Unit 19: The Simple Present and Present Continuous Tenses

Target Vocabulary

Here are some everyday words you will use with the Simple Present and Present Continuous tenses:

  • Oranges - a type of fruit
  • Mangoes - a sweet tropical fruit
  • Milk - a drink from cows
  • School - a place to learn
  • Park - a place outside to play
  • Baby - a young child
  • Swimming - an activity in water
  • Malay - a language
  • TV - a device to watch shows
  • Homework - school work at home
  • Chocolate sandwiches - a sweet snack
  • Solitaire - a card game
  • Kites - toys flown in the air

Grammar: Simple Present Tense

The Simple Present is used for:

  • Daily routines: I eat breakfast at 7 a.m.
  • Facts or truths: Water boils at 100°C.
  • Likes/dislikes: She likes chocolate sandwiches.

Structure:

Affirmative: Subject + base verb (+ s/es for he/she/it)

Negative: Subject + do/does not + base verb

Questions: Do/Does + subject + base verb?

Worked Examples

1. She plays Solitaire every evening.

2. They don’t like milk.

3. Do you go to school every day? — Yes, I do.

Grammar: Present Continuous Tense

The Present Continuous is used for actions happening right now or temporary situations.

Structure:

Affirmative: Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing

Negative: Subject + am/is/are not + verb-ing

Questions: Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing?

Worked Examples

1. I am drinking milk now.

2. The baby isn’t sleeping at the moment.

3. Are they playing in the park? — Yes, they are.

Frequency Adverbs with Simple Present

Adverbs like always, usually, often, sometimes, never show how often something happens.

They are placed before the main verb (except 'to be'):

  • I always eat oranges in the morning.
  • She is usually happy.

Illustration

Exercise Context
A cheerful family in a park. A mother is giving milk to her baby, children are flying kites, and someone is playing Solitaire on a bench. Sunny day, simple everyday scene, A1-A2 English context.

Practice Tip

Try to notice the difference between actions that happen regularly (Simple Present) and actions happening now (Present Continuous). Use the vocabulary words to make your own sentences.