Hi there!
In this post we are going back to basics as we review the fundamentals of the present simple and the present continuous. By understanding when and how they are used, you’ll be able to use the present simple and present continuous with confidence.
Enjoy!
Understanding Present Tenses: A Guide
1. The Present Simple: Habits, Facts, and Routines
The present simple is used for actions that happen regularly, for facts that are always true, and for scheduled events.
1.1. Habits and Routines:
- Definition: Actions that are repeated regularly.
- Keywords: Usually, always, often, sometimes, rarely, never, every (day, week, month, year), on (Mondays, weekends).
- Examples:
- “I drink coffee every morning.”
- “She goes to the gym twice a week.”
- “They watch TV in the evenings.”
- “He plays football on Saturdays.”
1.2. Facts and General Truths:
- Definition: Things that are always true or generally accepted.
- Examples:
- “The sun rises in the east.”
- “Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.”
- “Dogs have four legs.”
- “The Earth revolves around the sun.”
1.3. Scheduled Events:
- Definition: Events that are scheduled for the future, often with timetables.
- Examples:
- “The train leaves at 9:00 AM.”
- “The flight departs on Tuesday 8th.”
- “The concert starts at 8:00 PM.”
- “My English class begins at 10am.”
2. The Present Continuous: Actions Happening Now and Temporary Situations
The present continuous is used for actions that are happening at the moment of speaking, for temporary situations, and for planned future actions.
2.1. Actions Happening Now:
- Definition: Actions that are in progress at the time of speaking.
- Keywords: Now, at the moment, right now, today (when referring to the current period).
- Examples:
- “I am writing an email right now.”
- “She is talking on the phone at the moment.”
- “They are watching a movie now.”
- “He is eating his lunch.”
2.2. Temporary Situations:
- Definition: Situations that are temporary and not permanent.
- Examples:
- “I am staying at a hotel this week.”
- “She is working on a special project these days.”
- “They are living in London for a few months.”
- “He is studying for his exams.”
2.3. Planned Future Actions:
- Definition: Definite plans for the near future, often with a specific time or place.
- Examples:
- “I am meeting my friend for dinner tonight.”
- “She is flying to Paris tomorrow.”
- “They are having a party next weekend.”
- “He is visiting his parents next sunday.”
3. Stative Verbs: When You Can’t Use the Present Continuous
Stative verbs describe states, not actions. They are generally not used in the present continuous tense.
3.1. Common Stative Verbs:
- Verbs of thinking: know, believe, understand, remember, forget, think (when it means “believe”), realize.
- Verbs of emotions: love, hate, like, dislike, want, prefer, need.
- Verbs of possession: have, own, possess, belong.
- Verbs of senses: see, hear, smell, taste, feel (when it means “perceive”).
- Other verbs: seem, appear, cost, be.
3.2. Examples:
- “I know the answer.” (Not “I am knowing”)
- “She likes chocolate.” (Not “She is liking”)
- “They have a car.” (Not “They are having”)
- “It smells good.” (Not “It is smelling”)
- “I believe you.” (Not “I am believing”)
3.3. Exceptions:
- Some stative verbs can be used in the continuous form when they describe an action rather than a state.
- “I am thinking about my vacation.” (Thinking as an action of considering)
- “She is having a party.” (Having as an action of organizing)
- “He is seeing a doctor.” (Seeing as an action of visiting)
- “The chef is tasting the soup.” (Tasting as the action of sampling)
4. Key Differences Summarized:
- Present Simple:
- Habits, routines, general truths, scheduled events.
- Often uses adverbs of frequency.
- Present Continuous:
- Actions happening now, temporary situations, planned future actions.
- Often uses time expressions like “now,” “at the moment,” “today,” “tomorrow.”
- Stative verbs are generally not used in the continuous.
How to form the present simple and the present continuous
1.1. Present Simple Formation:
- Affirmative:
- I/You/We/They + base form of the verb
- He/She/It + base form of the verb + -s/-es
- Negative:
- I/You/We/They + do not (don’t) + base form of the verb
- He/She/It + does not (doesn’t) + base form of the verb
- Interrogative:
- Do + I/You/We/They + base form of the verb?
- Does + He/She/It + base form of the verb?
- Examples:
- Affirmative: “I drink coffee.” “She drinks coffee.”
- Negative: “I don’t drink coffee.” “She doesn’t drink coffee.”
- Interrogative: “Do you drink coffee?” “Does she drink coffee?”
1.1. Present Continuous Formation:
- Affirmative:
- Subject + am/is/are + verb + -ing
- Negative:
- Subject + am/is/are + not + verb + -ing
- Interrogative:
- Am/Is/Are + subject + verb + -ing?
