Present continuous
Let’s examine some parts of the text from the previous lesson in which the present continuous tense is used to speak about changes that take place over time:
- "As you climb, your feet are getting heavier and heavier and the heat (or rain!) pouring down from the sky is making you tired (...)."
- "Each year numerous tourists visit the Tatras and their number is growing steadily."
We can also use present continuous tense when we make complaints about annoying habits:
- "You are always working till late. Why don’t you take a day off?"
- "She is constantly quarrelling with her colleagues."
Present simple
Present simple tense is also used in newspaper headlines and recipes:
- "Prime Minister accuses the government of dilatoriness"
- "When they dough is ready, you sprinkle some flour on it"
We can also use the present simple tense while narrating past events/the plot of a novel or for telling jokes to make these stories more vivid (it is called "historic present"):
- "In 1989 the communist regime collapses and the first partially democratic parliamentary elections take place"