PRESENT TENSE - Simple Present vs Present Continuous

This is a topic students generally have troubles with, so maybe this can help you:

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Present Continuous

Here are some uses for the Present Continuous:

USE 1 - Now

Use the Present Continuous to express the idea that something is or is not happening now, at this very moment.

Examples:

• You are not swimming now.
• Are you sleeping at the moment?
• They are reading their books.
• What are you doing?

USE 2 - Longer Actions in Progress

We also use the Present Continuous to say that we are in the process of doing a longer action which is in progress.

Examples:

• I am studying to become a doctor.
• I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.
• Are you working on any special projects at work?

USE 3 - Near Future

Sometimes, speakers use the Present Continuous to indicate that something will or will not happen in the near future.

Examples:

• I am meeting some friends after work.
• Is he visiting his parents next weekend?
• Isn't he coming with us tonight?

USE 4 - Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

The Present Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the idea that something irritating often happens.

Examples:

• She is always coming to class late.
• He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up.
• I don't like them because they are always complaining.

Source:  http://www.englishpage.com/

Countable and Uncountble Nouns

In English grammar, countable nouns are individual people, animals, places, things, or ideas which can be counted. Uncountable nouns are not individual objects, so they cannot be counted. Here, we’ll take a look at countable and uncountable nouns and provide both countable noun examples and uncountable noun examples. Although the concept may seem challenging, you’ll soon discover that these two different noun types are very easy to use.

Countable Nouns

Anything that can be counted, whether singular – a dog, a house, a friend, etc. or plural – a few books, lots of oranges, etc. is a countable noun. The following countable noun examples will help you to see the difference between countable and uncountable nouns. Notice that singular verbs are used with singular countable nouns, while plural verbs are used with plural countable nouns.

Examples:

• There are at least twenty Italian restaurants in Little Italy.
• Megan took a lot of photographs when she went to the Grand Canyon.
• Your book is on the kitchen table.
• How many candles are on that birthday cake?
• You have several paintings to study in art appreciation class.
• There’s a big brown dog running around the neighborhood.

Uncountable Nouns

Anything that cannot be counted is an uncountable noun. Even though uncountable nouns are not individual objects, they are always singular and one must always use singular verbs in conjunction with uncountable nouns. The following uncountable noun examples will help you to gain even more understanding of how countable and uncountable nouns differ from one another. Notice that singular verbs are always used with uncountable nouns.

Examples:

• There is no more water in the pond.
• Please help yourself to some cheese.
• I need to find information about Pulitzer Prize winners.
• You seem to have a high level of intelligence.
• Please take good care of your equipment.
• Let’s get rid of the garbage.

Here is a quick exercise if you wish to practice countable and uncountable nouns.

Present Simple

Here are some uses for the present simple:

USE 1 Repeated Actions

We use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is repeated or usual. The action can be a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens. It can also be something a person often forgets or usually does not do.

Examples: 

• I play tennis. 
• She does not play tennis. 
• Does he play tennis? 
• The train leaves every morning at 8 AM. 
• The train does not leave at 9 AM. 
• When does the train usually leave? 
• She always forgets her purse. 
• He never forgets his wallet. 
• Every twelve months, the Earth circles the Sun. 
• Does the Sun circle the Earth? 

 

The timeline above exresses how the action is being performed.

USE 2 Facts or Generalizations

The Simple Present can also indicate the speaker believes that a fact was true before, is true now, and will be true in the future. It is not important if the speaker is correct about the fact. It is also used to make generalizations about people or things.

Examples:

• Cats like milk.
• Birds do not like milk.
• Do pigs like milk?
• California is in America.
• California is not in the United Kingdom.
• Windows are made of glass.
• Windows are not made of wood.

USE 3 Scheduled Events in the Near Future

Speakers occasionally use Simple Present to talk about scheduled events in the near future. This is most commonly done when talking about public transportation, but it can be used with other scheduled events as well.

Examples:

• The train leaves tonight at 6 PM.
• The bus does not arrive at 11 AM, it arrives at 11 PM.
• When do we board the plane?
• The party starts at 8 o'clock.
• When does class begin tomorrow?

For more information visit http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplepresent.html

Educatina made a good video with excercises if you wish to practice a bit.

Vocabulary: Criminals and Evildoers

Here we have some vocabulary about different kinds of criminals and evildoers. Also we will make a difference between the criminal and the crime itself so as to avoid possible mistakes.

Arsonist: sets fire to other people's property illegally. Crime: arson.

Assasin: kills people for political reasons or in return for payment. Crime: assasination.

Blackmailer: extorts money from someone by threatening to express embarrasing information about them. Crime: blackmail.

Burglar: breaks into buildings to steal people's property. Crime: burglary.

Kidnapper: takes people away by force and demands money to free them. Crime: kidnapping.

Mugger: attacks and robs people in a public place. Crime: mugging.

Murderer: deliberately kills another person. Crime: murder.

Pickpocketer: steals from other people's pockets. Crime: pickpocket.

Robber: steals money using force or the threat of force. Crime: robbery.

Shoplifter: steals goods from shops while pretending to be a customer. Crime: shoplifting

Thief: steals property from other people (without using violence). Crime: theft.

Vandal: deliberately destroys or damages public property. Crime: vandalism.


For more information, take a look at this Mind Map made in RealTimeBoard.

If you have any doubts, feel free to ask! 

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In this blog we'll be discussing common doubts students generally have to help you with your exams. See you soon!