The present

I can use the present simple and the present continuous to talk about present and
future time.

Present simple or present continuous?

The Leaves are turvuiÿg ora vÿe

ÍÍU.tUV\A,l*,\

i tefvow.

ou telli.kv0

Because they loo\z beautiful

oh, yes ... I suppose you're right.

We use the present simple to talk about events that are We use the present continuous to talk about events
repeated or true for a long period of time. This includes: that are true for a short period of time.This includes:
habits and routines actions in progress at the time of speaking
w/* ni/* /m r\\/
//ÿki / i a tr\ W
Pete cleans nis room every weekena. e isn r wearing a rial
scientific facts temporary situations
Lemons don't grow in cold countries. She's helping Henry a lot this week.
permanent situations We aren't learning French this year.
We live on Baker Road. changing situations
opinions, beliefs and states The lessons are getting more difficult.
He loves talking about films. The leaves are turning orange.
This product contains nuts. There are some expressions that mean 'now' or 'about
We often use adverbs of frequency and other time now'that we often use with the present continuous:
expressions when we use the present simple to talk these days, this week, at the moment, nowadays.
about habits and routines: always, usually,often, These expressions can go at the beginning or the end
sometimes, rarely, hardly ever, never; every hourI
dayI of the sentence.
week/ month/year; once/twice/three times an hour¡dayI He's living in Spain nowadays.
week/mon th/year. At the moment the computer isn't working.
We put adverbs of frequency before the main verb We can use the adverb still before the main verb
or after be. with both tenses to emphasize that a situation hasn't
He's always late. changed or continues longer than expected.
We put other time expressions at the end of the They still play tennis every day.
sentence. Why are you still sitting there?
He never wastes money. We also use the present continuous to talk about
Suzy comes here on Wednesday afternoons. future plans and arrangements. In these sentences
We also use the present simple to talk about we use a future time expression.
timetabled future events. I'm meeting Alison on Friday afternoon.
The next bus leaves at 6. 15 p.m. 'Are you coming on Thursday?' 'Yes, Iam.'

30 The present
O 5.1 Listen and choose the best option to
complete the sentences.
The show finishes at half past b .
£ 13 Match the uses (a-f) to the sentences (1-6).
ÿ I love this music! _e_

1 Our new house has a red door. _

a seven b eight c nine
He isn't wearing glasses
__ 2 Mandy's taking some photos of the new house.

a today b this week c at the moment Leo's coming to see us next week. _
Tim and George meet __ Leo's train arrives at 5.30 in the morning. _
a everyday b on Mondays c twice a week I go swimming on Mondays and Thursdays. _
Fish _ close their eyes. This week I'm going swimming on Tuesday,
a never b hardly ever c rarely Thursday and Friday. _
Claire's playing tennis__ 7 Your hair's getting longer! _
a at the moment b this evening 8 People's hair grows at night. _
c every day this week
Present simple
O 5.1 Circle the correct options. Then a a habit/routine
listen again and check. Then act the
conversations with a partner.
A Hello, Hanford Theatre. Can I help you?
B Yes, I come / 'm coming to the show Up and
O b a timetabled future event
c a permanent situation
d a scientific fact
e an opinion
Up this evening/What time does it finish / is it
Present continuous
finishing?
A At half past eight. e a changing situation
f a future plan/arrangement
Conversation 1
g a temporary situation
A Where are your glasses?
h an action in progress at the time of
B What do you mean?
speaking
A You usually 'wear / are wearing glasses.
B Yes, but I don't always wear glasses. 1 2wear /
'm wearing them for reading, that's all.
A But you 3read / 're reading a magazine now!
B I "only look / 'm only looking at the pictures at
Complete the sentences with the present simple
or present continuous form of the verb in
brackets.
O
the moment. ÿ I visit (visit) the dentist twice a year.
Conversation 2 1 She (like) cold weather.
A What 5do you do / are you doing this afternoon, 2 What time ithp hank/onpnP

Tim? 3 We usually have hot meals but this week we

B 1 6meet / 'm meeting my friend George. We (have) sandwiches.
4 Giraffps fclppn) for thrpp or
7play / 're playing chess every Monday.
A Really? 1 8still don't understand / 'm still not four hours a day.
understanding the rules of chess! 5 What (you/do) this afternoon?
6 It (hardly ever/rain) here.
Conversation 3 7 My sister (nof/havp not) hlark
A Here's an interesting fact for you. A fish never hair.
9closes / 's closing its eyes. 8 Molly (get) hungry. I'll make her
/
B Really? a snack.
A No. It 10has / 's having a clear covering over its
eyes. It "doesn't have / isn't having eyelids like
other animals.
B Amazing!
Conversation 4
A Have you got any plans for this evening, Claire?
B Yes, 1 12play / 'm playing tennis with a friend.
A How often 13do you play / are you playing?
B Once or twice a week.

Unit 5 31
;Í5 Work in groups. How many ways can you finish these sentences?

I'm wearing these boots because ... I'm not going out this evening because ...

I don't want a pizza because ... Fruit is good for you because it ...

He speaks Spanish because ... I want to buy that T-shirt but ...

