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A2 Pre-intermediate
A2 grammar contents
A2Present tenses

Present simple vs present continuous

Choose the present simple for routines, facts and states, and the present continuous for actions happening now, temporary situations and changes.

Overview

What this grammar does

Choose the present simple for routines, facts and states, and the present continuous for actions happening now, temporary situations and changes.

Form and rules

How it works

1

Use the present simple for routines, repeated actions and facts: I work on Mondays.

2

Use the present continuous for actions happening now or around now: I am working at home today.

3

State verbs such as know, like, need and understand are normally not used in the continuous.

4

Time expressions help: usually and every day often signal simple; now and this week often signal continuous.

5

Use do/does for present-simple questions, but am/is/are for present-continuous questions.

A closer look

Meaning and use

Time expressions help: usually and every day often signal simple; now and this week often signal continuous.

Use do/does for present-simple questions, but am/is/are for present-continuous questions.

Examples

See the pattern in complete sentences

She usually walks to work.

Today she is taking the bus.

I don't understand this word.

Are they staying with you this week?

Does he play tennis on Fridays?

Common mistakes

What to avoid

My brother usually is eating lunch at home.
My brother usually eats lunch at home.

Usually describes a routine, so use the present simple with -s for he.

Be quiet. The baby sleeps.
Be quiet. The baby is sleeping.

The action is happening now, so use the present continuous.

Ready to practise?

The test combines multiple choice, gap completion, error correction, and sentence building so students have to recognise and produce the grammar, not simply reread the rule.

Next topic Present perfect: form and use