Grammar Training Present Simple and Present Progressive

1. Look at the following examples and explain the meaning of the verb forms. See Grammar reference p. … first.

1. What is Tom Franklin writing? – An article on the situation in the Middle East.

2. What does Tom Franklin write? – Articles for newspapers and magazines.

3. Edwin Kelly runs the exports department.

4. Edwin Kelly is running the exports department now that Mr Atkins is away.

5. Mary’s car has broken down, so she is taking mine now when she needs to go somewhere.

6. Mary takes my car when she needs to go somewhere.

7. I always make new friends when I go on holiday.

8. I’m always running into someone I know when I’m on holiday.

9. My supervisor is always asking me to do something urgent when it’s time for me to leave.

10. We write to advise you of the time of the press-conference.

11. We are writing to let you know that the press-conference will take place on May 2.

12. What time does the plane arrive in New York?

13. Our plane was delayed, so what time are we arriving in New York?

14. We enjoy Kevin’s company. He is very funny.

15. Don’t pay too much attention to Kevin. He is just being funny.

16. I think we should build a country house.

17. I’m thinking of building a country house.

2. Supply the correct form of the verbs given in brackets.

1. Listening to people talking, particularly if they don’t know you ____________ (to do) so, is not very polite.

2. Mr Goldfield is one of those politicians I dislike. He always _________________ (to go) around smiling into cameras and making irresponsible promises.

3. Tom and Roy share an apartment. They sometimes _____________ (to argue) because Roy always _________________ (to make) a mess in the living-room.

4. My car has broken down. I _______________ (to walk) to work these days.

5. Maggie is going to ruin her health! Whenever I see her she _________ (to smoke).

6. I see you are trying to fix the computer. But I ____________ (to hope) you know what you _______________ (to do)!

7. It’s time you bought an air-conditioner. It ________________ (to get) hotter every year.

8. I see from what you say that your weekdays are busy. But what you _________________ (to do) at weekends?

9. That must be the end of the first part of the performance. What ________________ (to happen) now?

10. I’ve got loads of things to do, but I _________________ (to survive).

11. I _______________ (to sell) this coat. Do you want to buy it? You can get it for next to nothing!

12. Young people _____________ (to drink) more and more beer these days.

13. Please, let me finish! You constantly ______________________ (to interrupt)!

14. Hey! What you _____________(to think) you ____________ (to do)?

15. Ralph is away on holiday, so Jessica _________________ (to handle) the work on her own.

16. To be quite frank with you, I ________________(to doubt) whether Kevin will be able to cope with the problem.

17. Don’t listen to Graham. He just ________________ (to be) clever.

18. Don’t believe what Linda _____________ (to say). She just ________ (to be) polite.

19. If I were you I wouldn’t share an apartment with Jane. She ________ (to be) so untidy!

20. Why should I pay Clara’s bills? – Because she is your wife. I ___________ (to think) you __________ (to be) rather mean about this.