Present
simple
Present
continuous
We use the present simple tense when we
want to talk about fixed habits or routines –
things that don’t change.
Frequency Adverbs we use with the
Present Simple
With the present simple we use these
frequency adverbs:
(Notice that the adverb comes before the
main verb in the sentence.)
Always: ‘I always read before I go to bed.’
Often: ‘Her sister often comes shopping with
us.’
Frequently:‘Michael frequently visits his
family.’
Sometimes:‘You sometimes go to the gym,
don’t you?’
Occasionally:‘It occasionally rains in
summer.’
Seldom:‘They seldom ask for help.’
Rarely: ‘He rarely goes out without his
backpack.’
Hardly ever:‘I hardly ever eat pizza.’
Never: ‘Japanese people never wear shoes
inside.’
We use the present continuous to talk about
actions which are happening at the present
moment, but will soon finish.
With the present continuous we use these time
expressions:
(Notice that the time expression can come at
the start or at the end of the sentence.)
At the moment: ‘I’m watching TV, at the
moment.’
These days: ‘Paul’s living in Cardiff, these
days.’
Now: ‘What are you doing, now?’
Nowadays: ‘I think you are smoking too much,
nowadays.’
