Syllabus topic 1: Present Simple vs Present Continuous
Present Simple vs Present Continuous. Use the present simple for habits and states; use the continuous for actions in progress and temporary arrangements.
The idea
Use the simple for regular events and the continuous for activities happening now or temporarily.
Structure & examples
Usually I walk, but today I am taking the bus.
She works at home, but she is working in a café today.
Notice the pattern
Words such as usually, every day and often suggest a routine. Look, listen, right now and at the moment often point to an action in progress. A temporary exception to a routine commonly takes the continuous, even if it lasts several days.
She usually drinks tea.
He is taking a break.
Important notes & common mistakes
Do not use a routine tense merely because the subject is I.
Before you practice
First choose a form from the options. Then produce it yourself using the word or structure in the instruction. Finally, build complete sentences. Check the explanation after each answer and revisit any mistakes in your review list.
Extended topic: Present Simple vs Present Continuous
Use the present simple for habits and states; use the continuous for actions in progress and temporary arrangements. Verbs such as know and belong normally remain simple. A temporary situation can last weeks, not only the moment of speaking.
Examples in context
Notice how each form fits its sentence. Read the context before choosing a form.
She normally takes the bus.
Please be quiet; I am trying to concentrate.
This bag belongs to me.
We are staying at a hotel this week while our flat is painted.
Water boils at 100°C at standard atmospheric pressure.
Your progress
Ready to move on?
Mark this lesson as studied when you have finished the explanation.
Use the simple for regular events and the continuous for activities happening now or temporarily.
Every winter, the lake ___.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: freezes
Completed sentence: Every winter, the lake freezes. Use the simple for regular events and the continuous for activities happening now or temporarily.
Please be quiet. The baby ___.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: is sleeping
Completed sentence: Please be quiet. The baby is sleeping. Use the simple for regular events and the continuous for activities happening now or temporarily.
Maya usually ___ the train.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: takes
Completed sentence: Maya usually takes the train. Use the simple for regular events and the continuous for activities happening now or temporarily.
Today we ___ from home for a change.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: are working
Completed sentence: Today we are working from home for a change. Use the simple for regular events and the continuous for activities happening now or temporarily.
Question 1 of 50% complete
Usually I walk, but today I ___ the bus.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: am taking
Use the simple for regular events and the continuous for activities happening now or temporarily.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: freezes
Completed sentence: Every winter, the lake freezes. Use the simple for regular events and the continuous for activities happening now or temporarily.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: is sleeping
Completed sentence: Please be quiet. The baby is sleeping. Use the simple for regular events and the continuous for activities happening now or temporarily.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: takes
Completed sentence: Maya usually takes the train. Use the simple for regular events and the continuous for activities happening now or temporarily.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: are working
Completed sentence: Today we are working from home for a change. Use the simple for regular events and the continuous for activities happening now or temporarily.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: plays
Completed sentence: Use play: He plays chess every Sunday. Use the simple for regular events and the continuous for activities happening now or temporarily.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: are playing
Completed sentence: Use play: Look! They are playing in the snow. Use the simple for regular events and the continuous for activities happening now or temporarily.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: live
Completed sentence: Use live: My grandparents live near the sea. Use the simple for regular events and the continuous for activities happening now or temporarily.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: am wearing
Completed sentence: Use wear: Today I am wearing my new coat. Use the simple for regular events and the continuous for activities happening now or temporarily.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: boils
Completed sentence: Use boil: Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius at sea level. Use the simple for regular events and the continuous for activities happening now or temporarily.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: She works at home, but she is working in a café today
Use the simple for regular events and the continuous for activities happening now or temporarily. Do not use a routine tense merely because the subject is I.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: She usually drinks tea
She usually drinks tea. Use the simple for regular events and the continuous for activities happening now or temporarily. Do not use a routine tense merely because the subject is I.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: He is taking a break
He is taking a break. Use the simple for regular events and the continuous for activities happening now or temporarily. Do not use a routine tense merely because the subject is I.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Do you work on Saturdays
Do you work on Saturdays? Use the simple for regular events and the continuous for activities happening now or temporarily. Do not use a routine tense merely because the subject is I.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: They are staying with friends
They are staying with friends. Use the simple for regular events and the continuous for activities happening now or temporarily. Do not use a routine tense merely because the subject is I.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: takes
Completed sentence: She normally takes the bus. Use the present simple for habits and states; use the continuous for actions in progress and temporary arrangements. Verbs such as know and belong normally remain simple. A temporary situation can last weeks, not only the moment of speaking.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: am trying
Completed sentence: Please be quiet; I am trying to concentrate. Use the present simple for habits and states; use the continuous for actions in progress and temporary arrangements. Verbs such as know and belong normally remain simple. A temporary situation can last weeks, not only the moment of speaking.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: belongs
Completed sentence: This bag belongs to me. Use the present simple for habits and states; use the continuous for actions in progress and temporary arrangements. Verbs such as know and belong normally remain simple. A temporary situation can last weeks, not only the moment of speaking.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: are staying
Completed sentence: We are staying at a hotel this week while our flat is painted. Use the present simple for habits and states; use the continuous for actions in progress and temporary arrangements. Verbs such as know and belong normally remain simple. A temporary situation can last weeks, not only the moment of speaking.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: boils
Completed sentence: Water boils at 100°C at standard atmospheric pressure. Use the present simple for habits and states; use the continuous for actions in progress and temporary arrangements. Verbs such as know and belong normally remain simple. A temporary situation can last weeks, not only the moment of speaking.
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