Unit 3 The difference between the Present Simple and the
Present Continuous
1The Present Simple is preferred to the Present Continuous when the action itself attracts the attention of the speaker and the idea of progress is unimportant at the moment.
You’ve always treated me badly and now you insult me.
You leave me no choice.
I repeat she has been rude again.
2The Present Simple is preferred to the Present Continuous when the speaker doesn’t concentrate on the progress of the action but rather on the circumstances attending that action.
You speak so slowly. – The manner of the action
Why do you look at me like that? – The cause of the action
3The Present Simple is used instead of the Present Continuous to denote actions and states happening at the moment of speaking with stative verbs. Stative (or state) verbsrefer to states. So they have no beginning and no end. They can’t be used in the continuous aspect.
There are several groups of stative verbs:
1 verbs denoting physical perception: to hear, to notice, to see, to sound, to smell, to taste
2 verbs denoting emotions: to adore, to care for, to detest, to dislike, to hate, to like, to love, to respect
3 verbs denoting wish: to desire, to want, to wish
4 verbs denoting mental processes: to admire (= to be of high opinion), to appreciate, to assume, to believe (= to consider), to consider (= to regard), to doubt, to expect (= to suppose), to feel (= to consider), to forget, to imagine, to know, to mind (= to object), to perceive, to presume, to realize, to recall, to recognize, to recollect, to regard, to remember, to suppose, to think (= to consider), to trust, to understand
5 relational verbs: to apply, to be, to belong, to concern, to consist, to contain, to depend, to deserve, to differ, to equal, to exist, to fit, to have, to hold (= to contain), to include, to involve, to lack, to matter, to measure, to need, to owe, to own, to possess, to remain, to require, to resemble, to result, to signify, to suffice, to weigh
6 some other verbs: to agree, to allow, to appear (= to seem), to astonish, to claim, to consent, to displease, to envy, to fail to do, to feel, to find, to forbid, to forgive, to intend, to interest, to keep doing, to look, to look like, to manage to do, to mean, to object, to please, to prefer, to prevent, to promise, to puzzle, to refuse, to remind, to satisfy, to seem, to succeed, to suit, to surprise, to tend, to value.
Compare progressive and non-progressive uses of some of the verbs listed above
Table 3
| state | action | |
| Indefinite | Continuous | |
| 1 be | He is noisy. (general characteristic) | He is being noisy. (behaves or pretends on purpose) |
| 2 have | We have a car. (possession) | We are having dinner. (no meaning of possession) |
| 3 feel | I feel you’re wrong. (consider, think) The cloth feels soft. (link verb) | The doctor is feeling my pulse. (touch) I was feeling for the keyhole in the dark. (try to find smth by touching) |
| BUT!Ifeel better. Or I am feeling better. (both are possible) | ||
| 4 depend | It depends on the weather. (to be dependent on smth) | I am depending on you. (rely) |
| 5 see | I see what you mean. (understand) I see a bird in that tree. (sense perception) | I am seeing him tomorrow. (meet by appointment) We are seeing about a work permit. (try to arrange) I am seeing them to the bus. (escort) She is seeing him off . |
| 6 hear | I’m listening but I don’t hear anything. (sense perception) | The court is hearing evidence today. I am hearing all about it these days. (receive news) I am hearing from him less and less. (receive letters, phone calls) |
| 7 smell | The meat smells awful. | Why are you smelling the meat? |
| 8 sound | The music sounds loud. | The driver is sounding the horn. |
| 9taste | The tea tastes bitter. | Why are you tasting the cake? |
| 10 weigh | The bag weighs five kilos. | We are weighing the bag. |
| 11 measure | The street measures 12 km. | We are measuring the street. |
| 12 look | This place looks strange. | I am looking for my key. Why are you looking at me? Who is looking after him? Etc. |
| BUT!You look nice. Or You are looking nice. | ||
| 13 think | I think he is right. (opinion) | I am thinking about the holidays. (the process of thinking) |
| 14 consider | We consider him our friend. (believe) | We are considering your application. (study) |
| 15 fit | The coat fits. (to be the right size) | I am fitting the lock to the window. |
| 16 come | I come from Sweden. (live or was born) | I am coming from Sweden. (travel) |
| 17 appear | She appears very nervous. (seem) | She is appearing in the film next month. (come before the public) |
| 18 hold | How many people does this room hold?(contain) | I am holding my arm straight. |
| 19 exist | These birds don’t exist anymore. (be) | People are existing here only on what they can find. (keep themselves alive) |
| 20 compare | My roses don’t compare with yours. (be as good as) | The author is comparing the information. |
| 21 mind | Does anyone mind opening the door? (object) | Everyone is minding their own business. (look after) |
| 22 expect | I expect that he will come. (think) | I am expecting my friend. (wait) |
Practice
Ex. 10 Explain why the Present Continuous is not used in the following sentences despite the fact that the actions in them take place at the moment of speaking:
l. The phone's ringing. Who's it for, I wonder? 2. You talk as if your son were a little boy. 3. Your scheme sounds full of holes to me. 4. There was a burst of laughter and music. Rose said wistfully: "They have a good time, don't they?" 5. The whole thing must be done right away. That leaves us only one alternative. 6. What's this? Sam, do you hear that? 7. What's the matter now? Why do you talk to me like that? 8. I'm sorry. I apologize. 9. "I feel a bit shaken." "You surprise me. I've never seen you like that." 10. "Do you think there may be some mistake here?" "Why do you ask me?" 11. In a minute or two he began to sigh. "He sighs like a turtle," Meg thought. 12. "She has gone away." "Oh, that tells me everything."
