Present Simple Vs Present Continuous Tense - Usages, forms and practices

Present Simple usages and forms

Present Continuous and Present Simple are pretty frequent when we communicate in our daily life but some learners find them confusing which mean that don't know when to use simple past and when to use present continuous or present progressive. Now, let's me share with you some easy tips to differentiate between these two tenses. 

Present Simple

Use : Present Simple is basically use to talk about habits or routines, facts and schedules.

Forms

Positive : Sub ( I, you, we, they) + base verb + ........

Negative : I, you , we, they + don't + base verb .......

Yes/No : Do + I, you, we, they + base verb....?

Wh- qhestion: Wh-word + do + I, you, we, they + base verb? 

Positive : Sub (he, she, it) + V-s,-es,-ies  + ........

Negative : He,  she, it  + doesn't + base verb .......

Yes/No : Does + he, she, it + base verb....?

Wh- qhestion: Wh-word + does + he, she, it + base verb? 

Example

Habits or routines

1. I usually go to bet at 11.

2. My mom waters the plants every morning.

3. My brother always does his homework before he goes to bed.

4. My dad often does exercise in the evening. 

5. They sometimes go fishing at the sea.

Facts

• The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
• Water freezes at 0 degree Celsius.
• Fishes live in water.
• Lions and tigers are carnivores. 

Schedules

• The movie starts at 2 pm tomorrow.
• My English class begins at 8 tomorrow morning.
• The bus arrives at 7.
• The supermarket opens at 9 am and closes at 9 PM.

Present Continuous usages, forms and examples

Present Continuous 

Use : Present Continuous is used to talk about action happening now and future plans that have already been made. 

Form

Positive : Sub + am/is/are + V-ing ..........

Negative : Sub + am/is/are/ + not + V -ing ....

Yes/No : Am/is/are + sub + V-ing...?

Wh-Question : Wh-word + am/is/are + V-ing...?

Action happening at the time of speaking

• I am teaching the students right now.
• People are traveling on the street now.
• We are studying in the class at the moment. 

Future plans that have been made

• I am visiting my hometown next week.
• They are getting married next year.
• My dad is buying a new car tomorrow. 

Present Simple Vs Present Continuous Exercise

📝 Gap-Filling Practice

1. She usually __________ (go) to school at 7 a.m.
2. Look! The baby __________ (cry) now.
3. They __________ (play) soccer every Sunday.
4. I __________ (study) English at the moment.
5. My father __________ (work) in a bank.
6. We __________ (watch) a movie right now.
7. The sun __________ (rise) in the east.
8. Listen! Someone __________ (knock) at the door.
9. She __________ (not / like) spicy food.
10. They __________ (have) dinner now.

Present Simple & Present Continuous — 20 Multiple Choice Questions

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Tip: Present Simple = habits/facts/schedules • Present Continuous = happening now / future plan