SIMPLE PRESENT

The simple present says that something was true in the past, is true in the present, and will be true in the future. It expresses general statements of fact and timeless truths.

The simple present is used to express habitual or everyday activities.

EXAMPLES:

a)      Water consists of hydrogen and oxygen.

b)      The average person breathes 21,600 times a day.

c)      The world is round.

d)     I study for two hours every night.

e)      I get up at seven every morning.

f)       He always eats a sandwich for lunch.

PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

The present progressive expresses an activity that is in progress at the moment of speaking. It is a temporary activity that began in the past, is continuing at the present, and will probably end at some point in the future.

Often the activity is of general nature: something generally in progress this week, this month, this year.

Note: The sentence is called present as future. E.g. (j, l).

a)      John is sleeping right now.

b)      I need an umbrella because it is raining.

c)      The students are sitting at their desks right now.

d)     I am taking five courses this semester.

e)      John is trying to improve his work habits.

f)       Susan is writing another book this year.