Present Tenses

Question 1

What are 2 present tenses

Answer 1

The present simple and the present continuous tenses are the most common ways of expressing present time in English.

Question 2

The common usages of present simple and present continuous in contrast

Answer 2

The present simple describes things that are generally true.

The present continuous describes things that are true at the time of speaking, but which may change.

Question 3

A hint about another usage of present tenses

Answer 3

They can also express future time

Question 4

How the does form of present simple change after third person?
3 cases

Answer 4

add -s to the base form

• es after o, s, sh, ch and x
• ies when the base form ends in -y

Question 5

Common uses of present simple

name 4

Answer 5

1. General truths and facts
2. Repeated events/actions
3. Series of events/actions
4. Other uses

Question 6

What are “general truth and facts”

3 subdivisions with example

Answer 6

We often use the present simple to state truths and to describe things which we feel are facts or permanent situations:
• Things which are generally true:
British people drink a lot of tea, while Americans drink more coffee.
• Facts:
Broken bones in adults don’t heal as fast as they do in children.
• Permanent situations:
A colony of Antarctic penguins lives in Marwell Zoo

Question 7

Repeated events/actions as a use of present simple

2 examples

Answer 7

We use the present simple to describe things that happen on a regular basis:
As temperatures fall with the approach of winter, the soil freezes and contracts
The Blairs take their summer holiday in a quiet part of Tuscany.
We often use the present simple with

Question 8

What adverbs or Expressions of frequency are used with present simple

Answer 8

adverbs of frequency : always, usually, often, sometimes, never
expressions of frequency : every …. once a …

Question 9

What adverbs or Expressions of frequency are used with present simple
An example for each of them

Answer 9

Share prices usually change on a daily basis - but often by very little.
Our two chefs provide an excellent choice of hot meals every day.

Question 10

Use of present simple in series of events or actions

name 2

Answer 10

1. To describe a series of events or actions (e.g. to give directions or instructions) often with impersonal you
2. To express the immediacy of an event, e.g. in sports commentaries, particularly when the action being described is a quick one and is therefore over before the description finishes.

Question 11

Example of using present simple To describe a series of events or actions (e.g. to give directions or instructions)

Answer 11

From here you cross the road, go through an iron gate and follow the path west

Question 12

Compare using present simple To describe a series of events or actions (e.g. to give directions or instructions) to imperative

Answer 12

This is similar to the imperative, but the imperative can sound more abrupt:
Cross the road, go through an iron gate and follow the path west

Question 13

Example of Using present simple To express the immediacy of an event, e.g. in sports commentaries,

Answer 13

France kicks off, Zidane passes to Henry, Henry cuts inside

Question 14

What are other uses of present simple?
name 3
with examples

Answer 14

1. If we wish to give the events of a past narrative or an anecdote more immediacy
   There’s an old woman with thick glasses and a name tag. I go up to her and ask …
2. spaper headlines often use the present simple to express a past event, which again gives more immediacy to the event
   Addicted Chaplin star gets three years for new drugs lapse.
3. We use the present simple in formal speech or writing for certain actions
   I note that you referred to the National Curriculum in your speech …
   I look forward to receiving a prompt reply to my inquiry.
4. We can use the present simple to talk about fixed events in the future

Question 15

Present continuous spelling rules

Answer 15

Base form + -ing:
draw = drawing
Base form ending in -e + -ing:
 Take = taking
Base form + consonant + -ing:
swim = swimming,
run = running

Question 16

The omitting of …. and …. in forming present continuous+Example

Answer 16

We often omit the pronoun and auxiliary (is or are) when we repeat the present continuous in the same sentence:
James and Sally are spending the evening together, watching a new video.

Question 17

Common uses of present continuous

name 4

Answer 17

1. Things which are true now
2. Repeated events
3. Series of events
4. Other uses

Question 18

What we mean by “things which are true now”

+Examples

Answer 18

The present continuous describes an action in progress at the moment of speaking or around the time of speaking. The action is likely to continue after the time of speaking, but is likely to stop at some point, i.e. it is temporary:
I’ll be with you in a minute. I’m just finishing something in the kitchen.
We are staying with John to try and find out if his place really is haunted

Question 19

Common adverbs with present continuous form are ….

name 4 with an example

Answer 19

• now
• just
• still
• at the moment:
We're studying the writings of Günter Grass on the German course now.

