Present Simple Vs Present Continuous

📘 Grammar Focus: Present Simple vs Present Continuous

This unit explains the form, meaning, use, signal words, and exceptions of both tenses, with comparison tables and example sentences.

🔧 FORM

Tense	Structure	Example
Present Simple	Subject + base verb (s/es for he/she/it)	She works in a bank.
Present Continuous	Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing	He is working on a report.

Spelling Notes: run → running, make → making, lie → lying

📙 MEANING AND USE

✅ Present Simple

Habits and routines: I brush my teeth twice a day.
General truths: Water boils at 100°C.
Permanent situations: They live in Tokyo.
Schedules/timetables: The train leaves at 6:30.

🔄 Present Continuous

Actions happening now: She is watching TV at the moment.
Temporary actions: I’m staying with a friend this week.
Changing situations: The weather is getting colder.
Planned future events: We are meeting them tomorrow.

🧭 COMPARISON TABLE

Situation	Present Simple	Present Continuous
Habit / routine	He goes to work by bus.	✘
Now / at the moment	✘	She is working now.
Permanent situation	They live in London.	✘
Temporary situation	✘	I’m living with my sister these days.
General truth / fact	Water freezes at 0°C.	✘
Future plan	✘	I’m flying to Paris next Friday.
Annoying repeated actions	✘	He’s always losing his keys!

🕰️ SIGNAL WORDS

Present Simple	Present Continuous
always, usually, often	now, at the moment, right now
every day, every week	currently, this week/month
sometimes, never	today, tonight, nowadays
on Mondays, in the morning	still, at present

⚠️ EXCEPTIONS: STATE VERBS

Some verbs are not normally used in the Present Continuous because they describe states, not actions.

Mental states: know, believe, remember, forget
Emotions: love, like, hate, prefer
Possession: have (own), belong, own
Senses: see, hear, smell, taste

 Compare:
 ✔ I think you're right. (opinion – Present Simple)
 ✔ I'm thinking about quitting. (mental process – Present Continuous)

📌 Summary Chart

Feature	Present Simple	Present Continuous
Form	V / V+s	am/is/are + V-ing
Time Reference	Habitual / Permanent	Now / Temporary
Typical Use	Facts, habits, schedules	Ongoing actions, changes, plans
Signal Words	always, usually, every day	now, at the moment, this week
Used with State Verbs	✅ Yes	⚠ Rarely

Present Simple Vs Present Continuous Quiz

🔍 Quiz 1: Fill in the correct present simple and present continuous forms of the verbs in brackets. (Type your answer)

1. She usually __________ (go) to school by bus.

2. I __________ (read) a great book at the moment.

3. They __________ (watch) TV every evening.

4. Look! The baby __________ (cry).

5. He __________ (not understand) the question.

🧠 Quiz 2: Fill in the blanks with correct forms of the verbs in the brackets.

1. I __________ (study) English now.

2. The sun __________ (rise) in the east.

3. My brother __________ (not eat) meat.

4. Listen! The birds __________ (sing).

5. This cake __________ (taste) delicious.