Page 7 - Grasp English B1 (Grammar Book)

Being Sociable 1

Present simple/present continuous Stative verbs

We use the present simple: Stative verbs are verbs that express a state, not an
• to talk about habits – things we do again and action. They usually relate to thoughts, emotions,
relationships, senses and states of being. We usually
again.
do not use stative verbs with continuous verb forms:
I do my homework when I come home.
e.g.
My brother plays tennis every Tuesday.
I see the birds on the tree.
• to talk about daily routines – things we do She has two children.
regularly.
We use some verbs like have and see in continuous
My father starts work at 8:30 in the morning. tenses but they have different meanings.
Helen goes to school by bus. e.g.
• to talk about facts which are true or the laws of I am seeing my dentist today
nature. (seeing = visiting)
Bears sleep during the winter months. We are having dinner in the garden.
Water boils at 100 °C. (having = eating)

We use the present continuous:
• to talk about actions which are happening now. common stative verbs
My mother is cooking appear cost have* need see*
in the kitchen now.
believe doubt know owe seem
• to talk about actions
belong exist like own suppose
which are happening
consider fit love prefer understand
around the time of speaking.
Jessica is learning Japanese. consist hate matter remember want
I am growing beautiful flowers. contain hear mean resemble wish

A. Complete the sentences with the present simple or present continuous.
Example:
Look at the cat! It is digging in the garden. (dig)
They don’t have breakfast every morning. (not - have)

1. Santos from Portugal, but he in London now. Every summer,
he to Lisbon and his family. (come/live/go/visit)

2. Why they Italian? Because they to visit
Rome. (learn/want)
3. I that girl. What language she ?
(not – understand/speak)
4. We from different countries, so we to each other in English.
(come/talk)
5. After class, Olga a magazine, but she in a cafe with her
friends at the moment. (usually – read/sit)
6. Eugene very well in his German lessons. He the language is
very difficult. (not – do/say)

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