UNIT 3

UNIT 3 Present continuous (I am doing) or simple present (I do)?

 Before you study this unit, study Units 1 and 2.

A) Study this explanation and compare the examples:

Present continuous (I am doing) Use the present continuous to talk about something that is happening at or close to the time of speaking: I am doing

Simple present (I do) Use the present to talk about things in general or things that happen repeatedly: I do

Past                          now                        future The water is boiling. Could you turn it off, please? Listen to those people. What language are they speaking? ‘’Where's Tom?"He's playing tennis . (you find a stranger in your room) What are you doing here? Maria is in Canada for three months. She's learning English. Use the present continuous for a temporary situation: I'm living with some friends until I can find an apartment. Mary usually has a summer job, but she isn't working this summer.

Past                          now                        future  Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius. Excuse me, do you speak English? Tom plays tennis every Saturday. What do you usually do on the weekend Most people learn to swim when they are children. Use the simple present for a permanent situation: My parents live in Boston. They have been there for 20 years.  Jack doesn't work during the summer. He always takes a long vacation.

B) Some verbs are used only in simple tenses. For example, you cannot say "I am knowing." You can only say I know. Here is a list of verbs that are not normally used in continuous  tenses (but there are exceptions):

remember              want               like                suppose                    belong                     know  

forget                      need               love                 realize                        see                         mean   

prefer                      hate                hear                believe                 understand                 seem    

have  (meaning "possess’’)           think (meaning "believe "/’’have an opinión’’)

          1.  Do you like Rome? (not are you liking)

          2.  He doesn't understand the problem.  (not he isn't understanding)

          3.  These shoes belong to me. (not are belonging)

          4.  Do you have a car? (not are you having)

but:   5. What are you thinking about? (=What is going on in your mind?)