Present Progressive vs Simple Present

1. Present Progressive vs Simple Present

2. Present Progressive is used to describe something that is happening right now (e.g., now, at the moment). The present progressive is often used to show that the action is temporary. Examples: Tomas is visiting his fiancee. He’sspeaking English rightnow. I’m staying with friends at themoment, but I plan to leave soon. Present Progressive Now He’s speakingEnglish. Past Future X

3. Simple Present is used to describe what regularly happens (e.g., every day, usually, always). Simple Present is used to talk about scientific facts. Examples Tomas talks to his fiancee every day. He usually wears jeans. He always speaks Indonesian at home. Stress causes high blood pressure. Water expands as it freezes. Simple Present Now Future Past X X X X X He speaks Indonesian.

4. Present Progressive is used to describe something that is happening in the extended present time (e.g., nowadays, these days, this month, thisyear), even it it’s not happening at the moment of speaking. Examples We’restudying Javanese customs this month. Kimberley’sstudying in Indonesia this year. Are you studying hard thesedays? Present Progressive Now Past Future X She’s studying.

5. Simple Present is used with adverbs of frequency to express how often something happens. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Be careful! Adverbs of frequency usually go before the main verb, but they go after the verb be. Examples In Spain women always kiss on both cheeks. In France women often kiss on both cheeks. We rarely stand very close to each other. In China children never call adults by their first names. They never come late. They are never late. Simple Present always usually often sometimes rarely/seldom never 100% 0%

6. Simple Present is used with most non-action verbs. Do not use the present progressive – even when the verb describes a situation that exists at the moment of speaking. Non-action verbs usually describe states or situations but not actions. They are used to: Express emotions Describe mental states Show possession Describe senses and perceptions Examples Jane wants to go home now. NOT Jane Xis wanting X to go home now. hate, like, love, want, feel, fear, trust know, remember, believe, think(=believe), understand have, own, possess, belong hear, see, smell, taste, feel, notice, seem, look (=seem), be, appear, sound Simple Present

7. Non-action verbs used to: A. express emotion Example: We like Susi a lot. Riki feels homesick. OR Riki is feeling homesick. Note: Feel is often used in the progressive form. B. describe mental states Example: I know a lot of Javanese customs now. Ari remembers your number. C. show possession Example: Siti has two sisters. Some students own cars. Describe senses and perceptions Example: I hear the telephone. Dina seems tired. Non-action verbs

8. Non-action and action verbs • BE CAREFUL! Some verbs that describe senses and perceptions such as taste, smell, feel, and look can have both a non-action and an action meaning. Example: • Non-action • The soup tastes good. Try some. • Action • She’stasting the soup to see if it needs more salt.