Simple and Continuous verb tenses: straight forward explanation which will enable you to master it quickly.

1. Simple and continuous
(progressive) tenses
QUICK & EASY!
M. van Eijk/MA

2. SimpleSimple andand continuouscontinuous tenses:tenses:
>>with or without –ing. (that’s the question!)>>with or without –ing. (that’s the question!)
In English you can form all tenses with orIn English you can form all tenses with or
without the –ing-form:without the –ing-form:
I sleep…I sleep…
I slept…I slept…
I had slept…I had slept…
I will sleep…I will sleep…
I am sleeping…I am sleeping…
I was sleeping…I was sleeping…
I had been sleeping…I had been sleeping…
I will be sleeping…I will be sleeping…

4. ContinuousContinuous
to BE + ww+-INGto BE + ww+-ING
I am walking;I am walking;
I was walking;I was walking;
I will be walking; (etc.)I will be walking; (etc.)
We use the PresentWe use the Present
Continuous Tense to talkContinuous Tense to talk
about activities happeningabout activities happening
now.now.
When I arrived, they wereWhen I arrived, they were
already playing poker.already playing poker.
Simple formSimple form
No continuous >No continuous >
(NO BE + ww+-ING)(NO BE + ww+-ING)
I walk;I walk;
I walked;I walked;
I will walk; (etc.)I will walk; (etc.)
HabitsHabits..
He always does hisHe always does his
work quickly.work quickly.
FactsFacts..
Ireland lies west ofIreland lies west of
Great BritainGreat Britain
NoteNote

5. ContinuousContinuous
to BE + ww+-INGto BE + ww+-ING
I am working;I am working;
I was working;I was working;
I will be working;I will be working; etc.etc.
The Present ContinuousThe Present Continuous
Tense is also used to talkTense is also used to talk
about activities happeningabout activities happening
in the near future, especiallyin the near future, especially
for planned future events.for planned future events.
Examples:
I am seeing my dentist on Wednesday. I am seeing my dentist on Wednesday.
Polly is coming for dinner tomorrow. Polly is coming for dinner tomorrow.
Are you doing anything tonight? Are you doing anything tonight?
We aren't going on holiday next weekWe aren't going on holiday next week..
No continuousNo continuous
(NO BE + ww+-ING)(NO BE + ww+-ING)
I work;I work;
I worked;I worked;
I will work; etc.I will work; etc.
Generally true.Generally true.
The sun rises in the east.The sun rises in the east.
Permanent situation.Permanent situation.
She works in a bank.She works in a bank.
Future after ‘when’,’until’Future after ‘when’,’until’
I won’t go out until itI won’t go out until it
stops raining.stops raining.
NoteNote

6. ContinuousContinuous
to BE + ww+-INGto BE + ww+-ING
I am going;I am going;
I was going;I was going;
I will be going; etc.I will be going; etc.
The Present ContinuousThe Present Continuous
Tense is also used withTense is also used with
Repetition and Irritation withRepetition and Irritation with
"Always""Always"
Examples:
•Luc is always coming to work late.
•She is constantly talking. I wish she
would shut up.
•I don't like Salma and Jim because
they are always shouting.
No continuousNo continuous
(NO BE + ww+-ING)(NO BE + ww+-ING)
I go;I go;
I went;I went;
I will go; etc.I will go; etc.
Future timetables.Future timetables.
Our train leaves at 10Our train leaves at 10
AM.AM.
NoteNote

7. No continuous!!!!No continuous!!!!
You cannot use be+ -ing:You cannot use be+ -ing:
•Unexpected (short duration) happeningsUnexpected (short duration) happenings
He fell/was falling down the stairs.He fell/was falling down the stairs.
We were working, when a tractor ran/was runningWe were working, when a tractor ran/was running
into our living-room.into our living-room.
•The verbs.: know, see, smell, feel, want, wish,The verbs.: know, see, smell, feel, want, wish,
mean, believe, love, like, think(=vinden)mean, believe, love, like, think(=vinden)
I know / am knowing her.I know / am knowing her.
She thinks / is thinking she's cool.She thinks / is thinking she's cool.
I love / am loving it.I love / am loving it.
Watch out:Watch out:
I think/am thinking about a math-problem.I think/am thinking about a math-problem.
Another reason not to visit MD too
often !
NoteNote

8. Simple present tense

9. Remember !

10. Exercise:Exercise: I am working/I am working/IworkIwork
1.1.Where's Tom? -He [do] his homework.Where's Tom? -He [do] his homework.
He [do] so every afternoon at the sameHe [do] so every afternoon at the same
time.'time.'
2.2.Where's Mrs Stuart?' - 'SheWhere's Mrs Stuart?' - 'She
[prepare] dinner.'[prepare] dinner.'
3.3.Mother always [have] a cup of tea atMother always [have] a cup of tea at
three o'clock.three o'clock.
4.4.Have you any idea who [make] thatHave you any idea who [make] that
terrible noise?terrible noise?
5.5.My sister [ring] me up every day.My sister [ring] me up every day.

11. Exercise:Exercise: I was workingI was working/ I worked/ I worked
6.6.I (read) a book when suddenly the lightI (read) a book when suddenly the light
(go) out(go) out
7.7.She [fall] while she [run] after a bus.She [fall] while she [run] after a bus.
8.8.When he [go] out the sun [shine].When he [go] out the sun [shine].
9.9.Your father [lay] the table for dinnerYour father [lay] the table for dinner
while you [wash] your hands.while you [wash] your hands.
10.10.Large crowds [wait] at the station whenLarge crowds [wait] at the station when
the Prince [arrive].the Prince [arrive].
11.11.While you [play] the piano I [write] anWhile you [play] the piano I [write] an
E-mail.E-mail.
12.12.The ship [sink], so all the passengersThe ship [sink], so all the passengers
[jump] into the life-boats.[jump] into the life-boats.

12. Exercise:Exercise: I was workingI was working/I worked/I worked
6.6.We [walk] to the station when it [begin]We [walk] to the station when it [begin]
to rain.to rain.
7.7.We [walk] under a bridge when a carWe [walk] under a bridge when a car
[crashed].[crashed].
Choose the correct one:Choose the correct one:
14.14.How long (did you wait/have you beenHow long (did you wait/have you been
waiting/were you waiting) here?waiting/were you waiting) here?
15.15.This time next week I will be skiing/willThis time next week I will be skiing/will
ski in Austria.ski in Austria.

13. I hope it is now all clear to you. And when that’s not the
case? Well, you know what to do!
M. van Eijk/ MA