[FCE] Present Simple and Present Continuous

Present Simple (base form)	Present Continuous  (present of be + …-ing)
We use the Present Simple:	We use the Present Continuous:
For permanent situations: I live in a flat. She works for an insurance company.	For temporary situations existing for a period at the present time: I’m staying with a friend at the moment. She’s working very hard nowadays. Just now I wait to do my military service. Just now I’m waiting to do my military service.
	For situations which are changing during the present time: The weather’s getting hotter and hotter.
For repeated actions or habits: I use my mobile phone everyday.	For actions, or repeated actions or habits, occurring at the moment of speaking: I am using John’s mobile phone because I left mine at home. You’re eating too fast.
For general truths: The sun rises in the East. Matter consists of small particles. Water is boiling at 100 degrees. Water boils at 100 degrees.
To tell stories, or summarize the plot of a film or book: Our hero goes off to search for the reassure, which he eventually finds after many adventures.
	To express annoying habits with words like always. You’re always borrowing money.

                                                

When we use always with the Present Simple, it usually means ‘everytime’: I always complain if the service is bad in restaurants.	We do not usually use certain verbs in the Present Continuous, e.g.: appearance: appear, resemble, seem composition: consist of, contain, have connection: come from, concern, cost, fit, suit existence: be, exist knowledge: forget, know, realize, understand likes and dislikes: dislike, hate, like, love, prefer needs and wants: need, want, wish opinion: believe, doubt, imagine, suppose, think possession: belong to, have, own, owe, possess senses: feel, hear, notice, see, smell, sound, taste
When we use always with the Present Continuous, it means ‘all the time’ or ‘too/very often’: You’re always complaining that waiters are rude.
We cannot use never … again with the Present Simple: I never speak to you again. I’m never speaking to you again.

We can use some of these verbs in the Present Continuous when they have different meanings. Her are some examples:
Present Simple	Present Continuous
She has (got) a big car. (= possession) I have three brothers. (= connection)	She is having an operation/a good time/a meal/a bath. (=actively involved in)
They think it’s too expensive. (= opinion)	They are thinking of buying a cheaper car. (= considering) I’m just thinking. (= at this moment)
I feel what we did was wrong. (= opinion)	I am feeling exhausted. (= physical reaction)
Do you see what I mean? (= knowledge; understand) This juice tastes good. (= senses) She appears to be very upset. (= appearance)	Are you seeing a lot of Mary nowadays? (= spending time with) You’re seeing things – there’s nobody at the window. (= imagining) He is tasting the milk to see if it’s OK. (= checking the quality) The Blues Band is appearing at the Odeon on Saturday. (= performing)
We can use the verbs that describe the way we feel physically in a Simple or Continuous form with no change of meaning: I feel sick.          OR          I am feeling sick. My feet ache.     OR          My feet are aching. My leg hurts.      OR          My leg’s hurting.

Source: Grammar & Vocabulary for First Certificate

Artikel Terkait: