Explanation

Present simple

When do we use the present simple?

We use the present simple when we are talking about facts, habits, or routines. For example:

When you have she/he/it in the sentence, you get verb (werkwoord) + s. (work becomes works)

when it is I/you/they, it is just the verb. (just work)

 

How do we use the present simple?

Only with she/he/it, the verb (werkwoord) changes. You have to add an S.

Tabel 1: Present simple

 

Werkwoord:

Werkwoord:

I

Work

Sleep

She/he/it

Works

Sleeps

They/we

Work

Sleep

You

Work

Sleep

Opmerking. Aangepast overgenomen uit simple present versus present continuous (uitleg) door B. Trimbos, 2020. Geraadpleegd op 25 oktober 2020, van http://www.bastrimbos.com/grammar/simple_present_versus_present_continuous.htm

 

Present continuous

When do we use the present continuous?

We use the present continuous when something is happening now. You can look for words like:

For example:

I am looking at my laptop right now.

She is working at the moment.

 

How do we use the present continuous?

With the present continuous we use to be + werkwoord + ing.

Tabel 2: Present continuous

 

To be

Werkwoord + ing:

I

am

working

She/he/it

is

working

They/we

are

working

You

are

working

Opmerking. Aangepast overgenomen uit simple present versus present continuous (uitleg) door B. Trimbos, 2020. Geraadpleegd op 25 oktober 2020, van http://www.bastrimbos.com/grammar/simple_present_versus_present_continuous.htm

 

(Swan, M., 2017, pp. 30-34).