Ex. 11 Complete the conversation. Choose the correct form of the verb:
Emma: Hi, Matthew. What do you look/are you looking at?
Matthew: Oh, hi. These are photos of me when I was a child.
Emma: Oh, look at this one. I think/I'm thinking you look lovely, Matthew.
Matthew: I have/I'm having some more photos here.
Emma: Look at this. Why such a big coat?
Matthew: It was my brother's. That's why it didn't fit/it wasn't fitting properly.
Emma: Oh, I see/I'm seeing. And you have/you're having your tea here. And in this one you think/you're thinking about something very serious.
Matthew: This is a photo of the village I come/I'm coming from.
Emma: Oh, that's nice.
Matthew: And I caught this fish, look. It weighed/It was weighing about half a kilo.
Emma: What a nice little boy! And what a sentimental old thing you are now!
Ex. 12 Put in the correct form of be:
1. The children ... very polite today. They don't usually behave so well.
2. I'm afraid Melanie can't come because she ... ill.
3. Of course you can understand it. You ... stupid, that's all.
4. We ... interested in doing a course here.
5. Vicky ... very lazy at the moment. She's done no work at all today.
Ex. 13 Use the Present Indefinite or the Present Continuous:
1. He has suffered a great deal of pain. You (not to think) he (to behave) very well, though? 2. "I (to live) up there," she said, indicating the gates. 3. I never (to change) my shoes even when I (to get) my feet wet. 4. "By the way," I asked Arthur, "what Bill (to do) now?" 5. The guard stared at him. "You (to have) a pass?" 6. "Mr Brown (to play) cards?" he asked. 7. "Luis (to keep) something secret." "He (not to tell) you everything?" 8. They will have to stay with us when they (to arrive) here. 9. "And what has become of Mr Jones?" the man asked. "He (to do) well." 10. "You must forgive me," Mr Smith said, "but I (not to touch) alcohol." 11. It's no use mumbling at me out of the side of your mouth, and imagining that you (to speak) French. 12. "Dan," she said, turning to her husband with her hand over the mouthpiece, "why your brother (to call) so early?" 13. I (to believe) she (to feel) foolish this morning. 14. If there is one thing I (not to like) on a voyage it is the unexpected. Naturally I (not to talk) of the sea. The sea (to present) no problem. 15. He will give me a welcome whenever I (to come) here. 16. A very old woman was staring at them intently. "We (to do) something to attract attention?" Grace asked. 17. At the further end of the village (to stand) the medieval church. 18. "I shall go mad if this (to go) on much longer," said Rex. 19. "Where's Mrs Hardy?" "Downstairs, Sir. She (to greet) the guests." 20. May I put my car away in your garage in case anyone (to come)! 21. He gave me a smile as much as to say: "I only (to joke)." 22. Mr Smith and I never (to travel) anywhere without a bottle of aspirin. 23. The wheel of her bicycle was bent out of shape. "What I (to do) now?" she asked. 24. She always (to try) to show off to her husband that she can do without him. 25. The doctor (not to see) the patients today. He has been called away. 26. "If you (to feel) so strongly," she said, "why you (not to do) something about it?"
