Joy English
Joy English

A2 Grammar

A2Present tenses12 min

Present simple or present continuous

Choose between the present simple for habits and facts and the present continuous for actions happening now.

English has two present tenses. The present simple is for habits, routines and facts that are always true. The present continuous (am / is / are + verb-ing) is for actions happening now or around now, and for temporary situations.

ItemPresent simplePresent continuous
Usehabits, routines, factsnow, around now, temporary situations
PositiveRavi works in an office.Ravi is working from home this week.
NegativeHe doesn't work on Sundays.He isn't working today.
QuestionDoes he work late?Is he working now?
Time wordsusually, every day, often, nevernow, at the moment, today, this week

State verbs

Some verbs describe states, not actions. We normally use them in the present simple, even when we mean now: like, love, hate, want, need, know, understand, remember, believe and own. Say I know the answer, not I am knowing the answer.

  • Aiko usually walks to school, but today she is taking the bus because it is raining.
  • Listen! Someone is playing the piano upstairs.
  • Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
  • I don't understand this question. Can you help me?
  • My cousin is staying with us until Friday.

Exercise 1 of 2

Choose the correct tense

Choose the present simple or the present continuous.

  1. Please be quiet. The baby _____.

  2. Kofi _____ football every Saturday morning.

  3. I _____ what you mean.

  4. Where's Mina? — She _____ a shower.

  5. The sun always _____ in the east.

  6. This week my parents _____ in Rome, so I am looking after their plants.

  7. _____ you usually cook dinner, or does your sister do it?

  8. My phone is very old. I _____ a new one.

0 of 8 answered

Exercise 2 of 2

Write the verb

Type the verb in the present simple or the present continuous. Use the words in brackets.

  1. Shh! Jamal (talk) on the phone.

  2. My grandmother (visit) us every summer.

  3. Sofia (not / like) spicy food.

  4. We (wait) for the bus at the moment.

  5. Lena (know) the way to the museum.

  6. (you / listen) to me? I'm asking you a question!

  7. My brother usually wears jeans, but today he (wear) a suit.

  8. I (not / watch) TV now. I'm doing my homework.

0 of 8 answered

Source

Original lesson by Joy English.

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