The document provides information on the present continuous (also called present progressive) and present simple tenses in English. It explains when to use each tense and provides the affirmative, negative and interrogative sentence structures for both tenses. Examples are given for forming the present continuous using the verb "to be" plus the verb ending in "-ing" and for forming the 3rd person singular present simple by adding "-s" or "-es" to the base verb form. The document concludes with exercises for learners to practice using these tenses in sentences.

1. Present Continuous v/s Present Simple
Present Continuous Present Simple
Use The action happens at the same time the speaker
speaks. NOW
Habitual actions and true statements.
Affirmative
Sentences
Person + to be + Verbing + Complement
I am drinking my soda.
 To be means SER or ESTAR in Spanish.
 To be = AM – IS – ARE.
 -ING means -ando, -endo.
 (Sí el verbo infinitivo termina con -e
agrega una ing al verbo)
(Drive – e) + ING =
Driv + ING =
Driving
 (Sí el verbo infinitivo es muy corto duplica
la última consonante y agrega ING al
verbo)
(Cut +t) +ING =
Cutt +ING =
Cutting
 El resto de los verbos infinitivos usa -ING
Eat +ING = Eating.
Study + ING = Studying.
I
We + Inf. Verb + Complement
You
They
I go to the shop over there.
We study Math every day.
 (Con estas personas o pronombres
personales el verbo siempre es infinitivo,
no se conjuga o no cambia)
She
He + Verb + (-s , -es, -ies) + Complement
It
He goes to the garden.
It plays with a ball.
She always studies for the test.
 (Sí el verbo infinitivo termina con -o, -x,
-ss, -sh, o -ch; hay que agregar una -es
final al verbo)
Do = Does
Mix = Mixes
Miss = Misses
Wash = Washes
Watch = Watches
 (Sí el verbo infinitivo termina con -Y , pero
antes hay una consonante; cambie la Y
por -ies.)
Study = Studies
Fly = Flies
 (Sí el verbo no cumple con las reglas
anteriormente nombradas sólo hay que
agregar -s)
Play = Plays
(En este caso el verbo termina con Y , pero antes
tiene la vocal a.)
Negative
Sentences
Person + (to be + not) + verbing + Complement.
I am not working here.
They aren’t eating hamburgers.
She isn't studying with you.
Person + Don't + Inf. Verb + Complement.
Doesn't
I don't do my homework.
My dog doesn't bark every night.
They do not pay attention to the instructions.
(El verbo siempre es infinitivo al estar presente los
auxiliares.)
Interrogative
Sentences
(Existen dos tipos de preguntas)
1. La pregunta que comienza con el verbo to be
se responde sólo con una afirmación o una
negación. No pide más información de la que ya
esta presente en la pregunta.
(Existen dos tipos de preguntas)
1. La pregunta que comienza con el auxiliar del
presente simple (Do o Does) se responde sólo
con una afirmación o una negación. No pide más
información de la que ya esta presente en la
pregunta.
Teacher Danitza Lazcano Flores
English Language Department 2013

2. To be + person + verbing + complement?
Are you sleeping on my bed ?
Yes, I am / No, I am not.
2. La pregunta que comienza con una Wh-
question requiere de más información o de
información que no se encuentra dentro de la
pregunta.
Wh + to be + person+verbing +Complement+?
Where is she playing now ?
She is playing in Chinchorro beach.
(En este caso la respuesta es una oración
afirmativa)
Do + person + inf. Verb + Complement + ?
Does
Do you swim in the pool ?
Does the cat drink milk after 8:00?
Yes, I do. / No I don't.
Yes, it does. / No, it doesn't.
2. La pregunta que comienza con una Wh-
question requiere de más información o de
información que no se encuentra dentro de la
pregunta.
Wh + do + person + inf. Verb +Complement+?
does
When do we make our tables ?
We do our tables at Juan's shop.
(En este caso la respuesta es una oración
afirmativa)
Names Present Progressive or Now present None
Adverbs
(Examples)
Time : Today, now, right now, at the
moment, this night, at night, etc.
Manner : slowly, beautifully, etc.
Place : on, in, Santiago, in the park, etc.
Frequency : Always, never, seldom, etc.
Manner : hard, quickly, etc.
Time : every day, every year, etc.
Place: over there, here, Paris, etc.
EXERCISE 1: Write in singular the following paragraphs (Present Simple)
1. They tell me that when they get home every afternoon they have some food and then change their clothes;
they never eat or drink anything while they are at the office, unless the hot weather makes them very thirsty.
2. These boys say that they always listen carefully, but do not always understand their teachers because they
speak too quickly and choose very difficult words.
3. Careful students want to learn quickly always put back the books they have read before they take out others.
These girls come to our library every Thursday and read a book every week; they like English and want to
learn quickly.
4. Their children walk to school every morning and look for their friends on the way; when they see them they run
to them and laugh and play and enjoy themselves until they hear the school bell.
EXERCISE 2: Write the meaning and -ing forms for the following verbs. (Present Continuous)
Infinitive verb Gerund (verbing) Translation Infinitive verb Gerund (verbing) Translation
1. hit 11. get
2. come 12. join
3. clap 13. study
4. hurt 14. win
5. look 15. pay
6. dream 16. shine
7. take 17. sign
8. keep 18. wait
9. bite 19. fly
10. camp 20. write

3. EXERCISE 3: Look at the picture and write 5 sentences about it.
1. ____________________________________________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________________________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________________________________________________________
EXERCISE 4: Make questions. Give short answers to yes / no questions.
..
I. A: What _____________________________ (you / write) ?
B: __________________________________ (A letter)
2. A: ______________________ (Ali / read) a book?
B: ______________________ (No / he)
3. A: ______________________ (Anna / eat) her lunch?
B: ______________________ (Yes / she)
4. A: Where _________________________ (Anna / eat) her lunch?
B: _____________________________________________________ (At the Red Bird Cafe)
5. A: __________________________ (Mike / drink) a cup of coffee?
B: __________________________ (No /he)
6. A: What _______________________________ (he / drink)?
B: ____________________________________ (A cup of tea)
7. A: __________________________________ (the girls / play) in the street?
B: __________________________________ (No / they)
8. A: Why ______________________________ (they / play) in the street?
B: Because, ___________________________ (they / have) a break.