Tenses in English have their own rules and their own subtleties. Here we are going to see the difference between Present Simple and Present Continuous.
A Video Summary About Present Simple vs. Present Continuous in English
A few explanations about Present Simple vs. Present Continuous
Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3
A Video Summary About the difference between Present Simple and Present Continuous
A few explanation about Present Simple vs. Present Continuous
The present simple and present continuous tenses are some of the first tenses that students learn when they start English lessons.
Present Simple
Uses
Talking about habitual actions/routines – The library opens every day at 9am.
Talking about permanent situations – She is Mexican and lives in Guadalajara.
Talking about facts – Water contains both hydrogen and oxygen.
Referring to scheduled events in the future, which is part of a timetable. – I have a meeting tomorrow at 6am.
Retelling a story or the plot of a movie – The movie is about this evil man that wants to take over the world.
Form
Affirmative – SUBJECT + PRESENT SIMPLE VERB FORM
Negative – SUBJECT + DO/DOES + NOT + BASE VERB FORM
Interrogative – (Qword) + DO/DOES + SUBJECT + BASE VERB FORM + COMPLEMENT
Present Continuous
Uses
To refer to things happening at the moment of speaking – We are having dinner at the moment. Can I call you back?
To talk about temporary situations – We are repainting the house this month.
To talk about temporary, or new habits or routines. – I am reading a new book.
To talk about things that are slowly changing. – Global temperatures are rising.
To talk about annoying habits – He is always interrupting the manager during our team meetings.
Form
Affirmative – SUBJECT + BE + VERB+ING
Negative – SUBJECT + BE + NOT + VERB+ING
Interrogative – (Qword) + BE + SUBJECT + VERB+ING + COMPLEMENT
Common mistakes
1. Using the wrong auxiliary verb when forming questions and negative sentences.
I don’t going to the party tonight.
2. Forgetting to use the verb BE in affirmative present continuous tenses.
I eating my salad now.
3. Using present continuous with a stative verb.
Your perfume is smelling very nice.
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Exercises about Present Simple vs. Present Continuous
Exercise 1 Match the uses to the correct tense.
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Exercise 2 Reorganise the words to form correct sentences in the present simple or present continuous.
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Exercise 3 Decide if the following sentences are CORRECT or INCORRECT.
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