PRESENT CONTINUOUS VS PRESENT SIMPLE

CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION

           

Tense is very important in English learning, especially in structure or grammar and too important in speaking and writing. But in grammar, tenses are so needed. Basically the tense is used in our daily activity is simple present tense and present continuous tense. These tense always use in conversation to other and tell about our activity. But to distinguish these tense is not easy because these tense have different thin so we must know when we use these tense. The simple present tense is often confused with the present continuous tense.

Present simple is used in daily activity and present continuous is used when we do something.  And we must know the differences between simple present and present continuous. Next page will explain when to use each one and the differences between present simple and present continuous.

 

CHAPTER I
DISCUSSION

1. The Simple Present Tense

The formula of Simple Present Tense

 

Subject + Verb1 s/es + Object

The simple present tense is used for two main types of action:

Habits	Actions which happen regularly (for example, every day or every week)
States	Things which do not often change (for example, opinions and conditions)

Some examples will help to make this clearer:

Type of action	Examples	Explanations
Habit	Young-Mi goes to class every day.	“Every day” is a habit.
	It rains a lot in Vancouver.	This means that it rains often.
	Santos always talks about his family.	“Always” means this is a habit.
	Jerry spends Christmas with his parents.	This implies that he spends Christmas with his parents every year.
State	Bianca lives in Florida.	This is a state, because it doesn't change.
	Jean-Paul has red hair.	Someone's hair color doesn't usually change.
	Martin likes chocolate.	When we like something, usually we will always like it.
	Anna believes in God.	Beliefs and opinions are states. They don't often change.

2. The Present Continuous Tense

The formula of Simple Present Tense

            Subject +  to be (is/am/are)  + (Verb1+ing) + Object
The present continuous tense is used for two main types of action:

A temporary action happening now	Something which is going on right now (but it will stop in the future)
A definite plan for the future	Something we intend to do, usually in the near future

Here are some examples:

Type of action	Examples	Explanations
Temporary action happening right now	John is winning the game.	Right now, John is winning, but the game isn't finished yet.
	It's raining outside.	It's raining right now (but it may stop soon).
	Soraya is working in the library.	She's working there right now.
	Sihol is spending Christmas with his family.	He's spending Christmas with his family right now, this year. (Maybe next year he won't.)
Definite plan for the future	I'm playing soccer tomorrow.	This plan is already arranged and definite.
	Sarah's leaving for San Francisco on Friday.	She has probably already bought her ticket.
	The Olympics are taking place here next year.	This is already certain.
	I'm having a party next week.	All the plans have been made.

 

3. The another Different Table of Present Simple and Preset Continuous

	Simple present tense	Present continuous tense
Usages	1. To talk habitual action 2. To talk regular happening 3. To talk theory. 4. To talk the fact	1. to talk about activities happening now
Modifier of time	Now, everyday, every week, every month, every year, once a week, once in two weeks, twice a week, daily, weekly, monthly,  yearly, etc.	Now, at the moment
Adverbs of frequency	Always, usually, often, sometimes, seldom, etc.	-
Examples	1. He jogs every day. 2. The full moon comes once in 30 days. 3. We all need oxygen to live. 4. She is a nice person. 5. She looks beautiful in her newly bought dress.	1. He is jogging now. 2. The full moon is slowly rising in the east at the moment. 3. He is taking a deep breath. 4. She is being nice to me. 5. She is looking for her newly bought dress.

Note:

Stative verb is never use in present continuous tense and other progressive tenses. Why? Because stative verbs are passive and only talk stating: what in the brain is, what we fell, and what we catch by senses. This verb doesn’t do action. Example: hear (passive : mendengar) vs listen (active: mendengarkan).

Þ    I sometimes hear bad gossips about her. (passive)

Þ    I sometimes listen to this song. (active)

Þ    I am listening to the song now. INCORRECT if: I am hearing to the song now.

CHAPTER III
CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION

 

Conclusion

1. Use the simple present tense if we talk about habitual action, regular happening, theories, and fact. But, use present continuous if want to talk about activities happening now.
2. Don’t use present continuous tense if the verb is stative verb.
3. Use simple present tense if we talk about medical action.

Suggestion

We must study to understand to know the differences between simple present and present continuous. And then we know the manner of using it. So, we can explain it with our friends who don’t know or understanding it.

REFERENCE

http://swarabhaskara.com/tenses/simple-present-tense/

http://swarabhaskara.com/tenses/present-continuous-tense/

QUESTION

Changes this sentence into English!

1. Saya sedang mendiskusikan bahasa Inggris dengan teman-teman saya sekarang.
2. Petani-petani di Jati Bali bercocok tanam padi dua kali setahun.
3. Saya selalu pergi ke sekolah dengan berjalan kaki.
4. Kita akan belajar bahasa Inggris besok.
5. Dia harus pergi ke dokter sekarang.