GRAMMAR: Present Simple vs Present Continuous

We use the Present Simple (V / V_s):

*for routines and habits: I go to the bank twice a month.

*for permanent situations: My friend works in a bank.

*for facts: Water boils at 100° centigrade.

*for timetables or fixed events in the future, that are beyond the speaker's control: The lessons start at 8.30 am.

We use the Present Continuous (am / is / are + V_ing):

*for actions happening now: I’m working on my report at the moment.

*for temporary actions or situations: She’s staying with her friends till she finds a new flat.

*for changing or developing situations: The economic situation is getting worse in this country.

*to talk about something that happens often and is unplanned / irritating (with always): He’s always complaining.

*to talk about future arrangements and plans: I’m leaving at 4 on the first flight to London.

Ex.1. Choose the correct variant:

1 All the guides here speak/are speaking two foreign languages, because a lot of foreign tourists come/are coming every year. 2 The meeting starts/is starting. We'd better go in. 3 I work/am working for a firm that makes/is making medical equipment. 4 I go/am going to the supermarket. Do you want anything? 5 The train is leaving/leaves in 10 minutes. 6 They always make noise/are making noise next door. 7 Our meetings usually are starting/start at 4 pm. 8 When a company isn’t successful, it is going/goes out of business. 9 I work/’m working overtime this week. 10 Tom is very reliable, everybody is trusting/trusts him. 11 He usually is coming/comes to his office on time. 12 The sun is setting/sets in the West. 13 China becomes/is becoming more popular as a location for international business. 14 He earns/is earning over € 20,000 a year.

Ex.2. Complete these sentences using the correct form of the verb in brackets:

1 I never (work) at the weekend. 2 He (smoke) 30 cigarettes a day but at the moment he (try) very hard to cut down. 3 What you (think) about? 4 Business (become) more international and secretaries (need) inter-national communication skills. 5 He (make) paper products. 6 The speaker (wait for) a phone call. 7 The manager (check) the production levels every day. 8 Don’t trouble them.They (sign) the contract. 9 Multi-nationals (compete) for a market share. 10 The express train always (arrive) on time. 11 The delegation (come) at 5 pm tomorrow. 12 She (run) her own business. 13 The firm (specialize) in green tourism.

Ex.3. Correct the mistakes where necessary:

1 Although we sometimes go to a restaurant, we usually are eating at home. 2 Most American families has at least one automobile. 3 I’m usually going to the market on Fridays. 4 My friend often go on business trips abroad. 5 Multinationals now operate in every sector of industry. 6 The largest bank in the country plans to close some of its branches. 7 The firm makes excellent progress this week. 8 My friend has collected necessary documentation and now establishes his own business. 9 The South is depending more on small businesses forjobsthen on large corporations. 10 Women run 25 % of existing small businesses. 11 I can't talk now. I make a report. 12 Due to expansion, we are looking for new business partners.

Ex.4. Translate into English:

1) Ця компанія використовує найсучасніше обладнання. 2) Емі працює над перекладом економічної статті. 3) Транснаціональні корпорації працюють у багатьох країнах світу. 4) Мій брат займається малим бізнесом. 5) Економічна ситуація в країні впливає на розвиток бізнесу. 6) Багато європейських компаній торгують з Японією. 7) Зараз уряд намагається знизити ціни на продовольчі товари. 8) Її подруга вивчає економіку. 9) Моя фірма зараз шукає нових ділових партнерів. 10) Він заробляє $ 25,000 на рік. 11) Мене не цікавить ваша пропозиція. Я розширюю свій власний бізнес. 12) Власники торгових підприємств зустрічаються завтра о 9 годині.

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