Page 18 - English Grammar in Use

Unit Present continuous and present simple 1
3 (I am doing and I do)

A Compare:
present continuous (I am doing) present simple (I do)
We use the continuous for things happening at We use the simple for things in general or things
or around the time of speaking. that happen repeatedly.
The action is not complete.

I am doing I do
past now future past now future

The water is boiling. Be careful. Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
Listen to those people. What language Excuse me, do you speak English?
are they speaking?
Let’s go out. It isn’t raining now. It doesn’t rain very much in summer.
‘I’m busy.’ ‘What are you doing?’ What do you usually do at weekends?

I’m getting hungry. Let’s go and eat. I always get hungry in the afternoon.
Kate wants to work in Italy, so she’s Most people learn to swim when they
learning Italian. are children.
The population of the world is Every day the population of the world
increasing very fast. increases by about 200,000 people.

We use the continuous for temporary situations We use the simple for permanent situations
(things that continue for a short time): (things that continue for a long time):
I’m living with some friends until I find a My parents live in London. They have
place of my own. lived there all their lives.
a: You’re working hard today. Joe isn’t lazy. He works hard most of
b: Yes, I have a lot to do. the time.
See Unit 1 for more information. See Unit 2 for more information.

B I always do and I’m always doing
I always do something = I do it every time:
I always go to work by car. (not I’m always going)

I’m always doing something = I do it too often or more often than normal.

For example:
I’ve lost my keys again. I’m always losing them.

I’m always losing them = I lose them too often,

or more often than normal.

Paul is never satisfied. He’s always complaining. (= he complains too much)
You’re always looking at your phone. Don’t you have anything else to do?

esent c
6 How long have you (been) … ? Unit 11Unit 4 Present tenses for the future ➜ Unit 19
ontinuous and simple 2

➜
Pr