Ex. 14 Put the verbs in brackets into the Simple Present or the Present Continuous tense:
1. Cuckoos (not build) nests. They (use) the nests of other birds. 2. You can't see Tom now: he (have) a bath. 3. He usually (drink) coffee but today he (drink) tea. 4. What she (do) in the evenings? - She usually (play) cards or (watch) TV. 5. I won't go out now as it (rain) and I (not have) an umbrella. 6. The last train (leave) the station at 11.30. 7. He usually (speak) so quickly that I (not understand) him. 8. Ann (make) a dress for herself at the moment. She (make) all her own clothes. 9. Hardly anyone (wear) a hat nowadays. 10. I'm afraid I've broken one of your coffee cups. — Don't worry. I (not like) that set anyway. 11. I (wear) my sunglasses today because the sun is very strong. 12. Tom can't have the newspaper now because his aunt (read) it. 13. I'm busy at the moment. I (redecorate) the sitting room. 14. The kettle (boil) now. Shall I make the tea? 15. You (enjoy) yourself or would you like to leave now? - I (enjoy) myself very much. I (want) to stay to the end. 16. How you (get) to work as a rule? - I usually (go) by bus but tomorrow I (go) in Tom's car. 17. Why you (put) on your coat? - I (go) for a walk. You (come) with me? - Yes, I'd love to come. You (mind) if I bring my dog? 18. How much you (owe) him? - I (owe) him Ј5. - You (intend) to pay him? 19. You (belong) to your local library? - Yes, I do. - You (read) a lot?- Yes, quite a lot. - How often you (change) your books? - I (change) one every day. 20. Mary usually (learn) languages very quickly but she (not seem) able to learn modern Greek. 21. I always (buy) lottery tickets but I never (win) anything. 22. You (like) this necklace? I (give) it to my daughter for her birthday
tomorrow. 23. I won't tell you my secret unless you (promise) not to tell anyone. - I (promise). 24. You always (write) with your left hand? 25. You (love) him?- No, I (like) him very much but I (not love) him. 26. You (dream) at night? - Yes, I always (dream) and if I (eat) too much supper I (have) nightmares. 27. The milk (smell) sour. You (keep) milk a long time? 28. These workmen are never satisfied; they always (complain). 29. We (use) this room today because the window in the other room is broken. 30. He always (say) that he will mend the window but he never (do) it. 31. You (know) why an apple (fall) down and not up? 32. You (write) to him tonight? - Yes, I always (write) to him on his birthday. You (want) to send any message? 33. Tom and Mr Pitt (have) a long conversation. I (wonder) what they (talk) about. 34. You (believe) all that the newspapers say? - No, I (not believe) any of it. - Then why you (read) newspapers? 35. This car (make) a very strange noise. You (think) it is all right? - Oh, that noise (not matter). It always (make) a noise like that. 36. The fire (smoke) horribly. I can't see across the room. - I (expect) that birds (build) a nest in the chimney. - Why you (not put) wire across the tops of your chimneys? - Tom (do) that sometimes but it (not seem) to make any difference.
Ex. 15 Make up situations to justify the use of the Present Indefinite and the Present Continuous in the following pairs of sentences:
1. You'd better take your coat. It's raining out there.
1. You'd better take your coat. It rains out there.
2. They dance every style.
2. They are dancing every style.
3. "I know I'm boring you, but don't go," he said.
3. "I know I bore you, but don't go," he said.
4. I think they are both silly.
4. I think they are both being silly.
5. "His hands shake," said my aunt.
5. "His hands are shaking," said my aunt.
6. Who is sleeping in this room?
6. Who sleeps in this room?
7. He plays tennis.
7. He is playing tennis.
8. You're putting the umbrella in the wrong place.
8. You put the umbrella in the wrong place.
9. I don't eat fish.
9. I'm not eating fish.
Ex. 16 Translate the following sentences into English concentrating on the use of the Present Indefinite and the Present Continuous:
1. Где Тед? — В саду. — Что он там делает? 2. Брат никогда не простит мне, если я позволю тебе уйти. 3. Я не имею ни малейшего представления, о чем вы говорите. 4. Во всех номерах отеля есть ванна. 5. Он слышал, как она говорила по телефону: «Нет, у меня все в порядке. Я проснулась и завтракаю». 6. Мне, возможно, следует предупредить вас. Мы обучаем прямым методом. 7. Мы говорим только на эсперанто. 8. Значит ли это, что я старею? 9. «А что люди говорят обо мне здесь?» — спросила она. 10. Но они ничего еще не сделали. Как вы думаете, чего они ждут? 11. Эти люди говорят на языке, которого никто не знает. 12. Их фирма работает над новым автомобилем. Это большая новость. 13. Ты знаешь, как он любит автомобили. 14. Кстати, что здесь происходит? 15. Всякий раз, когда вам встретится слово, которое вы не знаете, посмотрите его в словаре. 16. «Я не сплю в доме», — сказал он. 17. Давай, я налью тебе воды. У тебя все еще дрожат руки. 18. Он сказал: «Мы никогда не доберемся до Лондона, если ты будешь вести машину так неосторожно». 19. «Удивительно, — сказал я, — как легко он заводит друзей». 20. «А что делает мать Сэнди в Японии?» 21. Ты помнишь Джеймса? Он теперь работает на новых издателей, и дела у него идут неплохо. 22. Я очень занят новой школой, которую мы строим. 23. Сэм, беги и поиграй в парке. Твой отец не очень хорошо себя чувствует. 24. Я не знаю, почему я плачу.
Ex. 17 Compare and choose the proper form:
1. She speaks/is speaking five languages.
2. Look at that man. He wears/is wearing such a funny hat.
3. Don't take that book back to the library. I am reading/ read it.
4. They have/are having two daughters and two sons.
5. Do you understand/are you understanding Spanish?
6. We think/are thinking opera is boring.
7. Be quiet! I am watching/watch my favorite program.
8. We don't enjoy/aren't enjoying this party at all. The music is too loud. But we are enjoying/enjoy going to big parties.
