Practice
English practice: present simple and present continuous
Sign in to saveSam catches the number 18 bus every weekday, but today he is walking to work. The verb changes because the meaning changes: one sentence describes a routine and the other describes a situation for today.
Choose the present simple for routines and facts, and the present continuous for actions in progress 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 works here, but she is working from home this week. /ʃiː wɜːks hɪə, bət ʃiː ɪz ˈwɜːkɪŋ frəm həʊm ðɪs wiːk/
The short answer
Use the present simple for what usually happens or is generally true. Use am, is, or are plus a verb ending in -ing for what is happening now or for a temporary situation.
Rosa usually cycles to college, but she is taking the bus this week.
Why it works: Usually signals Rosa's normal habit; this week makes the bus journey temporary.
5 more examples
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Rosa usually cycles to college.
Usually shows a repeated habit, so Rosa uses the present simple.
Not this:Rosa
is takingthe bus to college this week. What changes: This week shows a temporary arrangement, so the present continuous fits. -
The bakery opens at seven every Saturday.
This sentence gives the bakery's regular timetable.
Not this:The bakery
is opening laterthis Saturday. What changes: This Saturday describes a one-time change to the normal timetable. -
I write a short journal entry after dinner.
After dinner describes the speaker's usual routine.
Not this:I
am writingan email to my landlord now. What changes: Now focuses on the email being written at this time. -
Mina works at the information desk.
This describes Mina's normal job.
Not this:Mina
is working from homewhile the office is repaired. What changes: The repair gives Mina a temporary work arrangement. -
We know the way to the sports center.
Know describes a state, so the present simple is usual here.
Not this:We
are lookingfor the entrance now. What changes: Looking is an action in progress, so it uses the present continuous.
Read the full guide
Find the time meaning first. A regular pattern usually needs the present simple. A current action or a limited arrangement needs the present continuous. Then check the subject: it affects the ending in the present simple and the choice of am, is, or are.
Decide whether the situation is usual or current
Start with meaning, not the verb ending. Ask whether the sentence describes something that happens regularly or something that is happening around now. A normal routine uses the present simple. A current action or a temporary arrangement uses the present continuous.
Sam catches the number 18 bus every weekday.
Every weekday describes Sam's normal travel pattern, so catches is present simple.
Sam is walking to work today.
Today makes this journey different from the usual pattern, so is walking fits.
Which sentence describes Sam's normal journey?
Sam catches the number 18 bus every weekday describes his normal journey.
Use the present simple for routines and facts
Use the present simple for habits, regular schedules, and facts. With I, you, we, and they, use the base verb. With he, she, it, or one singular noun, add -s or -es.
Rosa usually cycles to college.
Usually shows a habit, and Rosa is singular, so cycle becomes cycles.
The bakery opens at seven every Saturday.
A regular opening time is a schedule, so opens is present simple.
Choose the correct form: My neighbor walk or My neighbor walks to the station every morning?
My neighbor walks to the station every morning. My neighbor is singular, so the verb takes -s.
Build the present continuous with be and -ing
The present continuous has two parts: am, is, or are, followed by a verb ending in -ing. Use am with I, is with one person or thing, and are with you, we, they, and plural nouns.
I am writing an email now.
Am agrees with I, and writing names the action in progress.
The visitors are waiting near the entrance.
Visitors is plural, so the sentence uses are waiting.
Complete the sentence: My brother ___ making lunch. (make)
My brother is making lunch. Use is with one person and making for the action.
Describe an action happening now
Use the present continuous when you focus on an action in progress at the time of speaking. Now, right now, and at the moment often help you see this meaning, but the situation is the main clue.
The children are building a paper bridge at the moment.
At the moment shows that the building is in progress.
Why are you carrying an umbrella?
The question asks about the action the listener is doing now.
Which answer fits What are you doing?: I read a report or I am reading a report?
I am reading a report fits because the report is being read now.
Use the present continuous for a temporary arrangement
The present continuous can describe a temporary situation during a current period. The action does not need to happen in this exact second. Phrases such as this week, this month, and these days often show that the situation has a limited time.
Mina is working from home while the office is repaired.
The repair makes the work arrangement temporary.
The bakery is opening later this Saturday.
This Saturday names a change from the bakery's usual opening time.
Which form fits a short course this month: She takes a course or She is taking a course?
She is taking a course this month makes the temporary period clear.
Keep state verbs in the present simple
Some verbs usually describe a state rather than an action. Know, need, understand, and want normally use the present simple when they have their ordinary meanings. Do not use the continuous form only because the sentence refers to the present.
We know the way to the sports center.
Know describes what the speakers understand, so it stays in the present simple.
I need your phone number.
Need describes a current state, which normally takes the simple form.
Which sentence is usual: I am knowing the answer or I know the answer?
I know the answer is usual because know normally describes a state.
Before you go
Remember this
Use the present simple for routines, schedules, and facts. Use the present continuous for an action in progress or a temporary arrangement. Look for the time meaning, then build the verb with the correct subject form.
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 "English practice: present simple and present continuous"
When do I use the present simple?
Use the present simple for habits, regular schedules, and general facts. Rosa usually cycles to college describes a habit, and The bakery opens at seven every Saturday gives a regular timetable.
Rosa usually cycles to college.
When do I use the present continuous?
Use the present continuous for an action in progress or a temporary situation. I am writing an email to my landlord now focuses on a current action, while Mina is working from home while the office is repaired describes a temporary arrangement.
Rosa is taking the bus to college this week.
How do I form the present continuous?
Use am, is, or are followed by a verb ending in -ing. Say I am writing, Mina is working, and the visitors are waiting. Choose the form of be that agrees with the subject.
The bakery opens at seven every Saturday.
Can a timetable use the present continuous?
A normal timetable uses the present simple: The bakery opens at seven every Saturday. The present continuous can describe a short-term change: The bakery is opening later this Saturday.
The bakery is opening later this Saturday.
Why do know and need usually use the present simple?
Know and need usually describe states, so they normally take the present simple. We know the way to the sports center and I need your phone number describe what someone understands or requires now.
I write a short journal entry after dinner.