Present continuous vs present simple
The present simple
The present simple is used to talk about general truths and repeated actions (habits). Look at the chart below to see how the present simple is formed, and pay close attention to the subject and which form of the verb ‘is being used with it.
Subject + base verb
Subject + base verb + s/es
***
I/you/we/they + know the answer
he/she/it + know(s) the answer
***
I/you/we/they + dance very well
he/she/it + danc(es) very well
Example
“Beyonce is a pop icon”. (General truth)
“I go to the gym in my free time”. (Repeated action / habit)
“I meet with a private English tutor once or twice a week”. (Repeated action / habit)
#. It's also used for instructions.
Example
“Take a break at 12pm for I hour”.
“Meet me at 2pm”.
“Please Don’t forget to wash your hands after using the bathroom”.
#. And it is used for future plans that are fixed.
Example
“My plane leaves at 6pm”.
Present continuous
We use the present continuous to talk about something that's happening right now. Look at the chart below to see how the present continuous is formed, and pay close attention to the subject and which form of the verb ‘to be’ is being used with it.
Subject + am/is/are + -ing
***
I am eating
he/she/it is eating
we/you/they are eating
#. We also use the present continuous to talk about a newly formed habit (something that you have just started doing).
Example
“I'm eating a lot these days”. – Meaning I didn't used to eat a lot, but now I am.
#. And we use the present continuous to talk about future plans. But here we need to use a ‘time word / phrase’.
Example
“I'm leaving tomorrow at 6pm”. (Time word – ‘tomorrow’)
“I’m going to the cinema this evening with friends”. (Time phrase – ‘this evening’)
“Next week I’m starting a new job”. (Time phrase – ‘next week’)
“I’m going tonight”. (Time word – tonight)
Time Words / phrases
Those are words and phrases that explain when something will happen.
Example time words and phrases
Today
Tomorrow
Yesterday
This evening
This year
Tonight
Next year
Next month
Next week
That’s all you really need to know. These are the main differences between the present simple and the present continuous.
Exercise: present simple
Read the text below and correct any errors you find.
I usually wakes up at 7am. I brush take a quick shower, brushes my teeth, eat my breakfast and take the subway to school. My family have a different schedule. My mother wake up at 6am, prepares breakfast, and wish me a good day. My father starts work at 6am so he has to makes his own breakfast and leave quietly so he doesn’t wake anyone up. At the end of the day, we all sits down together for a family meal and to talks about our day. I love my family. They is great.
Exercise: present continuous
Read the text below and correct any errors you find.
Tomorrow I is going on holiday. My flight am leaving at 6pm. This evening I am go to see my friends because I won’t be able to see them for a while after that. I am start my new job next month and I’m go to be very busy, which reminds me… Tom is always biting his nails. When I see him tomorrow, I need to tell him to stop doing that.
Additional exercises
#. List three situations in which the present simple is used.
#. List three situations in which the present continuous is used.
#. Write a few sentences, a short paragraph or even a short story of your own using the present continuous and the present simple. you can use other tenses too, but pay close attention to the present continuous and the present simple only.