- Examples:
- Affirmative: “I am writing.” “She is writing.” “They are writing.”
- Negative: “I am not writing.” “She isn’t writing.” “They aren’t writing.”
- Interrogative: “Are you writing?” “Is she writing?” “Are they writing?”
Common Mistakes with the present simple and the present continuous
- 1. Using the Present Continuous with Stative Verbs:
- ❌Incorrect: “I am wanting a new car.”
- ✅ Correct: “I want a new car.”
- Explanation: “Want” is a stative verb expressing a desire, not an action in progress.
- 2. Confusing Habits with Actions Happening Now:
- ❌ Incorrect: “I am drinking coffee every morning.”
- ✅ Correct: “I drink coffee every morning.”
- Explanation: “Every morning” indicates a habit, which requires the present simple.
- ❌ Incorrect: “I drink coffee right now.”
- ✅ Correct: “I am drinking coffee right now.”
- Explanation: “Right now” indicates an action in progress, which requires the present continuous.
- 3. Incorrect Formation of the Present Simple (Third Person Singular):
- ❌ Incorrect: “She go to school.”
- ✅ Correct: “She goes to school.”
- Explanation: The third-person singular (he/she/it) requires the -s/-es ending in the present simple.
- 4. Incorrect Formation of the Present Continuous:
- ❌ Incorrect: “He writing a letter.”
- ✅ Correct: “He is writing a letter.”
- Explanation: The present continuous requires the auxiliary verb “am/is/are” + verb + -ing.
- ❌ Incorrect: “They are go to the store.”
- ✅ Correct: “They are going to the store.”
- 5. Overusing the Present Continuous for Future Plans:
- While the present continuous can express future plans, it’s generally used for definite, near-future arrangements. Using “going to” is often more natural for general intentions.
- Less Natural: “I am buying a car next year.”
- ✅ More Natural: “I am going to buy a car next year.”
- 6. Forgetting “do/does” in Present Simple Questions and Negatives:
- ❌ Incorrect: “You like pizza?”
- ✅ Correct: “Do you like pizza?”
- ❌ Incorrect: “He not like pizza.”
- ✅ Correct: “He does not like pizza.” or “He doesn’t like pizza.”
Your turn! Put your knowledge into practice
To solidify your understanding of the present simple and present continuous, complete the following sentences about yourself.
Write your answers in the comments below.
- Present Simple: Write 3 facts about yourself.
- (Example: I’m from Berlin, I love reading and I have a cat called Franz.)
- Present Simple Negative: Write 1 thing you dislike and 1 thing you don’t do.
- (Example: I don’t like doing the dishes and I don’t sing very well.)
- Present Continuous (for a temporary situation): Write about something that is a temporary situation – something that you don’t normally do.
- (Example: This month I’m busier than normal. I’m working on the Zurich project because my colleague is on maternity leave.
Write your phrases in the comments 👇
Recommended Practice
Online English course, blog posts and websites with practice exercises:
- Workplace English Confidence – Intermediate Online Course
If you’re ready to use and practise this grammar, improve your general English skills and apply them to real-world professional situations, this course is for you.
Workplace English Confidence focuses on building the skills you need to communicate effectively in an English-speaking work environment.
Learn to make strong first impressions, chat confidently with colleagues, write professional emails, and excel in online meetings. - British Council LearnEnglish:
- They offer a wide range of grammar exercises, including those for present tenses.
- Search for “present simple present continuous exercises” on their site.
- They often have interactive exercises and printable worksheets.
- British Council LearnEnglish
- English Grammar Exercises (GrammarBank):
- This website provides numerous free grammar exercises, often with answer keys.
- They have dedicated sections for present simple and present continuous exercises.
- English Grammar Exercises (GrammarBank)
- Perfect English Grammar:
- Seonaid’s site is very popular and has clear explanations and ample exercises.
- You’ll find interactive quizzes and printable worksheets.
- Perfect English Grammar
- Agenda Web:
- this site has a very large amount of online interactive exercises.
- They are categorized by subject, and level.
- Agenda Web
- ESL Games Plus:
- For those who prefer a more engaging approach, this site offers games and interactive activities to practice present tenses.
- ESL Games Plus
Tips for Using These Resources:
- Start with the basics: If you’re a beginner, begin with exercises that focus on the formation of the tenses.
- Mix and match: Practise exercises that require you to choose between the present simple and present continuous to test your understanding of the differences.
- Check your answers: Always use resources with answer keys to identify and correct your mistakes.
- Practise regularly: Consistent practice is key to mastering these tenses.
Relevant courses
