Unit 1: Present Simple & Present Continuous

BBC Learning English Lower Intermediate Session 2

Present Simple

Verb tense which we use for habits, routines, facts, and things that are always true. Example: I wake up at 6 a.m.

Present Continuous

Verb tense which we use for actions happening right now, temporary actions, and things happening around this moment. Example: I am studying English right now.

Present Simple Form

I / You / We / They + base verb.
Example: I work.
He / She / It + base verb + s / es.
Example: She works.

Present Continuous Form

am / is / are + verb + -ing
Ex: I am working. She is working. They are working.

I live in Toronto

(Live) To express a permanent situation.

I am living in Toronto right now

(Live) To express a temporary situation. Maybe you will move later.

Present Simple Signal Words

Always, Usually, Often, Sometimes, Never, Every day, Every week, on Mondays. Words that shows habit or routine.

Present Continuous Signal Words

Now, Right now, At the moment, Currently, This week, This month, Today (when used for temporary actions). These show something happening around now.

Stative Verbs

Are verbs that express a state of being, thought, or feeling rather than a physical action. They almost never use Present Continuous form. Ex: know, like, love, want, need, understand, believe, and have (meaning possession) .

Present Continuous for the future

We also use this tense to talk about planned future arrangements. Ex: I am meeting my friend tomorrow.

2 Basic Type of Questions

1. Yes or No

2. Wh - Questions

Yes or No Questioin

Question we used when we want a yes or no answer. Two formats are:
→ to be v + subj ?
→ aux v + subj + main v ?

WH - Question

Question we used when we want more information than a yes or no. It usually start with Who, What, Where, Why or How.
Two formats are:

• WH + V + Obj ? (This format ask for a subj)

• WH + Aux + Sub + V ? (This format ask for an obj)

Tip

small amount of money that you give to a person who gives you a service

Budget

the amount of money you can spend on something.

wages

money you earn from working

Income

money people receive, usually from working

banned

officially not allowed

Dining

eating a meal.

Embarrasment

Feeling shy.

Offence

Feeling upset, hurt or annoyed.

Gap year

a year that you spend travelling, often with friends, usually after finishing school and before starting university.

Adventure

an unusual, difficult and sometimes dangerous journey.

Globetrotting

travelling to lots of different countries

Backpaking

travelling to and visiting lots of different countries, carrying everything that you need for your journey in a bag that you carry on your back.

Circumnavigate

To sail all the way around something, such as an island, or the world.

stands for

Means; represents

when it comes to

this phrase introduces a topic you are going to talk about.

dyes

special liquids that change the colour of cloth or hair.

wealth

a large amount of money and valuable things that a person or organization owns.

scarlet

a bright red colour

purity

the state of being completely good.

coronation

the ceremony when someone officially becomes king or queen.vi

vibrant

exciting, energetic and very bright.

Industry

all the companies and parts of one type of business, for example: the fashion ____, the health _____, tourism …

manufacturing

making things in large numbers, especially in a factory.

creative

making or using new ideas

global

relating to the whole world

shipping

moving things from one place to another, often in order to sell them.

complex

involving a lot of different parts and processes.

marketing

the things companies do, for example advertising, to persuade people to buy things.

brand

well-known company or group of products, for example, Gucci, Coca-Cola, the BBC

Seasick

feeling ill, vomiting or feeling you are going to vomit or be sick because of the movement of the ship or boat you are travelling in.

stern

the back end of a ship or boat.

gallery

the kitchen in a ship, boat or plane.

berths

beds in a ship, boat or train

plain sailijng

an expression that means a job or task is going well, easily, without problems.

bow

front end of the boat

rudder

a flat piece of wood or metal at the back of a boat that controls the direction of travel (by moving from side to side)

deck

outside part of the boat that people can walk on.

boom

a pole that supports the bottom of the sail and can move from side to side.

mast

a tall pole that supports the sail on a boat.

Present Perfect

Past action connected to NOW. Form: subj + have/has + past participle. Use when: the time is not mentioned, the action has a result now, and the action happened at some pt in your life until now.

Past Simple

Is a finished action in the past. Form: subject + verb (regular) or irregular form. Use when: the time is mentioned, the action is completely finished, and it belongs to a past period.

Stubborn

not changing your attitude or opinion, even if there is a good reason to.

Tolerant

accepting opinions of others, or able to put up with difficult conditions or treatment.

Hunt

chase and kill another animal for food.

Shrew

a small, mouse-like animal with a long nose and tiny eyes.

Doesn’t go much further

(phrase) doesn’t go beyond this distance.

What IS (Name) like?

Using like to ask for a description of the subject.

What DOES (Name) like?

Using like to ask about what the subject enjoys or preference.