Present SIMPLE vs CONTINUOUS - is it only about habits and what is happening NOW? SPOILER: it's not!

Описание: Этот файл - это перезагрузка лекции с моего другого канала, так как я решила не делиться на два канала, а вести параллельно лекции и разборы лексики и грамматики польского и английского языков, так как я преподаю оба из них каждый день.

We are often being told in schools that the difference between Present Simple and Present Continuous tenses lies in one context: is it a repetitive action or is it happening right now? Yet is it as simple as that?
What are state verbs? Is it true that we can never use them in continuous form? Can't we really use the word "always" with Present Continuous? And why do the Royals keep switching between "I speak" and "I am speaking" when they address to the Nation?
Answers to these and many more questions you will find in my first video where I collect most of the grammar rules on these two tenses in one class!


If you would like to make some homework on this topic, I highly recommend Murphy's books:
1. Raymond Murphy: Essential Grammar in use for elementary learners of English (From this coursebook you can do exercises from unit 8. At the end of the book you can find key to exercises.)
2. Raymond Murphy: Essential Grammar in use for intermediate learners of English (From the second book I highly recommend units 3 and 4. Again, key to exercises is at the end of the book)


As promised, I am also giving you the list of the most interesting state verbs which can be used in continuous form in specific contexts:


Non-continuous verbs
Verbs that cannot be used in continuous forms are usually verbs that cannot see anybody doing. They are:
Abstract verbs: be, want, cost, need, care, believe, contain, exist etc.
Possession verbs: own, belong, possess, etc.
Emotion verbs: like, love, hate, dislike, fear, envy etc.
Modal verbs: can, could, may, must, shall etc.


Verbs with different meanings
There is a small group of verbs that have different meanings. Some meanings behave like non-continuous verbs while other meaning behave like normal verbs.



to have
I have a pound now. (I possess a pound) Non-continuous verb
I am having (experiencing) fun now. Normal verb


to hear
She hears the music (= with her ears). Non-continuous verb
She is hearing voices (in her mind; something others cannot hear). Normal verb


to look
Ted looks (seems) tired. Non-continuous verb
Jane is looking at a picture (= looking with her eyes). Normal verb


to miss
John misses Sarah (He is sad because she is not here). Non-continuous verb
Alison is missing her favourite TV program (= she is not there to see it). Normal verb


to see
I see her (= with my eyes). Non-continuous verb
I am seeing the doctor tomorrow. (I am visiting or consulting with a doctor). Normal verb
I am seeing her. (I am having a relationship with her). Normal verb


to smell
The coffee smells good. (it has a good smell) Non-continuous verb
I am smelling the flowers. (I am sniffing them to see what their smell is like). Normal verb


to taste
The coffee tastes good. (it has a good taste) Non-continuous verb
I am tasting the wine. (I am trying it to see what it tastes like). Normal verb

to think
He thinks the test is easy. (He considers the test to be easy) Non-continuous verb
She is thinking about the question (= the question is going on in her mind). Normal verb


to be

Bob is American. (He is a citizen of America) Non-continuous verb
Bob is being very American (= he is behaving like a stereotypical American). Normal verb
Bob is being very rude. (He is behaving very rudely, but usually he is not rude) Normal verb