I'm, wearily these boots because ... ... It's yrivCi

... I'm, Qoiiÿ for a walte ii*> the couia,try.

State verbs and action verbs

State verbs are a group of verbs which give mental processes
information about mental or emotional states know, remember, understand, forget, realize, suppose, think
or about fixed physical properties. We rarely use Do you realize what day it is today?
them in a continuous form. Ah yes, Iremember now.
Iagree. values, properties and characteristics
'Nightmare' means 'bad dream' contain, own, belong, cost, has/has got, mean, equal,
State verbs include: depend (on), exist, weigh, measure, come from, matter
Five plus five equals ten.
opinions and desires
How much does that ring cost?
love, haté, iiké, want, need, believe, prefer, agree
Toby wants to go now. Action verbs describe events and processes which happen
Idon't need any help. and change. We can use them in a simple or continuous
impressions and sensations form.
seem, appear, feel, see, hear,smell, sound, taste Linda cuts my hair. (= usually)
That doesn't seem right. Linda's cutting my hair. (= now)
Do you hear a bell ringing? Some verbs have a state meaning and an action meaning.

State meaning Action meaning

= property/characteristic = behaviour
be
She's funny. She's being funny.
= possession = process/experience
have
He has a phone. He's having a bath.

think
= belief/opinion - mental process
1think she's here. What are you thinking about?
= impression = public performance
appear
It appears to be correct. Jess is appearing on TV tonight.
= sensation = physical process
taste /smell / look
That smells good. She's smelling the flowers.
= vision and understanding = meeting
see
1see land. Isee! I'm seeing the doctor tomorrow.

say - written text = spoken text

What does that sign say? What's that man saying?

32 The present
6 O 5.2 Listen and tick ÿ the correct answer.
a
b
Portugal
India
a rice
b coffee
O *8 State (S) or action (A)?
ÿ They work hard.
1 You seem very happy today!
O
2 They have lunch together every day.
c Argentina 0 c tea
3 I need more time.
a a lemon a the past 4 This belongs to my brother.
b a potato b the present 5 Andy measures people's feet.
c a book c the future 6 Ted collects stamps.
a flowers a music 7 Molly owns that book.
b rocks b love 8 This suitcase weighs 18kg.
9 I don't believe you.
c animals c money
10 They weigh all the bags at the airport.
Complete the answer in the conversations with
the correct form of the state verbs in the box.
matter remember
understand
know agree hate
depend on look believe
Circle the correct option.
Do you realize / Are you realizing what time
it is?
O
1 Why does he taste / is he tasting the soup?

__
ÿ 'Does he like basketball?' Is it OK?
_
'No, he hates it!' 2 I think / 'm thinking about learning the guitar.

__
1 'Do you like ice-cream?' 3 Look, that notice says / 's saying 'Please be quiet.'
_ 4 They 're / 're being very noisy! We don't usually

__
'It the flavour.'
2 'Why isn't he saying anything?' hear them.
'He _ you.' 5 He has / 's having lunch at the moment.
3 'What's the capital city of New Zealand?' 6 I'm really sorry, but I don't understand /
'I ' 'm not understanding.
4 'We should do something about it.' 7 I think we should give him some money.
'I Let's tell a teacher.' Do you agree / Are you agreeing?

5 'I'm really sorry. Your book got wet in the rain.' 8 Á square has /'shaving four sides.
'It '
*10 O 5.3
O
6 'What do you think of my new dress? Complete the conversation with the
correct form of the verb in brackets.Then listen
'You _ very nice.'
7 'I told you last week!' and check.
'Really? I_ .' A What ÿ are you cáoím (you/do)?
8 'I didn't tell Rosy! Really I didn't!' B '1 1_ (watch) that man over there.
'It's OK. I _ you!'
_
A Oh yes! What 2 (he/do)?
B 1 _ (not/know).
3

A 4_ (he/dig)?
B Yes, and now he 5_ (jump) up
and down!
A Shall we go and talk to him?
B That6_ (depend).7 _
(he/look) happy?
_
A Yes, 1 8 (think) so.
B Wait a minute ... He9. _ (come)
this way ...He10_ (want) to talk
to us ... He _ 11 (hold) a box in
his hand ...
A I hope it _12 (contain) treasure!

Unit 5 33
11 m | Work in pairs. Choose one person in the scene below but don't tell other pairs who it is.
Choose seven or more of these questions and make notes. Use your imagination!
What's his/her name? _
Where does he/she live? _
What does he/she do every day? _
Where is he/she going now? _
How is he/she feeling? _
What is he/she thinking about? _
What does he/she smell, see and hear in the street? _
What's happening in his/her life at the moment? _
What does he/she want? _
What does he/she need? _
What does he/she look like?_
What's he/she wearing? _

*12 Write about your chosen person from

exercise 11.
Self-evaluation Rate your progress.
u u u
Her "E-etty. .she wortes iv>* a office all day

*13

it this
is she's
wearivug a blue scarf-

No, it Lsyv/t her. That wovu-aiA, Loofes ha-ppy,

but Betty is feeUfvg sad. "TYy agaiia,!

34 The present