Simple Present and Present Continuous Tenses

Simple Present Tense

Meaning

• Characteristic
• Habitual or repeated action

Form

Simple form, but add “-s” to the verb when the subject is one person or thing (he, she, it, the desk, my hand). Exception: Not I or you

Time Words:

• Used to show how often something happens
  • Always
  • Usually
  • Often
  • Frequently
  • Sometimes
  • Occasionally
  • Every now and then
  • Once in a while
  • Seldom
  • Rarely
  • Almost never
  • Never
• Used to show routine/regular actions
  • Daily
  • Weekly
  • Monthly
  • Biennially
  • On Mondays
  • Yearly/Annually
  • Hourly
  • Nightly
  • On weekends
  • On weekdays
  • Each/every day
  • Each/every week
  • Each/every month
  • Each/every weekend
  • Each/every year
  • Each/every morning
  • Each/every afternoon
  • Each/every evening
  • Each/every second
  • Each/every minute
  • Each/every hour
  • Every few months
  • Every few years
  • Every few hours
  • Every few minutes, etc.
  • Once a year
  • Twice a year
  • Three times a week
  • Four times a month, etc.

Present Continuous Tense

Meaning

• Action that is happening right now
• Action happening in a present block of time (this semester, this week) and that will end at some future time

Form

“Is/are” + verb + “-ing”

Time Words

• Right now
• At this moment
• At this point
• At this minute
• Today
• This morning
• This afternoon
• This evening
• All day
• At present
• Presently
• Currently
• Temporarily
• These days
• For the time being
• This week
• This month
• This semester
• This year
• All month

Present continuous tense can be used with “always,” “forever,” and “constantly” when meant as a complaint or when expressed with some emotion:

• She is always dropping things.
• She is forever getting inside my jewelry box.
• He is constantly whining for more attention.