1.3.3 Present simple and present continuous contrasted
We use the present simple to describe permanent situations or to refer to regular, habitual actions and the present continuous for temporary or provisional actions, e.g.:
 | Dover lies on the coast.
(Dover está situado en la costa.) |
| Dogs eat bones.
(Los perros comen huesos.) |
| Look. That dog's eating a bone.
(¡Mira! Aquel perro se come un hueso.) |
| It rains a lot in the north.
(Llueve mucho en el norte.) |
| We won't take the dog for a walk today because it's raining.
(No salimos a pasear al perro hoy porque llueve.) |
| I usually go to work by car but this week I'm going by bus because my car's being repaired.
(Normalmente voy al trabajo en coche, pero esta semana he ido en autobús porque me están arreglando el coche.) |
| Jane reads a great deal. At the moment she's reading a novel by Chekhov.
(Jane lee mucho. Actualmente lee una novela de Chekhov.) |
We also use the present continuous for changing situations, often with more and more, e.g.:
| More and more people are becoming vegetarian.
(Cada vez más gente se vuelve vegetariana.) |
| These days house prices are going up all the time.
(Actualmente los precios de la vivienda no paran de subir.) |
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Notice that adverbs of frequency (always, usually, often, sometimes, seldom, never, etc.) typically go with the present simple, but contrast, e.g.:
| Jeremy always phones me after 6 o'clock.
(Jeremy siempre me llama a partir de las 6.) |
| Johnny is always phoning me late at night.
(Johnny siempre me llama tarde por la noche.) |
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The first is a statement of fact; the second suggests criticism (because Johnny phones too late.), e.g.:
| Johnny phones too late. |
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