Page 7 - Journeys B1+ (Grammar Book)

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Present simple tense vs present continuous

We use the present simple for habits or repeated
actions.
Tilda always wears colourful clothes. We use the present continuous for things
I sometimes play football with my friends.
happening at or around the time of speaking.
We use the present simple for facts and general I am reading an interesting book.
truths. Alex is talking on the phone at the moment.
She works as a nurse in the city.
Water freezes at zero degrees Celsius. We sometimes use the present continuous for
future plans (on the condition that it is used
We can use the present simple with stative verbs. with a future time expression).
It smells bad. I am visiting my mother tonight.
She wants to eat some ice cream.
She is flying to London.

Stative verbs
Stative verbs are verbs that express a state, not an action. They usually relate to thoughts, emotions,
relationships, senses and states of being. We usually do not use state verbs with continuous verb
forms:
I see the birds on the tree.
She has a classic motorbike.
We use some verbs like have and see in continuous tenses, but they have different meanings.
I am seeing my dentist today. (seeing = visiting)
We are having dinner in the garden. (having = eating)

Common state verbs

appear cost have need see
believe doubt know owe seem
belong exist like own suppose
consider fit love prefer understand

consist hate matter remember want
contain hear mean resemble wish

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