Present Tenses

The Present Simple refers to "permanent states or situations" and to "regular happenings or habits":

Examples:

We always file documents here and send copies to head off ice.

He lives in London but spends every other week in LA.

Does your company deal with the Far East?

The following adverbs are typically used with the present simple:

always, generally, occasionally, frequently, sometimes, often, usually, normally, on a regular basis, regularly, twice a year, once a month, once a year, every year, every two weeks, every other month, once in a while, from time to time, never, rarely, hardly ever, seldom

The Present Progressive (or present continuous) refers to "temporary, developing, or changing situations":

Examples:

While she's looking for accommodation, she is staying with US.

What are you doing here all alone in the dark?

The market outlook for North America is getting better. Is anybody taking Mr. Rossi's calls while he is working at home?

Some typical adverbs

at the moment, right now, now, just now, this morning, today,

presently (US & Scots), at present, for the moment, this afternoon

Note that some Verbs (known as "stative Verbs"> are not normally used with the present progressive:

I realize that their product costs less than ours, but ours is better.

I believe he still owes us quite a lot of money.

Do you remember how much each parcel weighs?

Each package that we are sending contains 12 items.

Our rate of discount depends on the quantity you order.

Typical Verbs:

like, believe, belong, deserve, matter, own, prefer, fit, remember, realize, understand, owe, contain, measure, weigh, cost, consist of, depend on, lack, appear, look like

Please translate the following sentences into English:

1. Die neue Fräsmaschine ist vollautomatisch.
2. Außerdem ist sie für eine breite Produktpalette ausgelegt.
3. Um heutzutage konkurrenzfähig sein zu können, muß man bereit sein, etwas zu riskieren und zu investieren.
4. Während Sie sich die Werkstatt anschauen, gehe ich schon mal ins Büro.
5. Irgend etwas stimmt mit den Zündkerzen nicht. Ich weiß nur noch nicht genau, was es eigentlich ist.
6. Was tust Du denn gerade? Du wirst es nicht glauben, aber ich erfinde gerade einen einzigartig neuen Schraubstock.
7. Zwei Stifte sind kaputt. Kann man sie noch reparieren oder müssen sie ersetzt werden?
8. Das neue System verwendet Sand, der mit Gas durch die Rohre getrieben wird.

On the Phone

Decide which of the verbs fits best in the following sentences:

What other verbs could be used instead?

be over call back/ring back cut off get through give up

hang up hold on look up pick up put on put through

1. The phone is ringing. Why don't you pick up the receiver?
2. Mrs. Scott isn't available at the moment. Can you call/ring back later?
3. Can you look up - Ms Dumas' number in the directory, please?
4. I'm sorry about that I'm glad that you are still there. We must have been cut off for a moment.
5. Mr. Green never seems to be in his office. I've been trying to get through to him all morning.
6. Could you hold on for a moment, I'll just find out for you.
7. I'm afraid Mr. Green is with a client, shall I put you through to his secretary?
8. Is Graham there? If so, could you put him on please?
9. If the telephonist says "Thank you so much for calling", and plays that awful electronic music again, I'll hang up.
10. You'll never get New York at this time of day. If I were you, I'd give up.
11. If an American telephonist asks "Are you through?", she wants to know if your call is over.