when to use the Simple Present
- regular actions or routine (I always cycle in the weekends.)
signal words: always, every day, never, occasionally, often , on Tuesdays, seldom, sometimes , twice a week, usually - something is always true (The sun rises in the east.)
- a situation is more or less permanent (I work in a hotel.)
- describing an event at the moment of speaking (sports, theatrical or musical performance, etc.) (Boateng passes to Messi….. Messi to Dembélé ….)
when to use the Present Continuous
- something is happening now at this moment of speaking (the sun is shining at the moment)
- a situation is temporary, not necessarily occurring at the moment of speaking (I am reading a book by Hilary Mantel)
- expressing annoyance at a frequently repeated action (you are always leaving the lights on!)
NOTE: The continuous occurs only with verbs that indicate duration and describe activities that are deliberate. Verbs which are not normally used in the continuous are
- verbs of the senses (see, hear, feel, etc.)
- verbs expressing feelings and emotions (love, hate, fear, like, etc.)
- verbs expressing possession (own, possess, etc.)
- verbs expressing perception, remembrance, preference, knowledge (mean, know, believe, forget, understand, appreciate, etc.)
Exercises
Simple Present (I go) and Present Continuous / Progressive (I am going) (elementary)
- exercise 1: choose the correct verb form of the simple present or the present continuous
- exercise 2: fill in the correct verb form of the simple present or the present continuous
- exercise 3: fill in the correct verb form of the simple present or the present continuous
- exercise 4: various exercises practising the form and use of the simple present and the present continuous
- exercise 5: decide which sentence is in the simple present or present continuous
- exercise 6: various exercises practising the form and use of the simple present and the present continuous
- exercise 7: fill in the correct verb form of the simple present or the present continuous
- exercise 8: various exercises practising the form and use of the simple present and the present continuous
- exercise 9: fill in the correct verb form of the simple present and the present continuous
Simple Present (I go) and Present Continuous / Progressive (I am going) (intermediate)
- exercise 1: fill in the correct verb form of the simple present or the present continuous
- exercise 2: fill in the correct verb form of the simple present or the present continuous
- exercise 3: choose the simple present or the present continuous
- exercise 4: fill in the correct verb form of the simple present or the present continuous
- exercise 5: fill in the correct verb form of the simple present or the present continuous
- exercise 6: fill in the correct verb form of the simple present or the present continuous
- exercise 7: fill in the correct verb form of the simple present or the present continuous in affirmative sentences
- exercise 8: fill in the correct verb form of the simple present or the present continuous