9. Alec and Mary are Scottish. They come/are coming from Glasgow. They'll be here very soon. They come/are coming by car.
10. Lisa can't answer the phone. She has/is having a bath.
11. Every hour the Planet Earth travels/is travelling 66,620 miles around the Sun.
12. Where is Jane? She listens/is listening to a French son» but she doesn't understand what it is meaning/means.
13. See you in the morning. I leave/I'm leaving now.
14. I can't stand horror films. I think/am thinking they are really silly.
15. Excuse me, does this bus stop/is this bus stopping outside the Post Office?
16. What do you do/are you doing? - I work in the travel agency.
Ex. 18 Put the verbs in brackets into the Simple Present or the Present Continuous tense:
1. What Tom (think) of the Budget? - He (think) it most unfair. - I (agree) with him. 2. What this one (cost)?- It (cost) forty pence. 3. You (hear) the wind? It (blow) very strongly tonight. 4. You (see) my car keys anywhere? - No, I (look) for them but I (not see) them. 5 He never (listen) to what you say. He always (think) about something else. 6 This book is about a man who (desert) his family and (go) to live on a Pacific island. 7 You (understand) what the lecturer is saying? - No, I (not understand) him at all. 8 What you (have) for breakfast usually? - I usually (eat) a carrot and (drink) a glass of cold water. 9 When the curtain (rise) we (see) a group of workers. They (picket) factory gate. 10 Why you (walk) so fast today? You usually (walk) quite slowly. - I (hurry) because I (meet) my mother at 4 o'clock and she (not like) to be kept waiting. 11 I (wish) that dog would lie down. He (keep) jumping up on my lap. - I (think) he (want) to go for a walk. 12 You (recognize) that man? - I (think) that I have seen him before but I (not remember) his name. 13 Look at that crowd. I (wonder) what they (wait) for. 14 This message has just arrived and the man (wait) in case you (want) to send a reply. 15 Stop! You (not see) the notice? - I (see) it but I can't read it because I (not wear) my glasses. What it (say)? - It (say) 'These premises are patrolled by guard dogs'. 16 She always (borrow) from me and she never (remember) to pay me back. 17 You (need) another blanket or you (feel) warm enough? 18 It (save) time if you (take) the path through the wood? - No, it (not matter) which path you take. 19 I (save) up because I (go) abroad in July. 20 I (think) it is a pity you don't take more exercise. You (get) fat. 21 The plane that you (look) at now just (take) off for Paris. 22 Tom never (do) any work in the garden; he always (work) on his car. 23 What he (do) to his car now? - I (think) he (polish) it. 24 That film (come) to the local cinema next week. You (want) to see it? 25 How Peter (get) on at school? - Very well. He (seem) to like the life. 26 Why Mrs Pitt (look) so angry? - Mr Pitt (smoke) a cigarette and (drop) the ash on the carpet. 27 This is our itinerary. We (leave) home on the 8th, (arrive) in Paris on the 9th, (spend) the day in Paris, and (set) out that night for Venice. - That (sound) most interesting. You must tell me all about it when you (get) back. 28 This story is about a boy who (make) friends with a snake which he (find) in his garden. Then he (go) away but he (not forget) the snake and some years later he (return) and (look) for it. 29 He (find) the snake who (recognize) its old friend and (coil) round him affectionately. But, unfortunately, the snake is by now a full-grown boa-constrictor and its embrace (kill) the poor boy. 30 The snake (feel) sorry about this?- I (not know). The story (end) there. 31 How you (end) a letter that (begin), 'Dear Sir'? - I always (put), 'Yours truly', but Tom (prefer) 'Yours faithfully'. 32 What the word 'catastrophe' (mean)? - It (mean) 'disaster'. 33 What you (wait) for?- I (wait) for the shop to open. - But it (not open) till 9.00. - I (know) but I (want) to be early, as their sale (start) today. 34 Why you (smoke) a cigar, Mrs Pitt? You (not smoke) cigars as a rule. - I (smoke) it because I (want) the ash. This book (say) that cigar ash mixed with oil (remove) heat stains from wood. 35 Who (own) this umbrella? - I (not know). Everybody (use) it but nobody (know) who (own) it. 36 You (mind) if I (ask) you a question? - That (depend) on the question. - It (concern) your brother. - I (refuse) to answer any question about my brother.
