1B Present Simple and Continuous

+	I	live	in Greece.
	Ivan	checks	his messages every five minutes.
-	We	don't see	my sister very often.
	Zahra	doesn't like	big cities.
?	When do you	get	home?
	How often does it	rain	here?
	Do	you	work together?

We use the present simple:

We often use frequency adverbs with the present simple: always, usually, often, sometimes, hardly ever, never.

We hardly ever go to the cinema.

For information about the spelling of the -ing form see page 99.

We use the present continuous:

for an activity that is happening now or at the moment of speaking.
I'm talking to Leah. Can I call you back?
for a temporary activity that is happening around now.
We're studying Indian art this month.

We often use these time phrases with the present continuous: right now, now, at the moment, this week/month/year, these days.

Right now we're looking for a new apartment.

I'm not doing very much sport these days.

We don't usually use the present continuous with state verbs.

State verbs describe feelings or states, not actions or activities.

Some state verbs are: cost, like, love, hate, want, understand, know, mean, need.

I don't understand. NOT I'm not understanding.

What does 'hide' mean? NOT What is 'hide' meaning?

I think the film is great. = in my opinion (Use the present simple.)

I'm thinking about lunch. = an action (Use the present continuous.)

I have a new car. = a possession (Use the present simple.)

I'm having a shower. = an action now (Use the present continuous.)