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PRESENT SIMPLE OR
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
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Present simple or present continuous » Page 2
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Exercises: 1 2 3
Present simple or
present continuous
Exercise 2
Choose the present simple or present
continuous for each gap below.
You have completed this test.
Correct answers: 4/10.
Your score is 40%.
Check your answers:
1 A: We ______ to the cinema tonight.
B: ______ to the cinema?
a. are going / Do you often
go
b. go / Do you often go
c. are going / Are you often going
➪ We use the present continuous to
talk about future arrangements, i.e.
future actions that are already planned
or decided (We are going).
➪ We use the present simple for
habits or situations that happen
regularly (Do you often go).
2 A: What time ______ this
afternoon? B: I don't know. We ______
tomorrow.
a. does the train leave / leave
b. does the train leave / are
leaving
c. is the train leaving /
leave
➪ We use the present simple to refer
to future events which are
timetabled (does the train leave).
➪ We use the present continuous to
talk about future arrangements, i.e.
future actions that are already planned
or decided (We are leaving).
3 A: ______ ? B: Yes, but I ______ to
quit.
a. Are you smoking / try
b. Do you smoke / try
c. Do you smoke / 'm trying
➪ We use the present simple for
permanent situations or things that
are usually or often true (Do you
smoke?).
➪ We use the present progressive to
talk about temporary situations that
are going on now or 'around now' (I'm
trying).
4 A: I ______ on holiday two or three
times a year. B: That's great! And
where______ this year?
a. go / do you go
b. 'm going / do you go
c. go / are you going
➪ We use the present simple to talk
about habits or situations that
happen regularly (I go).
➪ We use the present continuous to
talk about future arrangements, i.e.
future actions that are already planned
or decided (are you going).
5 I think it's better to stay. It ______ and
we ______ an umbrella.
a. 's raining / don't have
b. rains / don't have
c. 's raining / aren't having
➪ We use the present progressive to
talk about temporary situations that
are going on now or ‘around now’ (it's
raining).
➪ We use the present simple and not
progressive with stative or non-action
verbs (we don't have). Have is a non-
action verb when it means 'own',
'possess'.
6 A: Children ______ more and more
dependent to mobile phones. B: Yes,
they ______ their imagination anymore.
a. become / aren't using
b. are becoming / don't use
c. become / don't use
➪ We use the present continuous to
talk about situations that are
changing or developing (Children are
becoming).
➪ We use the present simple for
permanent situations or for things
that happen regularly, repeatedly or
all the time (they don't use).
7 I ______ an article about the myth
that says that we ______ 10% of our
brains.
a. 'm writing / are only using
b. write / are only using
c. 'm writing / only use
➪ We use the present progressive to
talk about temporary situations that
are going on now or ‘around now’ (I'm
writing).
➪ We use the present
simple for permanent situations or
for things that happen regularly,
repeatedly or all the time (we only
use).
8 I ______ of quitting my job.______ it
is a good idea?
a. 'm thinking / Do you think
b. think / Do you think
c. 'm thinking /Are you thinking
➪ The verb think is stative when it
means 'believe', 'have an opinion', but it
is dynamic in the following cases:
when it means 'consider': We
are thinking of selling our house.
when it refers to the process of
thinking itself: What are you
thinking?
9 Who is that man? Why ______ at us?
What ______?
a. is he looking / is he wanting
b. is he looking / does he want
c. does he look / he wants
➪ We use the present continuous for
actions in progress now or ‘around
now’ (is he looking).
➪ We use the present simple and not
progressive with stative or non-action
verbs (does he want). Want is a stative
verb.
10 A: Tomorrow I ______ my doctor in
the morning. B. Isn't your doctor that
woman I ______ over there?
a. see / 'm seeing
b. see / see
c. 'm seeing / see
➪ We use the present continuous to
talk about future actions that are
already planned or decided (I'm seeing
the doctor).
➪ We use the present simple and not
progressive with stative or non-action
verbs.
➪ The verb see has a dynamic and a
static sense. It is dynamic when it
means 'meet', 'have an appointment',
or 'have a relationship with someone',
and it is stative when it means 'see
with your eyes'.
Exercises: 1 2 3
Related tests:
Present simple vs
present continuous
Present continuous for
future arrangements
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