{"id":7104,"date":"2025-06-18T20:11:36","date_gmt":"2025-06-18T13:11:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/student-activity.binus.ac.id\/bnec\/?p=7104"},"modified":"2025-06-18T20:11:36","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T13:11:36","slug":"learning-english-grammar-through-movies-the-basics-of-the-simple-present-and-present-continuous-tenses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/student-activity.binus.ac.id\/bnec\/2025\/06\/18\/learning-english-grammar-through-movies-the-basics-of-the-simple-present-and-present-continuous-tenses\/","title":{"rendered":"LEARNING ENGLISH GRAMMAR THROUGH MOVIES: THE BASICS OF THE SIMPLE PRESENT AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSES"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b><a href=\"http:\/\/student-activity.binus.ac.id\/bnec\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/06\/resized.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7105\" src=\"http:\/\/student-activity.binus.ac.id\/bnec\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/06\/resized.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1397\" height=\"590\" \/><\/a><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">English learners often struggle to absorb grammar rules when they are taught in isolation from real-life contexts. Traditional textbooks and grammar exercises may explain the form and use of tenses, but they can feel abstract and disconnected from authentic communication. One effective way to make grammar more engaging and easier to understand is by using film and media. Movies offer practical examples of spoken English and can be particularly useful in demonstrating grammatical tenses in action. This article focuses on two foundational tenses in English: the simple present and the present continuous. It also explores how movie scenes and quotes can serve as valuable tools in illustrating their use.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Simple Present Tense<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><b>simple present tense<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is used to describe habits, general truths, and permanent situations. It is also occasionally used for scheduled future events. As noted by EF Education First, the simple present tense follows this consistent structure:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Structure<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Subject + base verb (add \u201c-s\u201d or \u201c-es\u201d for third-person singular)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I walk to school.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">She walks to school.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Usage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Habits and routines:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cHe drinks coffee every morning.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">General truths:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cWater boils at 100 degrees Celsius.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Permanent situations:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cShe lives in London.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Scheduled events (future meaning):<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cThe train leaves at 8 o\u2019clock.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Common time expressions for this tense include \u201calways,\u201d \u201cusually,\u201d \u201cevery day,\u201d \u201con weekends,\u201d and \u201cin the morning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Present Continuous Tense<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><b>present continuous tense<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is used to describe actions happening at the moment of speaking, temporary events, trends or changes, and repeated actions that the speaker finds annoying. According to the British Council, this tense is formed as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Structure<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Subject + am\/is\/are + verb + \u201c-ing\u201d<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I am working.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">She is working.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">They are working.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Usage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Actions happening right now:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cShe is watching TV at the moment.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Temporary situations:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cI am staying with my cousin this week.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Trends or changes:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cMore people are working from home.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Annoying repeated actions (with \u2018always\u2019):<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cHe is always losing his keys.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Time expressions commonly used with this tense include \u201cnow,\u201d \u201cat the moment,\u201d \u201ccurrently,\u201d and \u201cthese days.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><br \/>\n<\/b><\/p>\n<h3><b>Let\u2019s See Some Examples from Movies!<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Using movies to teach grammar allows learners to observe how these tenses are naturally used in conversation. This creates a meaningful context, making it easier for students to remember and apply what they learn. Below are a few examples from well-known films that illustrate both tenses effectively.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Simple Present Tense in Movies<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cI see dead people.\u201d (<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Sixth Sense<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, 1999) &#8211; A statement of fact.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cLife is like a box of chocolates.\u201d (<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Forrest Gump<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, 1994) &#8211; A general truth.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cEverything the light touches is our kingdom.\u201d (<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Lion King<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, 1994) &#8211; A declaration about the natural world.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cThe Force is what gives a Jedi his power.\u201d (<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Star Wars: A New Hope<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, 1977) &#8211; An explanation of a general principle.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Present Continuous Tense in Movies<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cI am walking here!\u201d (<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Midnight Cowboy<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, 1969) &#8211; An action occurring at the moment of speaking.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cI am trying to control my web-shooters.\u201d (<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Spider-Man<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, 2002) &#8211; A temporary, ongoing action.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cThe other students are coming aboard the train right now.\u201d (<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Harry Potter and the Sorcerer\u2019s Stone<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, 2001) &#8211; An event currently in progress.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cI am running and running, and people are following me from all over.\u201d (<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Forrest Gump<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, 1994) &#8211; A series of continuous actions.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Through these examples, learners can observe how the grammar functions in emotionally and visually memorable contexts. The integration of grammar and storytelling reinforces understanding and encourages learners to think in English rather than translating from their first language. Instructors can use movie clips for listening practice, writing exercises, and speaking activities that require students to identify tenses and use them in new contexts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In conclusion, learning the simple present and present continuous tenses is essential for communicating clearly in English. While grammar instruction provides the rules, movies provide the application. By combining both approaches, students can develop a deeper and more practical command of the language.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>References<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">British Council. (n.d.). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Present continuous<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. British Council. Retrieved May 27, 2025, from<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/learnenglish.britishcouncil.org\/grammar\/english-grammar-reference\/present-continuous\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/learnenglish.britishcouncil.org\/grammar\/english-grammar-reference\/present-continuous<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">EF Education First. (n.d.). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Simple present tense in English<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. EF. Retrieved May 27, 2025, from<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ef.com\/wwen\/english-resources\/english-grammar\/simple-present-tense\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/www.ef.com\/wwen\/english-resources\/english-grammar\/simple-present-tense\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>English learners often struggle to absorb grammar rules when they are taught in isolation from real-life contexts. Traditional textbooks and grammar exercises may explain the form and use of tenses, but they can feel abstract and disconnected from authentic communication. One effective way to make grammar more engaging and easier to understand is by using [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":7105,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7104","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/student-activity.binus.ac.id\/bnec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7104","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/student-activity.binus.ac.id\/bnec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/student-activity.binus.ac.id\/bnec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/student-activity.binus.ac.id\/bnec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/student-activity.binus.ac.id\/bnec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7104"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/student-activity.binus.ac.id\/bnec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7104\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7140,"href":"https:\/\/student-activity.binus.ac.id\/bnec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7104\/revisions\/7140"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/student-activity.binus.ac.id\/bnec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7105"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/student-activity.binus.ac.id\/bnec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7104"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/student-activity.binus.ac.id\/bnec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7104"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/student-activity.binus.ac.id\/bnec\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7104"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}