No definite time is given for the event, but to emphasise the idea of recentness we can use just. I've just broken my watch. We can also describe events that have not happened. / haven't found her phone number yet. | GRAMMAR 4 PRESENT TIME Problems with simple and continuous Some verbs are not normally used in the continuous form because they describe activities which already extend in time. These are called state verbs. be believe cost depend have hear know matter smell suppose taste think understand Some of these verbs can be used in continuous forms with a change of meaning. Tim is being rather difficult at the moment. behave I m having breakfast. eat I m tasting the soup to check if it needs more salt. sample I m thinking of buying a new car. consider In many situations we can use either a simple or continuous form. The simple form is for a permanent situation or general habit the continuous form is for a temporary situation. live in London. it s my permanent home I m living in London. just for a year - my home is in Athens Do you sleep a lot Is it your habit Are you sleeping enough What is happening at the moment 21 CATE LANGUAGE PRACTICE Practice Underline the most suitable verb form in each sentence. a What sort of work do you do are you doing b I can t talk now. I cook I m cooking the dinner. c What shall we have Do you like Are you liking fish d Can I borrow this typewriter Or do you use are you using it e What do the people here do are the people here doing in the evenings f Follow that bus. Then you turn are turning left. g A lot of people think that the Sun goes is going around the Earth. h Excuse me do you read are you reading your newspaper Could I borrow it i Do you wait Are you waiting for the bus to Newcastle j Andy builds is building his own house in the country. 2 Put each verb in brackets into either the present simple or the present continuous a There s nobody here and the door s locked. What we do .do we do. now b What you look .at I wear .the wrong clothes c I look after .Jack s dog this weekend. you want . to take it for a walk d Who drive .the Mercedes that s parked outside e I still have .a pain in my leg but it get .better. f Who Sue dance .with That
