GRAMMAR GENIUS: PRESENT SIMPLE VS PRESENT CONTINUOUS

Hamilton House ELT has a more than interesting collection of videos on theirYouTube channel.

On this video you can revise the difference between present simple for habitual actions and present continous for actions we are doing now.

The video also shows some examples of stative verbs, [verbs that never take the present continuous form]: love, like, hate.

Finally, we can also see the use of present continuous to talk about fixed future plans (my cousing is coming; he’s only staying for dinner; I’m staying for a week).

Here is the script:

Present simple vs present continuous and stative verbs

Mark Spark and Betty Brain are scientists. Mark is an inventor and Betty is his assistant. Today Betty and Mark are in their lab. They are working on some experiments.

– Mark, what are you making?

– I’m making a present for my cousin George. He is coming today for a short visit.

– But that’s a carton of milk.

– It looks like a carton of milk, but it’s not. I connect it with my mobile phone and it becomes a speaker. George loves milk and loves music too.

– Why are you wearing a tie? You never wear ties.

– I hate ties, but I’m wearing this tie because it’s a present from my cousin George.

– Mark, what are you cooking?

– I’m cooking vegetables.

– Vegetables? But you hate vegetables! You always eat meat.

– Yes, but cousin George is a vegetarian. He doesn’t eat meat.

– What are you doing? – I’m putting away my things. It’s always a disaster when George comes. Thanks goodness he is only staying for dinner. – George, nice to see you. This is Betty, my lovely assistant. – Hello Betty, nice to meet you. – Nice to meet you too, George. – Where can I put my suitcases? I’m staying for a week. – Oh, no!