The Two Present Forms

Welcome to your The Two Present Forms lesson! In this topic we talk about:
• The simple form
• The continuous form
• Questions
Take the quizzes when you’re ready! If you’re having problems, use the comment box to contact our English Teachers.

The simple form

The first form is the Present Simple.

“I like cake.”

In the 3rd person singular, in an affirmative sentence, we add an “s” to the infinitive verbs (infinitive = without “to”):

“He likes cake.”

We use the auxiliary “do” to make negative sentences and to ask questions :

“I don’t like cake.”

“Do you like cake?”
“Yes, I do.”

This form is used to talk about general truths, habits, and repeating actions. It is often accompanied by frequency adverbs. (always, never, sometimes, often …)

The continuous form

The second form is the Present (verb+ing). It is formed with the conjugated auxiliary “be”, followed by the infinitive verb+ing.

“He is eating cake.”

“Are you eating cake?”
“No, I‘m not.”

This form is used to talk about an action that is happening now, and is often accompanied by the word “now”. This form can also be used to talk about a close future action.

Questions

The construction of affirmative sentences using The Present Simple and The Present (verb+ing) are shown in the following table:

All of the question forms have to use a conjugated auxiliary: “be” with The Present (verb+ing), and “do” with The Present Simple.

Exceptions: the verb “to be” and the the question “who” when “who” is the subject of the sentence. Example:

“Are you a dancer?”

“Who sits here?”