The Simple Present and Present Progressive in commentary

The Simple Present and the Present Progressive are often used in commentaries on events taking place at the moment, particularly on radio and television. In such cases, the Simple Present is used to describe rapid actions completed at the moment of speaking and the Present Progressive is used to describe longer-lasting actions:

  • MacFee passes to Franklyn, Franklyn makes a quick pass to Booth. Booth is away with the ball, but he's losing his advantage.

The Simple Present and Present Progressive in narration

When we are telling a story or describing things that have happened to us, we often use present tenses (even though the events are in the past) in order to sound more interesting and dramatic. The Progressive is used for 'background' and the Simple Tense for the main events:

  • I'm driving along this country road and I'm completely lost. Then I see this old fellow. He's leaning against a gate. I stop the car and ask him the way. He thinks a bit, then says, 'Well, if I were you, I wouldn't start from here.'

 

The Simple Present in demonstrations and instructions

This use of the Simple Present is an alternative to the imperative. It illustrates step-by-step instructions:

  • First (you) boil some water. Then (you) warm the teapot. Then (you) add three teaspoons of tea. Next, (you) pour on boiling water.

 

The Simple Present in synopses (e.g. reviews of books, films, etc.)

  • Kate Fox's novel is an historical romance set in London in the 1880s. The action takes place over a period of 30 years.

 

The Simple Present and Present Progressive in newspaper headlines and e.g. photographic captions

The Simple Present is generally used to refer to past events:

  • FREAK SNOW STOPS TRAFFIC

  • DISARMAMENT TALKS BEGIN IN VIENNA

 

The abbreviated Progressive refers to the future. The infinitive can also be used for this purpose:

  • CABINET MINISTER RESIGNING SOON (or: TO RESIGN SOON)