UNIT 4: PRESENT CONTINUOUS vs SIMPLE PRESENT Talk about present THE PRESENT SIMPLE Permanent actions - Usually we have dinner at - I often drive to work Talk about the future Plans and arrangements - What are you doing tonight? - I'm seeing a very important customer in my office at o'clock - We are going to the see for our holiday - Where are you staying in Vienna? - I'm not going anywhere It is final Talk about habits Normal habits - I often watch TV - He sometimes drink beer State verbs THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS Temporary actions - Usually we have dinner at 7, but today we are having it at - I often drive to work but I'm taking the train this morning because my car is in for repair - I usually don't drink coffee but I'm having one this morning because there is nothing else Timetable, schedules, itineraries etc - My plane takes off at 9.00 - The President arrives in Norway on 17 September - What time does your train leave? Annoying, unusual habits - My flatmate is always leaving the kitchen in a mess! - He is always watching TV Some verbs are not normally used in the Continuous Tense They are called "state" verbs with state (or stative) verbs such as like, dislike, love, think, seem, look,know, f eel, understand, want, need, hate,remembe r, forget, prefer, believe, mean,taste, hear, s ee, have (when the meaning is "possess"), own, belong, etc These verbs are not normally used in the Continuous Tense Some verbs used in the simple form can also be used in the continuous form That's typically when they have an active meaning or emphasize change Very often these sentences have a completely different meaning: Verb Form Verb Example Meaning Simple to think I think you should see a doctor opinion Continuous to be thinking I'm thinking of changing my flat trying to reach a decision Simple to love I love going to the cinema feeling Continuous to be loving You look great in this hat I'm loving it, man! emphasis or gradual process Simple to smell I smell something burning sense Continuous to be smelling My baby was smelling a flower activity Simple to have He's really rich — he has cars possession When you called me, I was having a bath activity I can see you have a big garden sense I'm seeing him later appointment I could taste a lot of sugar in the wine sense He was tasting the cake and said it was OK activity Continuous to be having Simple to see Continuous to be seeing Simple to taste Continuous to be tasting Keep in mind there is a group of verbs that can be used in both the continuous and simple forms with no difference These are, for example, the verbs "to hurt" and "to feel": How is Mary feeling after the accident? How does she feel after the accident? You look well today You are looking well today ... activity Continuous to be having Simple to see Continuous to be seeing Simple to taste Continuous to be tasting Keep in mind there is a group of verbs that can be used in both the continuous and simple. .. to the cinema feeling Continuous to be loving You look great in this hat I'm loving it, man! emphasis or gradual process Simple to smell I smell something burning sense Continuous to be smelling... Form Verb Example Meaning Simple to think I think you should see a doctor opinion Continuous to be thinking I'm thinking of changing my flat trying to reach a decision Simple to love I love going