Question 20

Name 4 verbs that are used in present continuous form if the action is temporary.

Answer 20

live
Work
Study
Stay

Question 21

False/true
She’s staying in the Waldorf Astoria on this visit to New York, isn’t she?
She stays in the Waldorf Astoria on this visit to New York, doesn’t she?
She always stays in the Waldorf Astoria on visits to New York.
Reason

Answer 21

T
F
T
live, Work, Study & Stay are used in present continuous form if the action is temporary

Question 22

An exception to the use of the present continuous to describe actions in progress

Answer 22

Here comes and There goes, which are always in the present simple

Question 23

False/True
Here is coming the postman. There is going the last bus.
Here comes the postman. There goes the last bus.

Answer 23

F

T

Question 24

Things that are changing which thing that are not changing.
which present form we use
Example

Answer 24

We also use the present continuous to describe things which are changing:
British summers are getting hotter and winters are getting wetter.
We do not use the present simple to express this:
False : British summers get hotter and winters get wetter.
The present simple describes a regular event which we see as unchanging:
We get a lot of rain during the winter in this part of the world.

Question 25

The difference between present simple and present continuous regarding their usage in expressing repeated events?

Answer 25

It is possible to use the present continuous to talk about repeated events or actions, usually if they happen within a temporary period:
I’m feeding the neighbour’s cat this week while she’s in hospital.
Repeated action over a long period of time VS repeated action in a temporary period

Question 26

Graham’s a confirmed smoker. He smokes about fifty cigarettes a day.
Graham’s having a tough time at the office at the moment and he’s smoking about fifty cigarettes a day!
Compare

Answer 26

Repeated action over a long period of time VS repeated action in a temporary period

Question 27

Adverbs used with present continuous to express repeated actions
3 Examples

Answer 27

Always and forever
to talk about repeated actions that happen very often, perhaps too often as far as the speaker is concerned
The baby’s always making cute little gurgling noises.
The neighbours are forever slamming doors and shouting during the night.
I’m always forgetting people’s birthdays. It’s so annoying.

Question 28

Series of events
how present continuous is used in this form
+Examples

Answer 28

used in sports commentaries, when the action is in progress throughout the time of speaking:
They’re now entering the back straight and El Garrouj is starting to pull away …

Question 29

2 other use for present continuous

Answer 29

1. With the present simple to give more immediacy to a past narrative
2. To express arrangements in the future

Question 30

The use of present continuous with the present simple to give more immediacy to a past narrative.
What is the usage of continuous in this form
+Example

Answer 30

We use the continuous for actions which form a background, i.e. they started before the actions within the narrative:
There’s an old woman with thick glasses who’s serving the hot drinks, so I go up to her and ask … (She started serving before the action of the narrative.)

Question 31

Verbs rarely used in the continuous

6 States they describe

Answer 31

1. Verbs of Existing or Being
2. Verbs of possessing
3. Verbs of feeling or wanting
4. Verbs of thinking or believing
5. Verbs of appearance
6. Other verbs

Question 32

Verbs rarely used in the continuous
1. Verbs of Existing or Being
4

Answer 32

Be
Consist of
Contain
Exist

Question 33

Verbs rarely used in the continuous
2. Verbs of possessing
6

Answer 33

Belong to
Have (= own)
Include
Lack
Own
Possess

Question 34

Verbs rarely used in the continuous
3. Verbs of feeling or wanting
15

Answer 34

Adore
Desire
Despise
Detest
Dislike
Envy
Hate
Like
Love
Need
Pity
Prefer
Trust
Want
Wish

Question 35

Verbs rarely used in the continuous
4. Verbs of thinking or believing
15

Answer 35

Believe
Doubt
Expect
Feel (= think)
Forget
Imagine
Intend
Know
Realise
Recognize
Remember
See (= understand)
Suppose
Think
Understand

