Grammar: Present Tenses

Grammar: Present Tenses

Introduction

Welcome students of ITSD,

 

I would first of all like to ask you all to watch the video down below.

 

Nogmaals de doelen:

  • De studenten hebben aan het einde van deze les de eigen kennis van de present simple en present continuous teruggehaald.
  • De studenten kennen aan het einde van deze les de grammatica regels van de present simple en present continuous.
  • De studenten kunnen aan het einde van deze les de present simple en present continuous juist toepassen.

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Instaptoets: Present Simple/Present Continuous

But first things first, how well do you know grammar?

What do you know of the Present Simple and the Present Continuous?

Do you know when to use them? Do you know which grammar rules apply to which sentence?

So, let's check your current knowledge by testing yourself by making the test down below.

Instaptoets: Present Simple/Present Continuous.

Done with the test? How many mistakes did you make?

  • 10 or more mistakes: Please review the explanation of both the Present Simple & Present Continuous and start practicing assignments 1 t/m 3 and retry again. Still a low score, get the extra practice found in the column under its own header.
  • 5 - 10 mistakes: Please review the explanation again and practice all the assignments, then retry again.
  • 0 - 5 mistakes: Good job! However, please do take the time to review the subject matter again and do the practice assignments in order to be prepared for the final test. Do not do the extra practice, instead do the 'challenge yourself' exercises.

If you happen to be sick during this class I want you to do the above as homework, do the final test and fill in the evaluation. I will be checking next class whether or not you have done it.

Present Simple (I do)

I / we / you / they / these Drive / work / do (Verb)
He / she / it / this Drives / works / does (Verb + s/es)

 

The Present Simple is used for the following;

  • To say that something happens all the time or repeatedly (habits, & routines).
    • Dogs chase cats all the time.
    • The birds leave for the winter.
 
  • To say that something is true in general (facts).
    • Mailmen deliver mail and packages.
 
  • Do/Does to make questions and negative sentences.
    • Do I pet the dog?
    • What does this say?
    • I don’t do my homework.
    • Carrots don’t grow in harsh climates.
Do I / we / you / they / these Work, drive, do, (Verb)
Does he / she / it / this Work, drive, do, (Verb)

 

I / we / you / they / these don't Work, drive, do, (Verb)
He / she / it doesn't Work, drive, do, (Verb)
 
  • To say how often we do things.
    • My dog rarely barks at someone.
    • My cat never takes a bath.
 
  • To mention you do something by saying it.
    • I promise I will eat my vegetables.
    • I suggest you leave right now.
    • What do you think I should do?
    • Other options: I apologise, I advise, I insist, I think, I agree, I refuse, etc.

Tip;

  • The Present Simple often makes use of phrases that refer to a specific time like;
    • Every day, every week, every year, on Mondays, after school, etc.
  • or signal words like;
    • Always, often, usually, sometimes, seldom or never.

Present Continuous (Am / Is / Are + Verb + ing)

I

Am

Driving, working, etc. (Verb+ing)

He / she / it

is

Driving, working, etc. (Verb+ing)

We / you / they

are

Driving, working, etc. (Verb+ing)

 

The Present Continuous is used for the following;

  • To say I am doing something; I'm in the middle of it, started it and I haven't finished it yet.
    • I am working on my homework, mom! Don't disturb me!
    • My brother can't walk the dog. He is watching his favourite tv-show!
    • Beware: The action is not necessarily happening at the time of speaking, so long as it has been started and has not been finished yet.

 

  • You use the present continuous with words that refer to a period around now, like: today, this week, this year, etc.
    • ​You're working hard today.
    • She is giving a presentation this week.
    • I am touring the globe this year.

 

  • You use the present continuous when talking about changes happening around now.
    • Are you improving on your writing skills?
    • She is growing up very fast.
    • I’m starting to like being a teacher.

Tip!;

  • Signal words that can point towards the use of the Present Continuous are;
    • Look! Listen! At the moment & this week.

Signal words

As mentioned in the explanation of the Present Simple and the Present Continuous both can make use of signal words.

Do you think you remember them? If so, let's see if you can find them all.

  • Assignment:
    • Make 2 of the following mini assignments (one for the Present Simple and one for the Present Continuous). They are focused on playing word games with the signal words that relate to either the Present Simple or the Present Continuous.
  • Tools:
    • Use the information regarding the Present Simple & Present Continuous that can be found in this Wikiwijs under the corresponding headers.
  • Outcome:
    • You've practiced finding and remembering the signal words for both the Present Simple & Present Continuous, should now be able to spot them in a given sentence and know which tense to use based on their presence.
  • Time limit:
    • ​5 minutes.
  • Done:
    • Continue to practice by working on the assignments that can be found under the 'assignment' header in the left column.