Ex. 19 Put the verbs in brackets into the correct present tense:
1 Ann sees Paul putting-on his coat and says: Where you (go), Paul? Paul: I (go) to buy some cigarettes. You (want) an evening paper? 2 Ann: No, thanks. You are always buying cigarettes, Paul. How many you (smoke) a day? Paul: I (not smoke) very many—perhaps 20. Jack (smoke) far more than I (do). He (spend) £10 a week on cigarettes. 3 Mary (see) Peter standing at the bus stop. Mary: Hello, Peter. What bus you (wait) for?Peter: Hello, Mary. I (wait) for a 9 or a 14. 4 Mary: You usually (go) to work by car, don't you? Peter: Yes, but the car (belong) to my mother and she sometimes (want) it. She (use) it today to take Tom to the dentist. 5 Mary: I usually (go) by car too. Jack (take) me because he (pass) my office on his way to the factory. But this week he (work) in a factory in the opposite direction: so I (queue) like you. 6 Peter: Here's a 9 now. You (come) on it or you (wait) for a 14? Mary: I (think) I'll take the 9. If I (wait) for a 14 I may be late, and if you (be) late at my office everyone (look) at you. 7 Mary and Ann (wait) outside a telephone box. Inside the box a boy (dial) a number. Mary: You (know) that boy? Ann: Yes, he's a friend of my brother's. He (phone) his girl friend every day from this box. 8 Mary: Where he (come) from? Ann: He (come) from Japan. He's a very clever boy; he (speak) four languages. 9 Mary: I (wonder) what he (speak) now. Ann: Well, his girl friend (come) from Japan too; so I (suppose) he (speak) Japanese. 10 It is 8.30. Tom and Ann (have) breakfast. They both (open) their letters. Tom: No one ever (write) to me. All I (get) is bills! You (have) anything interesting? 11 Ann: I've got a letter from Hugh. He (say) he (come) to London next week and (want) us to meet him for lunch. 12 Peter: You (have) traffic wardens in your country? Pedro: No, I (not think) so. You (not see) them in my town anyway. What exactly a traffic warden (do)? 13 Peter: He (walk) up and down the street and if a car (stay) too long; at a parking place or (park) in a no-parking area he (stick) a parking ticket to the windscreen. 14 Look! He (put) a ticket on Tom's car. Tom will be furious when he (see) it. He (hate) getting parking tickets. 15 Customer: I (want) to buy a fur coat. Have you any nice coats for about £500? Assistant: I'm afraid we just (close), madam. It's 4.55, and we always (close) at 5.00 sharp on Fridays as Mr Jones the manager (not want) to miss his favourite television programme. 16 It is Friday evening and the Brown family are at home. Mrs Brown (listen) to a concert on the radio; Mr Brown (read) a paper, George Brown (do) his homework and Ann Brown (write) a letter. 17 Mr Brown always (read) his newspapers in the evenings. Mrs Brown sometimes (knit) but she (not knit) tonight. 18 Mr Black often (go) to the theatre but his wife (not go) very often.
He (like) all sorts of plays. She (prefer) comedies. 19 Tonight they (watch) a very modern comedy. They (enjoy) it, but they (not understand) some of the jokes. 20 What (happen) in your class? The teacher (give) lectures every day? - No. He (give) one lecture a week, and on the other days he (show) films or (discuss) books with us. 21 A bus conductor (get) more exercise than a bus driver. The driver just (sit) in his cab but the conductor (stand) and (walk) about and (run) up and down the stairs. 22 Why that man (stand) in the middle of the road? - He (try) to get across. He (wait) for a gap in the traffic. - Why he (not use) the subway? - Lots of people (not bother) to use the subway. They (prefer) to risk their lives crossing here. 23 You (wear) a new coat, aren't you? - Yes. You (like) it? - The colour (suit) you but it (not fit) you very well. It's much too big. 24 All the guides here (speak) at least three foreign languages, because a lot of foreign visitors (come) every summer. 25 Paul (take) a party of French tourists round now and tomorrow an American party (come). 26 Englishmen very seldom (talk) on the Underground. They (prefer) to read their newspapers. - Those two men in the corner (talk). - But they (not talk) English. 27 Jones and Co. (have) a sale at the moment. Shall we look in on our way home? - I'd love to but I'm afraid I won't have time. I (meet) Tom at 5.30. - You (go) out with Tom often? 28 I usually (go) by train, but this weekend I (go) by bus. It (take) longer but it (cost) less. 29 Ann (on telephone): You (do) anything at the moment, Sally? Sally: Yes. I (pack); I (catch) a plane to New York in three hours' time. Ann: Lucky girl! How long you (stay) in New York? 30 Peter: You (go) out tonight, Paul? Paul: No, I (stay) at home. The neighbours (come) in to watch TV. Peter: You (invite) the neighbours often? Paul: No, but they (invite) themselves whenever there is a good programme. 31 Jack: I just (go) out to get an evening paper. Ann: But it (pour)! Why you (not wait) till the rain (stop)? (I advise you to wait.) 32 Lucy: Tom (get) up very early but he (wash) and (shave) and (get) his breakfast so quietly that I (not hear) a thing. But I (hear) him driving away from the house because his car (make) a lot of noise. 33 Alice: My brother (get) up very early too. But he (make) such a lot of noise that he (wake) everybody up. He (sing) in his bath and (bang) doors and (drop) things in the kitchen and (play) the radio very loudly. 34 Lucy: Why you (not ask) him to be a bit quieter? Alice: I (mention) it every night but it (not do) any good. He (say) that he (not make) a sound, and I (think) he really (believe) it. 35 Tom: You (see) that man at the corner? He (keep) stopping people and asking them questions. You (think) he (ask) for directions? Jack: No, I (expect) he (make) a survey. Tom: How you (make) a survey? Jack: You (stop) people and (ask) them questions and (write) the answers on a report sheet. 36 In most countries a child (start) school at six and (stay) for about five years in a primary school. Then he (move) to a secondary school. At 17 or 18 he (take) an exam; if he (do) well in this exam he can go on to a university if he (wish).
