like".
4) Present Continuous; negative sentence; subject in the third person, singular; main verb "play".
5) Present Simple; interrogative sentence; subject in the plural; main verb "arrive".
Keys:
1) My brother don "t sleep in a daytime. (My brother does not sleep during the day)
2) I "m reading a magazine now. (I am reading a magazine now)
3) Do they like to swim in the pool? (Do they like to swim in the pool?)
4) She is not playing football, she is playing chess! (She does not play football, she plays chess)
5) When do they arrive? (When do they arrive?)
