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Present Simple and Present Continuous

 

Present Simple (base form) Present Continuous (present of BE + ...-ing)

We use the Present Simple:

1. for permanent situations:

I live in a flat. (Locuiesc intr-un apartament.)

She works for an insurance company. (Lucreaza pentru o companie de asigurari.)

 

 

 

2. for repeated actions or habits:

I use my mobile phone every day.(Imi folosesc telefonul mobil zilnic.)

3. for general truths:

The sun rises in the East. (Soarele rasare in Est.)

Matter consists of small particles. (Materia este alcatuita din particule minuscule.)

NOT: Water is boiling at 100 degrees.

CORRECT: Water boils at 100 degrees. (Apa fierbe la 100 grade.)

4. to tell stories, or summarise the plot of a film or book:

Our hero goes off to serach for the treasure, which he eventually finds after many adventures.

We use the Present Continuous:

1. for temporary situations existing for a period at the present time:

I'm staying with a friend at the moment.(Stau cu un prieten acum.)

She's working very hard nowadays.(Lucreaza din greu zilele astea.)

NOT: Just now I wait to do my military service.

CORRECT: Just now I am waiting to do my military service. (Chiar acum astept sa-mi fac stagiul militar.)

2. for situations which are changing during the present time:

The weather's getting hotter and hotter. (Vremea devine din ce in ce mai calduroasa.)

3. for actions, or repeted actions or habits, occurring at the moment of speaking:

I am using John's mobile phone because I left mine at home. (Folosesc telefonul mobil al lui John deoarece pe al meu mi l-am lasat acasa.)

You are eating too fast. (Mananci prea repede.)

 

4. to express annoying habits with words like always:

You're always borrowing money! (Totdeauna imprumuti bani!)

 

- When we use always with the Present Simple, it usually means "every time" :

I always complain if the service is bad in restaurants. (Mereu ma plang daca servirea este proasta in restaurant.)

- When we use alwais whith the Present Continuous, it means "all the time" or "too/very often":

You're always complaining thet waiters are rude. (mereu te plangi ca chelnerii sunt nepoliticosi.)

- We cannot use never ... again whith the Present Simple:

Not: I never speak to you again.

Correct: I'm never speaking to you again.

- We do not usually use certain verbs in the Present Continuous, e.g.:

apperance: appear, look, resemble, seem

composition: consist of, contain, include, have

connection: come from, concern, cost, fit, suit

experience: be, exist