Ex. 20 Complete the conversations. Put in the correct form of each verb. Use the present continuous or the present simple:
1. A: ... (I / think) of buying a new computer.
B: But computers ... (cost) so much money. What's wrong with the one we've got?
A: ... (it / get) out of date now.
2. A: Your new trousers ... (look) nice.
B: Thank you. The trouble is ... (they / not / fit) properly. ... (I / not / know) why I bought them, really.
3. A: What ... (you/do)?
B: ... (I / weigh) this letter ... (I / need) to know how many stamps to put on it.
4. A: ... (I / think) this road is really dangerous. Look how fast that lorry
B: ... (I/ agree). People shouldn't go so fast.
5. A: ... (I / like) musicals. And this is a great show, isn't it? ... (you / enjoy) it?
B: Yes, I am. ... (I / love) every minute of it.
6. A: ... (I / always / fall) asleep. I just can't keep awake.
B: What time ... (you / go) to bed?
A: About ten o'clock usually. But ... (it / not / make) any difference.
7. A: Could you post the goods to me, please?
B: Yes, certainly.
A: ... (I / live) at a guest house at the moment as ... (I / look) for a flat. So could you send it to my work address?
B: Yes, of course. And you'll have the goods by the end of the week, ... (I / promise).
8. A: Why ... (you / want) to change the whole plan?
B: I'm just not happy with it.
A: And ... (I / not / understand) why ... (you / be) so difficult about it.
Ex. 21 Put the verbs in brackets into the Simple Present or the Present Continuous tense:
1 Mrs Jones: My daughter never (write) to me so I never (know) what she (do). Your son (write) to you, Mrs Smith? Mrs Smith: Yes, I (hear) from him every week. He (seem) to like writing letters. 2 These apples (cost) 40p a bag. You (think) that is expensive? - It (depend) on the size of the bag. 3 I (see) my solicitor tomorrow (/ have arranged this)', I (change) my will. - You always (change) your will. Why you (not leave) it alone? 4 You (look) very thoughtful. What you (think) about? - I (think) about my retirement. - But you're only 25. You only just (start) your career. - I (know); but I (read) an article which (say) that a sensible man (start) thinking about retirement at 25. 5 My next door neighbour always (knock) on my door and (ask) me lend her lOp pieces. - What she (do) with them? - She (put) them in her gas meter. I really (not mind) lending her a few l0p pieces but what (annoy) me is that she (know) how many she (need) each week but never (take) the trouble to bring the right number home. - 6 What she (do) if she (run out) of them when you are away? - Oh, she (borrow) from her other neighbour, Mr White; but this (take) longer because he always (want) her to stay and chat and she (find) quite hard to get away from him. - 7 How much she (owe) you now? - I (not know); I (not keep) an account. Anyway she (leave) next week; she (get) married. I (try) to think of a suitable wedding present. 8 Why you (not offer) to cancel her debt? - That (sound) rather a mean sort of present. Anyway she probably (not realize) that she (owe) me money. - 9 My brother (say) that people who (owe) him money always (seem) forget about it, but people he (owe) money to always (remember) exactly. 10 I (not think) your brother (enjoy) the party. He (keep) looking at his watch. - Oh, I'm sure he (enjoy) it. He always (enjoy) your parties. But I (know) he (want) to be home early tonight because he (expect) an important telephone call. 11 Jack: How much longer you (stay) in England? Paul: Only one more day. I (leave) tomorrow night. I (go) to Holland for two weeks. 12 Jack: And you (come) back to England after that or you (go) home? Paul: It (depend) on my father. But if he (agree) to let me go on studying here, I'll certainly come back. And I (expect) he will agree. 13 Paul: By the way, Jack, Ann (see) me off at Victoria tomorrow. Why you (not come) too? You could have coffee with her afterwards. (Paul is advising/inviting Jack to come and see him off.) 14 You (see) that man at the corner of the street? He is a private detective. He (watch) No. 24. - How you (know) he (watch) No. 24? - Because whenever anyone (come) out of, or (go) into, the house he (make) a note in his little book. 15 What all those people (do) in the middle of the street? And why they (wear) such extraordinary clothes? - They (make) a film. Most of the crowd are local people who (work) as extras. - 16 It (sound) great fun. You (think) I could get a job as a film extra? - I (not know) but I (see) Ann over there; when they (finish) this scene I'll ask her if they still (take) on extras. - 17 Ann (act) in the film? - She has a small part. She (not act) very well. I (imagine) she got the part because she (know) the director. 18 My brother (live) next door and his two children (come) and (see) me every day. The boy (not bother) to knock at the door; he just (climb) in through the window; but the girl always (knock). 19 Tom: We (move) into our new house tomorrow. Bill: But why you (leave) your present house? It (suit) you all. Tom: Yes, I (know) it (do); but the Council (pull down) all the houses on this side. They (widen) the road. They (say) it's a bottleneck. 20 If you (ask) a friend if she (like) your new dress she usually (say) 'Yes'; so you (not know) whether she really (think) it (suit) you or whether she merely (be) polite. 21 If you (want) a candid opinion you'd better ask my sister. She never (tell) white lies; she always (say) exactly what she (think). 22 Your sister's frankness (annoy) people? -
