Grammar: Present Simple v Present Continuous

A lot of students find the differences between the present simple and the present continuous difficult. Let's remember:

 

Grammar: Present simple or Present continuous

We have two present tenses you need to practise: the present simple and the present continuous. We use them to talk about different things and we make them in different ways. Look at the picture:

Have or Has?

Have is an irregular verb in the present: I have, you have, he has. we have, they have. A lot of students find this difficult to remember.

 The negative of he has is ..... ?

Present simple tense

We use the present simple tense to talk about facts which are always true, and to talk about daily routines and habits. For example;

I get up in the morning at 7 o'clock, and I go to work at 8.15. We have a break around 10 o'clock and the lesson finishes at 11.30. I teach an elective class until 1 o'clock. In the afternoon, I plan the next lesson and mark homework, but on Wednesdays, I go to university. 

State verbs

Q: Which famous company uses incorrect grammar in their advertisements?

In English, we can use verbs to talk about actions or feelings and emotions. Verbs that describe actions, for example, run, write, sing, are called action or dynamic verbs. We can use them in both simple and continuous tenses: Sorry, I can't stop! I am running a race!/ I run two miles every day. 

Grammar: Present simple

Welcome to Manchester! What do you know about the city?

    Manchester is nearly 2000 years old, so has a very long and complex history. It is probably best-known for its music and its two world-famous football teams. Manchester United play at Old Trafford and most students want to visit the stadium when they are here. Manchester City's home is the Etihad Stadium which is in east Manchester. Old Trafford is the larger stadium, and holds 10,000 more spectators.
    There are many music venues in the city. The area behind Piccadilly Gardens is The Northern Quarter and there are lots of places where you can listen to local bands.
    A very popular area in Manchester is Rusholme, where there are many Arabic and Indian restaurants. People go there with their friends and eat different kinds of food. Many buses go to Rusholme. During Eid celebrations, the area gets extremely busy: buses use different routes and lots of people walk along the streets and make a lot of noise.
    Most students think that the people in Manchester are friendly, so you don't need to worry about asking people questions. A lot of people think that it rains all the time in Manchester, but it really doesn't rain every day. I hope that you have a great time while you are here!


Look at the verbs in the text. What tense are the verbs?

Grammar: Making Tenses

We all need a hand occasionally to help us get what we want. Even a genius like Michelangelo needed help to create his famous sculpture, David, which was made from marble for the city of Florence.

The statue doesn't look simple because it is extremely detailed.
Michelangelo was working continuously on the sculpture for two years while the city was waiting for him to finish it.
Millions of people have seen the perfect statue.

Verbs are like blocks of marble: they need help to make them come to life.

Ryan: "You, my students, are all Michelangelo."     Students: "Wow!"