Present simple vs Present Progressive

I bakethen I eat and drink

I’m bakingAnd I’m listening to music

In general or right now?

One after another or at the same time?

The film starts at 8 pm.We are going to the cinema tonight, at 8

pm.

Schedule or arrangement?

??I go to school by bus

I’m going to school by bus today

Daily routine or just for a limited period of time?

The following verbs are usually only used in Simple Present (not in the progressive form).•state: be, cost, fit, mean, suit Example: We are on holiday.•possession: belong, have Example: Sam has a cat.•senses: feel, hear, see, smell, taste, touch Example: He feels the cold.•feelings: hate, hope, like, love, prefer, regret, want, wish Example: Jane loves pizza.•brain work: believe, know, think, understand Example: I believe you.•Introductory clauses for direct speech: answer, ask, reply, say Example: “I am watching TV,“ he says.

Certain Verbs

Present perfect vs Present perfect continuous

I have written 5 letters.

I have been writing for 2 hours.

Result or duration?

Emphasis on completion or duration?What have you been doing?

I have been doing my homeworkI have done my

homework

Result or side effect?

I have washed the car. Why are you so wet? I have been washing the car.

Permanent or temporary?

Present Perfect Simple Present Perfect Progressive

Permanent

James has lived in this town for 10 years. (Meaning: He is a permanent resident of this town.)

temporary

James has been living here for a year. (Meaning: This situation is only temporary. Maybe he is an exchange student and only here for one or two years.)

Certain verbs

The following verbs are usually only used in Present Perfect Simple (not in the progressive form).

• state: be, have (for possession only) Example: We have been on holiday for two weeks.• senses: feel, hear, see, smell, taste, touch

Example: He has touched the painting.• brain work: believe, know, think, understand

Example: I have known him for 3 years.

Present Perfect vs Past simple

Certain event in the past or how often so far?

Simple Past Present Perfect Simplecertain event in the past

Example: He went to Canada last summer.

Not at a specific time

Example: Have you ever been to Canada? /

???

We went to Canada last summer.

We have been to Canada twice.

Certain event or unspecific event in the past ?

Emphasis on action or result?

Simple Past Present Perfect SimpleEmphasis on action

I bought a new bike. (just telling what I did in the past.)

Emphasis on result

I have bought a new bike. (With this sentence I actually want to express that I have a new bike now.)

Simple Past Present Perfect Simple

•yesterday•... ago•in 1990•the other day•last ...

•just•already•up to now•until now / till now•ever•(not) yet•so far•lately / recently

Signal Words