Yes, it (do). The average person (not want) a truthful answer; he (want) you to say something agreeable. 23 I (hear) that you have bought a new house. - Yes, but I (not live) in it yet. They still (work) on it, and the work (take) longer than I expected. - 24 I (think) repair jobs always (take) longer than one (expect). What they (do) now? - They (put) in new electric points. They (seem) competent electricians but they (smoke) at their work and this (slow) them down. 25 They always (hammer) next door. - Yes, that house (keep) changing hands and the new owner always (begin) by putting in a new fireplace, and their fireplace is just on the other side of this wall so we (hear) everything. The wall (shake), too. 26 Ann (stir) something in a saucepan and Mary (stand) beside her holding a cookery book. Mary: It (say) 'simmer', and you (boil) it, Ann. Ann: I (not think) it (matter) if you (cook) it quickly; but I (not know) why it (not get) thick. It usually (thicken) at once. 27 The hall (be) painted at the moment, so it (not look) its best. - But where are the painters? They (stop) work at 3.00? - No, they are in the kitchen. They (have) a tea break. 28 What the word 'Establishment' (mean)? My dictionary (not give) an explanation. - It roughly (mean) the government and people who (have) power and authority. 29 If we (say) that Mr Brown (belong) to the Establishment we also (imply) that he (accept) the existing system. He (not try) to overthrow it. - 30 All rich men (belong) to the Establishment? - Middle-aged rich men probably (do) but rich young men like pop singers always (jeer) at the Establishment. The word (be used) chiefly in a pejorative sense. 31 The house opposite the college (be pulled) down. That's why we (use) the back entrance at present. If you (go) out by the front door you (get) covered with dust. 32 Tom: I (smell) something burning! Jack: So (do) 1. I (think) it (come) from the kitchen. Ann probably (iron). She usually (iron) and (watch) TV at the same time and if she (get) very interested in a programme she (forget) that she (press) a hot iron on to somebody's shirt. Mother (think) of selling the TV set. 33 Mrs Jones: What you (look) for, Tom? Mr Jones: I (look) for the garage key. I always (look) for the garage key, because nobody ever (put) it back on its hook.
Mrs Jones: I always (put) it back on its hook. Why you (not try) your pockets? (I advise you to try your pockets). 34 Imagine that you (travel) by train, in a crowded compartment. One of the passengers (read) a newspaper; another (do) a crossword puzzle; another (look out) of the window. Suddenly the train (stop) with a jerk and your suitcase (fall) off the rack on to somebody's toes. 35 This is a story about an invalid who (spend) most of the day in bed. He has a powerful telescope and he (amuse) himself by watching the activities of the people in the opposite houses. One day when he (watch) No. 24 he (see) a murder being committed. 36 The cashier used to do the accounts and I used to check his figures now the computer (do) it all. - And who (check) the computer? - No one. The computer (not need) a second opinion. - And what (happen) if the computer (make) a mistake? - The computer never (make) a mistake.
Ex. 22 Translate the following sentences into English concentrating on the choice between the Present Indefinite and the Present Continuous to express actions taking place at the moment of speaking:
1. «Это моя ошибка. Я приношу свои извинения», — сказал он. 2. «Где лейтенант?» — «Он там вон лежит и наблюдает за вражеским патрулем». З. Я все еще не понимаю вас. 4. На перекрестке старик сказал торопливо: «Здесь я расстаюсь с тобой. Я иду к дочери». 5. Я говорю тебе это в качестве предупреждения, Милли. 6. Он знает, что мы уходим? 7. «Вы что, хотите мне сказать, что мой отец лжет?» — «О нет, нет, молодой человек, вы преувеличиваете». 8. Что ты имеешь в виду, Сэм? Ты говоришь загадками. 9. Не груби. Тебе это не идет. 10. «Неужели ты не видишь, что я устал? Все, что мне сейчас нужно, — это сигарета и ванна». 11. «Как ты себя чувствуешь? Почему ты не ешь суп?» — «Я не хочу». 12. «Поль где-то здесь?» — «Он принимает ванну». 13. «Почему ты такой раздражительный?» — «Я не раздражительный». — «Тогда не кричи». — «Я не кричу».
