Units 1-2: Present Continuous and Present Simple — English Grammar in Use
Learn when to use the Present Continuous and Present Simple tenses, their forms, and how they express current actions versus general routines.
1. Introduction
These two units cover the fundamental English tenses: the Present Continuous and the Present Simple. They are essential for distinguishing between things happening right now and things that happen generally. In this summary, we will cover Unit 1 and Unit 2 to build a strong foundation for present-tense English.
2. Unit 1: Present Continuous
Grammar Rule
We use the Present Continuous to talk about actions or situations that are happening at the time of speaking or around the present time.
- The action is ongoing and not yet complete.
- We form it by using the present tense of the verb to be (am/is/are) followed by the -ing form of the main verb.
Form Table
| Subject | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | am working (I’m) | am not working (I’m not) | Am I working? |
| He / She / It | is working (he’s) | is not working (isn’t) | Is she working? |
| We / You / They | are working (they’re) | are not working (aren’t) | Are you working? |
Key Examples
Positive
- Please be quiet. I am working.
- Look at Sue! She is wearing her new hat.
- The weather is nice. It is not raining.
Negative
- We are not watching TV right now.
- He is not doing his homework.
- They aren’t playing football.
Question
- Are you listening to me?
- Why are they laughing?
- What is she eating?
When to Use
| Situation | Example |
|---|---|
| Actions happening right now | ‘Where’s Mark?’ ‘He is having a shower.’ |
| Temporary situations happening around now | I am reading a really good book at the moment. |
| Changing or developing situations | The population of the world is increasing very fast. |
Common Mistakes
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❌ I work at the moment, so I will call you later.
✅ I am working at the moment, so I will call you later.
❌ Listen to those people. What language do they speak?
✅ Listen to those people. What language are they speaking?
3. Unit 2: Present Simple
Grammar Rule
We use the Present Simple to talk about things in general. It describes facts that are always true, repeated actions or habits, and situations that are permanent.
- The main verb takes the base form for most subjects.
- For he, she, and it, the verb takes an -s or -es ending.
- For negative and question forms, we use the auxiliary verb do or does.
Form Table
| Subject | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| I / We / You / They | work | do not work (don’t) | Do you work? |
| He / She / It | works | does not work (doesn’t) | Does he work? |
Key Examples
Positive
- Nurses look after patients in hospitals.
- The earth goes round the sun.
- He always arrives early for meetings.
Negative
- I don’t go to the cinema very often.
- She doesn’t drink tea.
- Rice doesn’t grow in cold climates.
Question
- Excuse me, do you speak English?
- What does this word mean?
- Do they play tennis every weekend?
When to Use
| Situation | Example |
|---|---|
| General facts and universal truths | Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius. |
| Habits and repeated actions | I usually leave for work at 8 AM. |
| Permanent situations | My parents live in London. |
Common Mistakes
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❌ He work in a bank.
✅ He works in a bank.
❌ What does he does?
✅ What does he do?
📝 Quick Summary
Unit 1:
- Use the Present Continuous to describe actions happening right now or around now.
- Don’t forget: The action is temporary and not complete yet.
Unit 2:
- Use the Present Simple to describe habits, facts, and permanent situations.
- Don’t forget: Add -s or -es for third-person singular subjects (he, she, it) in positive sentences.