Grammar

Present Simple vs Present Continuous

Use the present simple for habits, routines, and permanent facts; use the present continuous for actions happening now or around the present moment. Stative verbs like 'know' or 'want' stay in the simple form.

Post

Level A2 Tenses

Summary

Use the present simple for habits, routines, and permanent facts; use the present continuous for actions happening now or around the present moment. Stative verbs like 'know' or 'want' stay in the simple form.

Structure

simple: subject + verb(s) | continuous: subject + be + verb-ing

Examples

I usually walk to work.
Look — it's snowing right now.
She works in a bank.
They are studying for their exams this week.

Common mistakes

• Using the continuous for routines, e.g. 'I am going to school every day' instead of 'I go'.
• Putting stative verbs in continuous, e.g. 'I am knowing the answer' instead of 'I know'.

Related

Adverbs of Frequency Have Got

More tenses

Present Simple A1

Use the present simple for facts, habits, routines, and things that are generally true. Add -s/-es to the verb with he, she, and it.

Present Continuous A1

Use the present continuous for actions happening now, around the present time, or for temporary situations. It is also used for fixed future arrangements.

Use the past simple for completed actions at a definite time in the past. Regular verbs add -ed; many common verbs are irregular.

Future with 'Going To' A2

Use 'going to' for plans and intentions decided before now, and for predictions based on present evidence.

Future with 'Will' A2

Use 'will' for predictions, instant decisions made at the moment of speaking, promises, and offers.

Past Continuous B1

Use the past continuous for an action in progress at a moment in the past, often interrupted by a shorter past simple action, or for two parallel ongoing actions.

External links

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