Ex. 23 Use the Present Indefinite or the Present Continuous of the verbs in brackets:
l. I'm about to move to London and I (to try) to decide which books and records to take along. 2. "You're young," he said. "Young people (to do) a lot of foolish things." 3. Why you (to wear) an engagement ring? You are not engaged. 4. It was a shock to her, but she is the kind that (not to break) down. 5. One shouldn't drink when one (to drive). 6. She always (to try) a little too hard to make people like her. 7. "What he (to do) there?" "He (to write) a book, I believe." 8. He (to know) a lot of languages. 9. What you (to do) when you are by yourself? 10. "Ellen (to wait) for you." "Yes, I know." 11. Write him a note and see it (to be) delivered. 12. Why you (not to try) to rest now, Sam? Try and sleep. 13. I'm sorry you (not to feel) well, dear. 14. "I (to start) work next week." "And we all (to look) forward very much to having you in the office. You (to join) us at an interesting time." 15. "Ray, come here a minute, will you?" "Oh, what you (to want)? Can't you see I (to watch) the telly?" 16. She asked George who hadn't moved, "Well, what you (to stand) there for? What you (to think) about?" 17. What sort of parts you (to play) on the stage? 18. "What you (to do) tonight?" "I don't know yet. I (to get) rather used to being at home every night." 19. Jill (to be) rude to me. Why you (not to stop) her? 20. "You ever (to play) cards?" he asked. 21. "What we (to do) now?" "When it (to be) light we'll go back to the car." 22. For goodness' sake see that these new boys (to get) their hair cut properly. 23. She (to suffer) from a very unusual form of kidney disease. 24. I (not to go) home for lunch on Mondays. Mother (to get) up early on Mondays and (to do) her washing. 25. When she looked at him he was no longer smiling and lost in thought again. "How quickly your mood (to change)!" she exclaimed. 25. "Come to my room this minute," he said. "You (to hear) me? Please, hurry, I (to wait) for you." 26. "Of course I (to joke)," he said in confusion. 27. "How's Jon?" "He (to grow) peaches in North Carolina." 28. "Mr Desert in?" "No, Sir. Mr. Desert has just started for the East. His ship (to sail) tomorrow." "Oh," said Michael blankly: "Where from?" "Plymouth, Sir. His train (to leave) Paddington at midnight. You may catch him yet." 29. You (to look) hot. Haven't you something cooler to wear? 30. Sometimes I (to think) about what you and I (to do) here, and whether any of it is really worth it. 31. "Yes, how time (to fly)" observed Lily. 32. "You must let me out here. Now I can easily walk to the railway station." "What train you (to take)!" "The next to Montreal." "Then you (to leave) Canada." "Yes." "Just a holiday?" "No. I (to return) to England." 33. "The note (to say) that you are to blame." "She (to lie)" "Who (to lie)?" "The teacher." 34. Well, the easiest way to make sure that I (not to say) the wrong thing is not to bring your friends here. 35. Philip looked down at his son. "You are a little beggar," he said. "You always (to want) something." 36. "Sh ... sh!" she warned. "You (to become) conspicuous." 37. He certainly wants to see you. It's the last chance because his regiment (to leave) the country early next week. 38. I (to see) him tomorrow. 39. I'll see to it that he (to take) his sister with him. 40. The boy appeared with a railway time-table in his hand. "The next train (to leave) in twenty minutes."
Ex. 24 Translate the sentences using the Present Indefinite or the Present Continuous:
1. Дождь все еще идет. Я вижу дождевые капли на стекле. 2. Эти люди так пристально смотрят на вас. Вы знаете их? 3. Как называется журнал, который вы просматриваете? 4. Что вы стоите в дверях? Проходите, мы как раз пьем чай. 5. Мы приближаемся к морю. 6. Что ты слушаешь? – Я слушаю концерт из Колонного зала. 7. Этот человек очень хорошо говорит по-английски, но мне трудно понимать его, так как он говорит очень быстро, а я знаю язык недостаточно хорошо. 8. Молодой рабочий, с которым разговаривает журналист, работает на 12 станках. Сейчас он, очевидно, рассказывает о своих методах. 9. Я не люблю таких людей, как он. Он всегда мечтает, но ничего не делает, чтобы осуществить свои мечты. 10. Позвони на вокзал и узнай, когда приходит поезд из Москвы. 11. Достаньте билет. Контролер проверяет билеты. 12. Не шевелись, фотограф уже тебя снимает. 13. Вы ошиблись. Вы передаете мне горчицу, а не перец. 14. Она всегда жалуется на своего сына, когда бы я ее не встретил. 15. Не входите в комнату. Он проявляет пленки.