Practice
Present simple and present continuous: routines and actions now
Sign in to saveRavi takes the bus to work, but today he is walking. The two forms use the same verb differently. The first names his normal routine, and the second describes today.
Choose the present simple for routines and general facts, and the present continuous for actions happening now or temporary situations.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
She usually works here, but she is working at home this week. /ʃiː ˈjuːʒuəli wɜːks hɪə, bət ʃiː ɪz ˈwɜːkɪŋ æt həʊm ðɪs wiːk/
The short answer
Use the present simple for routines and general facts. Use am, is, or are plus a verb ending in -ing for an action in progress now or a temporary situation.
Nora checks the train time every morning.
Why it works: Every morning describes Nora's routine, so checks is present simple.
4 more examples
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The cafe opens at seven on weekdays.
This is the cafe's normal timetable, so opens is present simple.
Not this:The cafe
is opening laterthis week. What changes: This week describes a temporary change to the usual timetable. -
I usually cook dinner at home.
Usually tells us about a normal habit.
Not this:I
am cookingdinner at my sister's house this week. What changes: This week limits the arrangement, so it is temporary. -
The children play in the park after school.
After school describes the children's regular activity.
Not this:The children
are playingin the park at the moment. What changes: At the moment shows the activity in progress. -
Mina works in the library.
This gives Mina's usual work situation.
Not this:Mina
is workingfrom home this month. What changes: This month describes a temporary work arrangement.
Read the full guide
Start with the meaning, then build the verb. A routine such as a daily journey usually takes the present simple. An action you can see happening now usually takes am, is, or are plus the -ing form.
Start with the time meaning
Ask one question before you choose a tense: is this usual, or is it happening around now? The present simple describes a pattern or a fact. The present continuous describes an action in progress or a temporary situation.
Ravi takes the bus to work.
This names Ravi's normal journey.
Ravi is walking to work today.
Today makes this journey different from the normal routine.
Which sentence describes a usual journey?
Ravi takes the bus to work describes the usual journey.
Use the present simple for routines and facts
Use the present simple for actions that happen regularly, regular schedules, and facts. With I, you, we, and they, use the base verb. With he, she, it, or one singular noun, use the form with -s or -es.
Nora checks the train time every morning.
Nora is one person, so check becomes checks. Every morning shows a routine.
The cafe opens at seven on weekdays.
Opening time is a regular schedule, so the present simple is natural.
Choose the form: My brother walk or My brother walks to class every day?
My brother walks to class every day. My brother is singular, so walk takes -s.
Build the present continuous
Make the present continuous with am, is, or are and a verb ending in -ing. Choose am with I, is with he, she, it, and a singular noun, and are with you, we, they, and plural nouns.
Nora is checking the train time now.
Is plus checking makes the present continuous form.
We are waiting near the entrance.
Are agrees with we, and waiting names the activity in progress.
Complete the sentence: They ___ lunch now. (make)
They are making lunch now. Use are plus making.
Describe actions happening now
Use the present continuous when you focus on an action at this moment. Words such as now, right now, and at the moment often help, but the situation is the main clue.
The children are playing in the park at the moment.
At the moment tells us that the play is in progress.
I am writing an email right now.
Right now focuses on the action during this time.
Which form fits now: She reads a report or She is reading a report?
She is reading a report. Now points to an action in progress.
Use the present continuous for temporary situations
The present continuous can also describe a situation that is temporary, even when the action is not happening at this exact second. Phrases such as this week, these days, and this month can show that the situation has a limited time.
Mina is working from home this month.
This month shows that the work arrangement is temporary.
The cafe is opening later this week.
The later opening time is a change from the usual timetable.
What does this week tell you in I am cooking at my sister's house this week?
It tells you that the arrangement is temporary.
Compare the two forms in context
The same verb can appear in both forms because the meaning changes. The present simple tells you what is normal. The present continuous tells you what is happening now or for a limited period.
I usually cook dinner at home.
Usually describes the normal habit.
I am cooking dinner at my sister's house this week.
This week changes the focus to a temporary arrangement.
For state meanings such as know, like, and want, use the present simple in ordinary sentences: I know the address and We want a table near the window.
Before you go
Remember this
Use the present simple for what is regular or generally true. Use the present continuous for what is happening now or for a temporary situation. Check the time meaning first, then choose either a simple present verb or am, is, or are plus -ing.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Present simple and present continuous: routines and actions now"
When do I use the present simple?
Use the present simple for a routine, a regular schedule, or a general fact. Nora checks the train time every morning describes a repeated habit, while The cafe opens at seven on weekdays gives its normal timetable.
Nora checks the train time every morning.
When do I use the present continuous?
Use the present continuous for an action in progress now or for a temporary situation. Nora is checking the train time now focuses on the current action. Mina is working from home this month describes an arrangement with a limited time.
Nora is checking the train time now.
How do I make the present continuous?
Use am, is, or are with a verb ending in -ing. Say I am waiting, Nora is checking, and the children are playing. Choose the form of be that agrees with the subject before you add the -ing verb.
The cafe opens at seven on weekdays.
Can the same verb use both tenses?
Yes. I usually cook dinner at home describes a normal habit. I am cooking dinner at my sister's house this week describes a temporary arrangement. The verb cook stays the same, but the time meaning changes the tense.
The cafe is opening later this week.
Do time words always decide the tense?
Time words give useful clues, but you still need to check the meaning. Every morning often points to a routine, while now often points to an action in progress. This week can describe a temporary situation, as in the cafe is opening later this week.
I usually cook dinner at home.