6.1 Write these sentences putting the verbs into the correct tense:

1. She (read) at the moment. – S he's reading at the moment.

2. (You go) to work by car? – Do you go to work by car?

3. I (not watch) television every night. – I don't watch television every night.

4. I (not watch) television at the moment. – I'm not watching television at the moment.

5. We (see) our parents every week.

6. (You listen) to the radio now?

7. I (not get up) at seven o'clock every morning.

8. Peter (talk) to Susan now.

9. (They work) in the restaurant at the weekends?

10. She (listen) to the radio in her bedroom at the moment.

6.2 Someone is asking you questions. Write the short answers:

1. “Are your brothers working today?' – 'Yes, _____”

2. 'Do you speak Italian?' – 'No, _____”

3. 'Do you like this school?' – 'Yes, _____”

4. 'Do you go to school in London?' – 'Yes, _____”

5. “Is your mother watching television?' – 'Yes, _____”

6. 'Do you go to school on Sundays?' – 'No, _____”

7. “Are your parents staying here?' – 'No, _____”

8. 'Does the dog sleep in your bedroom?' – 'No, _____”

9. 'Do you get up at eight o'clock?' – 'Yes, _____”

10. “Is Mary listening to the stereo?' – 'Yes, ______”

6.3 Complete these sentences, putting the verbs into the correct tense (Present Simple or Present Continuous):

e.g. What's that book you are reading? (read)

1. We usually _______ to the beach at the weekend. (go)

2. She _______ to me every week. (write)

3. 'Where's Kevin?' – He _______ football with his friends.' (play)

4. My boss _______ to New York every month. (fly)

5. Can you answer the phone? I _______. (cook)

6. Look! That man _______ to get into our car. (try)

7. _______ you _______ to school every morning? (walk)

8. The bank _______ on Sundays. (not open)

9. Her son _______ her very often. (not visit)

10. He _______ his car every weekend. (wash)

Stative verbs

Verbs describing a permanent state (stative verbs) do not normally have continuous forms. These are:

1. Verbs of senses: see, hear, smell, feel, taste etc (We often use can or could with these verbs.

e.g. Can you see that tall boy over there? 

The verbs look, watch and listen express deliberate actions and can be used in continuous forms.

e.g. Be quiet please! I'm listening to the news.

But: I can't hear you. Can you speak louder, please?

The verbs feel and hurt can be used in either continuous or simple forms, though.

e.g. A: How are you feeling today? or How do you feel today?

B: My leg is hurting. or My leg hurts.

2. Verbs of opinion: agree, believe, consider etc

3. Verbs of emotions: feel, forgive, hate, like, love etc

4. Other verbs: appear (=seem), be, belong, fit (= be the right shape and size for smth), have (=possess), know, look (= appear), need, prefer, require, want, weigh, wish etc

e.g. He knows where Peter is. (not is knowing)

Some stative verbs (see, smell, taste, feel, think, have etc) have continuous forms but there is a difference in meaning.

6.4 Circle the correct form of the verb in these sentences:

1. You're very quiet. What do you think / are you thinking about?

2. What are you thinking / do you think about the new sports centre?

3. I'm sorry I'm not agreeing / I don't agree with you.

4. Are you looking / Do you look for me?

5. Do you prefer / Are you preferring walking to cycling?

6. I don't like / I'm not liking him at the moment.

7. I hear / I'm hearing you're leaving us.

8. I'm afraid I'm not remembering / I don't remember where we met.

9. Do you listen / Are you listening to the radio at the moment?

10. I'm hating / I hate cold evenings.

6.5 Complete these sentences, putting the verbs into the correct tense:

1. The car isn't here today because Sheila (use) _______ it.

2. She generally (use) _______ the bus, but the drivers are on strike.

3. We usually (stay) _______ at home on Fridays, but we came out tonight because we (celebrate) _______ our anniversary.

4. I (come) _______ from Scotland, though I (live) _______ in London just now.

5. I (stay) _______ with my parents at the moment, though I (have) _______ my own flat.

6. They usually (work) _______ at the weekends, though they (not work) _______ at the moment.

7. He (teach) _______ in a language school, though he (work) _______ in a factory at the moment because the school's on holiday.

8. The business usually (make) _______ money, though it (do) _______ rather badly just now.

9. I usually (work) _______ at night, though I (have) _______ a holiday at the moment.

10. I (study) _______ French at the moment, but I (not / speak) _______ it very well yet.

Future Simple and