Amarchand SinghviInternational School

Subject : English Language

Class : X

Topic : Tenses

[ Simple Present & Present Continuous]

Teacher : Mr. Sanjay Chakraborty

E-Learning Programme

Part ISIMPLE PRESENT TENSE

Simple Present FormsThe simple present is just the base form of the verb. Questions are made with do/does and negative forms are made with do not/does not.

Statement: You speak English. He speaks English.Question: Do you speak English? Does he speak English?Negative: You do not speak English. He does not speak English.

1.Repeated Actions

Use the simple present to express the idea that an action is repeated or usual. The action can be a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens. It can also be something a person often forgets or usually does not do.

She does not play tennis.Does he play tennis?The train leaves every morning at 8 AM.When does the train usually leave?She always forgets her purse.Every twelve months, the Earth circles the Sun.Does the Sun circle the Earth?

2. Facts or Generalizations

The simple present can also indicate the speaker believes that a fact was true before, is true now, and will be true in the future. It is not important if the speaker is correct about the fact. It is also used to make generalizations about people or things.

3. Scheduled Events in the Near Future

Speakers occasionally use simple present to talk about scheduled events in the near future. This is most commonly done when talking about public transportation, but it can be used with other scheduled events as well.

Birds do not like milk.California is in America.Windows are made of glass.Windows are not made of wood.New York is a small city. [It is not important that this fact is untrue.] The train leaves tonight at 6 PM.The bus does not arrive at 11 AM, it arrives at 11 PM.When do we board the plane?The party starts at 8 o'clock.When does class begin tomorrow?

4. Now (Non-Continuous Verbs)Speakers sometimes use the simplepresent to express the idea that an actionis happening or is not happening now. Thiscan only be done with non-continuousverbs and certain mixed verbs.

Non-Continuous VerbsThese verbs are usually things you cannot see somebody doing. These verbs are rarely used in continuous tenses. They include:Abstract Verbsto be, to want, to cost, to seem, to need, to care, to contain, to owe, to exist...Possession Verbsto possess, to own, to belong...Emotion Verbsto like, to love, to hate, to dislike, to fear, to envy, to mind...

Mixed VerbsThe third group, called "mixed verbs," is the smallest group. These verbs have more than one meaning. In a way, each meaning is a unique verb. Some meanings behave like "non-continuous verbs," while other meanings behave like "normal verbs."

to appear, to feel, to have, to hear, to look, to see, to weigh...

Donna appears confused. Non-Continuous Verb[Donna seems confused.]My favorite singer is appearing at the jazz club tonight. Normal Verb[My favorite singer is giving a performance at the jazz club tonight.]I have a dollar now. Non-Continuous Verb[I possess a dollar.]I am having fun now. Normal Verb[I am experiencing fun now.]

Part iiPRESENT

CONTINUOUS TENSE

What is the present continuous?The present continuous tense is a grammaticaltense that can be used to describe events that arehappening in the present – right now, while you aretalking about something, or in the future –something that may or will happen later on.We can use the present continuous to describeimmediate events taking place in the currentmoment:She is cooking dinner right now and cannot answerthe phone.You can also use it in the same way for the negativeform: They are not watching TV at the moment.

Temporary eventsFor longer actions that may be taking place for atemporary period only, you can use the presentcontinuous tense to describe them. It can be usedfor any temporary situation, no matter how long orshort it is.He is studying a new language at the moment.My brother is working for the Tatas these days.These days I am looking into the matter.

A new pattern or habitThe present continuous tense is used for describing events or actions that are new and different from events in the past. In this case, the tense can be used to highlight the contrast between the old and new.These days, people are writing emails lesser than they used to a few years ago.It can also be used to describe a regular habit that someone has – whether it is a good habit, or a bad one!You are always running late with all your deadlines!

Future plansWhen describing something that will take place inthe future, the present continuous tense can beused when we are discussing something that isalready discussed or planned ahead.When we arrive at the airport, we are taking aprivate car direct to the hotel. [planning forfuture]

When not to useIt is important to bear in mind that we cannot use the present continuous for all events taking place in the present. We do not use it to describe events that happen normally, or for a long time:“I play the piano every morning” is correct.[Simple Present]“I am playing the piano every morning” is not correct, unless it is a new habit one has just started.

The present continuous verb is not used with non-continuous verbs. These are a small group of verbs that describe things that you cannot normally see someone do, for example: to love, to fear, to want, to cost, and others. With these verbs, we use the present simple tense instead.A loaf of bread costs forty rupees. We do not say ------- A loaf of bread is costing forty rupees.

Note: This presentation is a part of the E-Learning Program of Amarchand

Singhvi International School and is created only for educational purpose.

Compilation & presentation : Mr. Sanjay Chakraborty

Web support & management : Mr. Deepak Chellani

Technical support : Mr. Shivam Gundecha

E-learning Program Co-ordination:

Mr. Prashant Chaturvedi

Produced by

Mr. Mridul Varma (Principal)

Amarchand Singhvi International School

Parekh Parisar, Ward 7A, Gandhidham – Kutch

Gujarat 370201 India