 

Present Simple.

More Present Simple.

Present Continuous.

Assignments

Extra practice

Present simple:

Fill in the gaps with the corrects verbs (given in the brackets).

(If you want to check the answers you should do these assignments on the site provided below)

Example: The dog eats his chowder.

 

1. My sister _______  (read) a book.
2. Frank _______  (like) dogs.
3. My parents  _________ (do) the shopping.
4. We sometimes _________ (meet) in front of the cinema.
5. Uncle George _________ (go) to the doctor's.
6. Our friends _________  (play) football in the park.
7. She __________  (go) to the park every Friday.
8. He __________  (ride) his bike every day.
9. We ___________ (have) the best ideas.
10. Carol _________ (say) goodbye.

 

Source: https://www.english-4u.de/en/tenses-exercises/present-simple.htm

 

Present Continuous / Present Progressive:

Fill in the gaps with the corrects verbs (given in the brackets).

(If you want to check the answers you should do these assignments on the site below)

Example: He often buys a new notebook. Look, he is buying a notebook again.

 

1. He usually goes to school. Look, he __________  to school!
2. He often drinks a coffee. Look, he ___________ a coffee!
3. I swim every day. Look, I ___________ !
4. She washes her hair every day. Look, she ___________ her hair!
5. The cat always drinks its milk. Look, it ___________ its milk!
6. We sometimes dance in the living room. Look, we _____________ in the living room!
7. They usually run to church. Look, they _____________ to church!
8. You often write emails. Now, you ____________ an email.
9. Mother cooks in the kitchen every day. Right now, mother ___________ in the kitchen.
10. The monkey eats bananas. Look, the monkey __________ a banana!

 

Source: https://www.english-4u.de/en/tenses-exercises/present-progressive.htm

 

Present Simple or Present Continuous?:

Fill in the present simple or the present progressive.

(If you want to check the answers you should do these assignments on the site below)

 

1. Mr Cooper always ___________  a pound of sugar. (buy)
2. The shop assistant _____________  the door now. (close)
3. Kevin and Alan never ___________  away glass bottles. (throw)
4. Look! Freddy ___________  two baskets. (carry)
5. Now Mrs Caveman ___________  out of the window. (look)
6. Mrs Bingham ___________  shopping every Saturday. (go)
7. I ___________ the money at the moment. (count)
8. Mr Root always __________  a box of eggs before buying them. (open)
9. Mum often __________  her change. (forget)
10. Listen! The manager ___________  to a customer. (talk)
11. My friends often __________  to the computer shop. (go)
12. We always ____________ our things in a basket. (put)
13. The shop ____________  at the moment. (close)
14. They ____________  tennis every Sunday. (play)
15. She ____________  a shower now. (take)

 

Source: https://www.english-4u.de/en/tenses-exercises/present-simple-progressive.htm

Challenge yourself

So, you think you know how to use the Present Simple and the Present Continuous? Let's see it!

  • Assignment:
    • I want you to write a small story of a minimum of 5 sentences in the Padlet below, in which you use the present simple and the present continuous to describe your daily life.
  • Tools: Use the grammar explanation sections that can be found within this Wikiwijs.
  • Time limit: Approximately 7 minutes.
  • Outcome: You'll have made a small story describing your daily life on the Padlet which shows you can make proper use of the present simple and present continuous.
  • Done: Check the other stories (you can like them) or move on to the final test / eindtoets.

 

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Final test / Eindtoets

  • Assignment:
    • You've practiced with the Present Simple & the Present Continuous, now it's time to put your practicing to the test by making the final test. It will ask you to fill in the correct forms of given words as well as a few true or false questions. Some questions will ask you to provide the grammar rule corresponding to the sentence.
  • Tools:
    • None, use the knowledge you've gained during the practice exercises.
  • Outcome:
    • Based on your responses you will be graded by me accordingly to the amount of points that you managed to get. Do you score low on this subject? Please take the time to review the information again and use the practice sites that can be found under 'Extra practice'.
  • Time limit:
    • Approximately 15 minutes.
  • Done:
    • Please, fill in the questionaire under the 'evaluation' tab.
    • Have you done the above, then you are done for today! Good job!
    • Now go and enjoy your day.

 

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=uLfxsxgpXUyNWHwyQcYF1H-6-GZtPyVBrXku1o9xgMRUOUo5UzFYTjZVUlVHQjlUVUZZSzFFTUlFTC4u
Just in case the test does not show up, you can click the link above.

Evaluation