Question 36

Verbs rarely used in the continuous
5. Verbs of appearance
3

Answer 36

Appear
Resemble
Seem

Question 37

Verbs rarely used in the continuous

Other verbs

Answer 37

Concern
Depend
Deserve
Fit
Matter
Measure
Mean
Mind
Weigh

Question 38

Is it possible to use many of the verbs stated above in the continuous
+Example

Answer 38

It is but the verb either
has a different meaning
/or expresses a temporary action
‘Is Maria ready yet?’ ‘No, she’s having a shower.’ (= is taking)
Now that there’s electricity in the village, Santos is thinking of getting his house connected. (=is considering)

Question 39

BE

Use in present simple Vs Use in present continuous

Answer 39

Your son is a very obedient child, isn’t he?

Your son is being very obedient at the moment. (= is behaving obediently)

Question 40

Have

Use in present simple Vs Use in present continuous

Answer 40

They’re very rich.

They have three homes and a yacht. I’m having a really good time, thanks. (= am experiencing)

Question 41

Think

Use in present simple Vs Use in present continuous

Answer 41

I think that the world’s problems are getting worse.

I’m thinking of contributing to Oxfam.( = am considering)

Question 42

Mean

Use in present simple Vs Use in present continuous

Answer 42

The sign means ‘slow down’.

You’re always meaning to call us, but you never do. (= are intending)

Question 43

Appear

Use in present simple Vs Use in present continuous

Answer 43

It appears the police have not started the investigation.

The Philharmonic are appearing at the Palladium. (= are performing)

Question 44

Weigh

Use in present simple Vs Use in present continuous

Answer 44

She weighs 70 kilos.

I’m weighing the ingredients for the cake. (= action of weighing)

Question 45

Name some verbs of feeling can be used in both the simple and the continuous with no change in meaning
2

Answer 45

My wrist hurts/is hurting again - I must go to the physiotherapist.
I think those mussels may have been off. Do you feel/Are you feeling OK today?

Question 46

Sense Verb

Using them in continuous form

Answer 46

We do not usually use the continuous form with verbs which describe a sense or a form of perception

Question 47

Name some sense verb

5

Answer 47

hear, notice, see, smell, taste

Question 48

False/true
I notice that your wife doesn’t come to the wine tastings. Doesn’t she drink?
I’m noticing that your wife doesn’t come to the wine tastings. Doesn’t she drink?

Answer 48

T

F

Question 49

Deliberately using the sense Vs not deliberately using the sense

Answer 49

1. we usually use the simple form or can/could + the verb when we do not deliberately use the sense, i.e. the use is involuntary:
   Can you smell the fertilizer? We’re really in the countryside now!
2. With smell and taste, we can use the continuous for a deliberate action:
   I (can) taste cream in this. (there is cream in the dish; involuntary action) I’m tasting the cream. (the cream might be off; intentional action)
3. We usually use the verbs see and hear only in the involuntary sense, unless they have a different meaning, e.g. I’m seeing a new man at present (= going out with). We use look at, watch or listen to for an intentional action:
   ✘Can you keep the noise down? I’m hearing the afternoon play
   ✔ Can you keep the noise down? I’m listening to the afternoon play.

Question 50

Performative verbs
What Do they do?
+Example

Answer 50

We use performative verbs in the first person actually to perform an action, i.e. saying I apologise performs the action of apologising:
On behalf of the company, I apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Question 51

Using performative verb in Simple VS Continuous

Answer 51

When these verbs ‘perform’ the function they express, they do not usually take the continuous:
Railtrack apologises for the disruption to services over the last three months.
By saying this, the function of apologising is performed. However, if we use the verb to describe the action rather than to do it, we can use the continuous:
The Railtrack chief executive was apologising profusely for the inconvenience.

Question 52

Common performative verbs: Name some

Answer 52

accept, agree, apologise, congratulate, declare, deny, disagree, forbid, forgive, guarantee, insist, invite, order, predict, promise, recommend, refuse, request, suggest, thank, warn.