Lesson 3: Express present time

Choose simple or continuous from how the situation is viewed.

~45 MINUTES · TENSE AND ASPECT

Simple presents a fact or state

Use present simple for habits, repeated events, general truths, schedules, and states: I work from home on Fridays. This key belongs to Ana. It presents the situation without focusing on its internal progress.

Continuous presents unfolding activity

Use am/is/are + -ing for activity around now, temporary situations, change, or repeated behaviour framed as temporary: I am working from home this week. Prices are rising. You are always losing your key.

Meaning can change

I think the plan is risky. opinion/state

I am thinking about the plan. mental activity

The soup tastes salty. perception

The chef is tasting the soup. deliberate action

Keywords such as “now” help, but intended view decides the form. Cambridge Grammar Today distinguishes state, action, and event verbs and allows continuous forms when meaning becomes active.[1]

Contrast drill

Write five pairs about work or daily life: stable vs temporary, habit vs activity now, state vs deliberate action, usual trend vs current change, neutral repetition vs annoyed repetition.

Controlled practice

  1. Choose: “I work / am working here permanently.”
  2. Choose: “I work / am working from home this week.”
  3. Contrast have as possession and activity.
  4. Contrast see as perception and arranged meeting.
  5. Correct: “I am knowing the answer.”
  6. Explain: “You always interrupt” vs “You are always interrupting.”
  7. Describe one changing trend.
  8. Describe one timetable with present simple.
Check controlled answers
  1. I work here permanently.
  2. I am working from home this week.
  3. I have a car; I am having lunch.
  4. I see the problem; I am seeing Ana tomorrow.
  5. I know the answer.
  6. Continuous version frames repetition as marked, often temporary or annoying.
  7. Example: Prices are rising.
  8. Example: The meeting starts at nine.

Shortcut that works

Ask “stable whole or unfolding view?” before searching for time words. Intended view usually decides aspect faster.

Production lab

Retrieval practice

Your win: five present-time pairs whose form changes because meaning changes.

Primary source

Use Cambridge verb types and British Council B1-B2 grammar for contrast exercises.

Ask your teaching agent to challenge each tense choice by changing the intended view.

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