Simple and continuous (progressive) tenses

QUICK & EASY!

M. van Eijk/MA

SimpleSimple and and continuouscontinuous tenses: tenses:

>>with or without –ing. (that’s the question!)>>with or without –ing. (that’s the question!)

In English you can form all tenses with or In English you can form all tenses with or

without the –ing-form:without the –ing-form:

I sleep…I sleep…

I slept…I slept…

I had slept…I had slept…

I will sleep…I will sleep…

I am sleeping…I am sleeping…

I was sleeping…I was sleeping…

I had been sleeping… I had been sleeping…

I will be sleeping…I will be sleeping…

ContinuousContinuous to BE + ww+-INGto BE + ww+-ING

I am walking;I am walking;I was walking; I was walking; I will be walking; (etc.)I will be walking; (etc.)

We use the Present We use the Present Continuous Tense to talk Continuous Tense to talk about activities happening about activities happening now.now.

When I arrived, they were When I arrived, they were already playing poker.already playing poker.

Simple formSimple formNo continuous > No continuous > (NO BE + ww+-ING)(NO BE + ww+-ING)

I walk; I walk; I walked;I walked;I will walk; (etc.)I will walk; (etc.)

HabitsHabits. . He always does his He always does his work quickly.work quickly.

FactsFacts..Ireland lies west of Ireland lies west of Great BritainGreat Britain

NoteNote

ContinuousContinuous to BE + ww+-INGto BE + ww+-ING I am working;I am working; I was working; I was working; I will be working; I will be working; etc.etc.

The Present Continuous The Present Continuous Tense is also used to talk Tense is also used to talk about activities happening about activities happening in the near future, especially in the near future, especially for planned future events.for planned future events.

Examples:I am seeing my dentist on Wednesday. I am seeing my dentist on Wednesday. Polly is coming for dinner tomorrow. Polly is coming for dinner tomorrow. Are you doing anything tonight? Are you doing anything tonight? We aren't going on holiday next weekWe aren't going on holiday next week..

No continuousNo continuous(NO BE + ww+-ING)(NO BE + ww+-ING)I work; I work; I worked;I worked;I will work; etc.I will work; etc.

Generally true.Generally true. The sun rises in the east.The sun rises in the east.

Permanent situation.Permanent situation. She works in a bank.She works in a bank.

Future after ‘when’,’until’Future after ‘when’,’until’I won’t go out until it I won’t go out until it stops raining.stops raining.

NoteNote

ContinuousContinuous to BE + ww+-INGto BE + ww+-ING I am going;I am going; I was going; I was going; I will be going; etc.I will be going; etc.

The Present Continuous The Present Continuous Tense is also used with Tense is also used with Repetition and Irritation with Repetition and Irritation with "Always""Always"

Examples:•Luc is always coming to work late.•She is constantly talking. I wish she would shut up.•I don't like Salma and Jim because they are always shouting.

No continuousNo continuous(NO BE + ww+-ING)(NO BE + ww+-ING)

I go; I go; I went;I went;I will go; etc.I will go; etc.

Future timetables.Future timetables. Our train leaves at 10 Our train leaves at 10 AM.AM.

NoteNote

No continuous!!!!No continuous!!!!You cannot use be+ -ing:You cannot use be+ -ing:

•Unexpected (short duration) happeningsUnexpected (short duration) happeningsHe fell/was falling down the stairs.He fell/was falling down the stairs.We were working, when a tractor ran/was running We were working, when a tractor ran/was running into our living-room.into our living-room.

•The verbs.: know, see, smell, feel, want, wish, The verbs.: know, see, smell, feel, want, wish, mean, believe, love, like, think(=vinden)mean, believe, love, like, think(=vinden)I know / am knowing her. I know / am knowing her. She thinks / is thinking she's cool.She thinks / is thinking she's cool.I love / am loving it. I love / am loving it. Watch out:Watch out:I think/am thinking about a math-problem.I think/am thinking about a math-problem.

Another reason not to visit MD too often !

NoteNote

Simple present tense

Remember !

Exercise:Exercise: I am working/I am working/IworkIwork1.1.Where's Tom? -He [do] his homework. Where's Tom? -He [do] his homework. He [do] so every afternoon at the same He [do] so every afternoon at the same time.'time.'

2.2.Where's Mrs Stuart?' - 'She Where's Mrs Stuart?' - 'She [prepare] dinner.'[prepare] dinner.'

3.3.Mother always [have] a cup of tea at Mother always [have] a cup of tea at three o'clock.three o'clock.

4.4.Have you any idea who [make] that Have you any idea who [make] that terrible noise?terrible noise?

5.5.My sister [ring] me up every day.My sister [ring] me up every day.

Exercise:Exercise: I was workingI was working/ I worked/ I worked6.6.I (read) a book when suddenly the light I (read) a book when suddenly the light (go) out (go) out

7.7.She [fall] while she [run] after a bus.She [fall] while she [run] after a bus.8.8.When he [go] out the sun [shine].When he [go] out the sun [shine].9.9.Your father [lay] the table for dinner Your father [lay] the table for dinner while you [wash] your hands.while you [wash] your hands.

10.10.Large crowds [wait] at the station when Large crowds [wait] at the station when the Prince [arrive].the Prince [arrive].

11.11.While you [play] the piano I [write] an While you [play] the piano I [write] an E-mail. E-mail.

12.12.The ship [sink], so all the passengers The ship [sink], so all the passengers [jump] into the life-boats.[jump] into the life-boats.

Exercise:Exercise: I was workingI was working/I worked/I worked6.6.We [walk] to the station when it [begin] We [walk] to the station when it [begin] to rain.to rain.

7.7.We [walk] under a bridge when a car We [walk] under a bridge when a car [crashed].[crashed].

Choose the correct one:Choose the correct one:14.14.How long (did you wait/have you been How long (did you wait/have you been waiting/were you waiting) here?waiting/were you waiting) here?

15.15.This time next week I will be skiing/will This time next week I will be skiing/will ski in Austria.ski in Austria.

I hope it is now all clear to you. And when that’s not the case? Well, you know what to do!

M. van Eijk/ MA