Present Time 3

Present Time 3

Present Simple: Frequency adverbs

                 *     Frequency adverbs are often used with the Present Simple. They explain how often                               someone does an action or something happens. 

 Examples: 

                 *     I always get up at 5:00 AM. 

                 *     Danny often goes to football games.

                 *     It usually rains when I take a vacation!

                 *     We sometimes eat pizza for lunch. 

                 *     John rarely listens to jazz. 

                 *     My friend never arrives on time. 

• Note that the frequency adverb usually goes between the subject and the verb. 

• Frequency adverbs used with the verb "be" come after the verb. 
• Jim is usually late.

State and event verbs

• Some verbs are usually used in present simple and not in present continuous. These are sometimes called state verbs because they describe continuing states, not sudden action

• having and being:  belong to contain, cost, depend on, have, own.
• Thinking and feeling:  believe, forget, like, hate, know, prefer, understand.

• Some verbs are more common as state verbs in present simple, and change their meaning when they are used as event verbs in present continuous. 

          Event verbs describe actions. 

                I have two sisters.                                        (permanent)

                I´m having problems with this computer.   (a temporary action)

           Examples include Be, have, taste, think. 

• Some state verbs can be used to describe temporary feelings. 

                 How are you doing with your English conversation?

                 I am understanding more and more!