The Present Continuous or progressive tense

The Present Continuous or present progressive tense, commonly it is used to describe actions that are happening at the moment (NOW).

Ex.: Robert is playING with my sister.

Basic use:

-To express action in progress now, temporarily.

Ex.: It's pouring with rain.

-For something already begun before or repeated or habitual action in the present.

Ex.: Anyone who looks at his passenger when He is driving a car is a dangerous driver.

-To show that that the repetition of an action is temporary; it will not go on being repeated forever.

Ex.: We are sleeping out on the terrace during this worm weather.

-To to express intended future action.

Ex.: I’m leaving on the first train tomorrow morning.

Patterns:  S + verb to be (AM/IS/ARE) + -ing form of a verb+ Complement.

Some electronic address to review and learn more about The Present Continuous:

http://www.inglestotal.com/present-continuous-progressive-tense-uso-y-estructura-to-be-ing-el-gerundio-lesson-8/

http://www.wikilearning.com/curso_gratis/curso_de_ingles-present_continuous_presente_continuo/3405-7

Present simple

Present simple tense, it is used to express actions that take place in the present and/or with a certain frequency, it means, every day, every morning, and so on.

Ex.: John washes the dishes every day. (John washed the dishes every day).

Basically it is:

-To show that something happens repeatedly or habitually.

Ex.: Jhon gives his wife a bunch of flower on the first of every month.

-To express ability.

Ex.: My wife makes better omelettes than I do.

Patterns: (S+V+C)