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GrammarHub

B1 Intermediate
B1 grammar contents
B1Present tenses

Present simple or present continuous

Choose between stable routines and states, and temporary, changing or currently developing situations.

Overview

What this grammar does

Choose between stable routines and states, and temporary, changing or currently developing situations.

Form and rules

How it works

1

Use the present simple for routines, permanent situations, facts and most state verbs.

2

Use the present continuous for actions happening now, temporary situations and developing changes.

3

Repeated behavior with always + present continuous can express annoyance: He's always losing his keys.

4

Some verbs change meaning: I think you're right describes an opinion; I'm thinking about moving describes an active process.

5

Choose the tense from meaning, not only from time expressions; today can describe either a routine or a temporary action depending on context.

A closer look

Meaning and use

Some verbs change meaning: I think you're right describes an opinion; I'm thinking about moving describes an active process.

Choose the tense from meaning, not only from time expressions; today can describe either a routine or a temporary action depending on context.

Examples

See the pattern in complete sentences

I work in finance, but I'm working from home this week.

The climate is getting warmer.

I think this plan is sensible.

I'm thinking about taking a course.

She's always interrupting me.

Common mistakes

What to avoid

My sister is working in a hospital, but this month she works at a clinic.
My sister works in a hospital, but this month she is working at a clinic.

The first situation is her normal job; the second is temporary this month.

Prices rises quickly at the moment.
Prices are rising quickly at the moment.

A developing change around now uses 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 Past simple or present perfect