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Present Simple or Continuous

The document explains the use of present simple and present continuous tenses in English grammar. Present simple is used for habits, permanent situations, and actions that occur regularly, while present continuous is used for actions happening now or temporary situations. It also highlights the use of adverbs and expressions of frequency with present simple and time expressions with present continuous.

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7 views

Present Simple or Continuous

The document explains the use of present simple and present continuous tenses in English grammar. Present simple is used for habits, permanent situations, and actions that occur regularly, while present continuous is used for actions happening now or temporary situations. It also highlights the use of adverbs and expressions of frequency with present simple and time expressions with present continuous.

Uploaded by

imdanndann504
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Present simple or continuous?

– Grammar chart

Present simple

We use the present simple for habits or permanent situations. You can revise the form of the
present simple tense here.

Habits or actions that happen regularly

We use the present simple for habits or actions that we repeat regularly:

 I wash my hair every day.

 I never go to the library.

 I go to the library on Saturdays.

Permanent situations or things that are always or often true

 I don’t drink coffee.

 She’s very tall.

 I have two brothers.


 Water boils at 100 degrees.

 I like soup.

Adverbs and expressions of frequency

We use adverbs and expressions of frequency with the present simple to talk about how often
something happens.

 We usually order a pizza on Fridays.

 I go running twice a week.

Present continuous

We use the present continuous for things that are happening now (at the moment of speaking)
or for temporary things that are happening around now (these days or weeks, etc.). You can
revise the form of the present continuous tense here.

Actions happening now

We use the present continuous for things happening now, at the moment of speaking.

 ‘What are you doing?’ ‘I‘m watching TV.’

Actions happening around now

We use the present continuous for temporary things that are happening around now (=not at
the moment of speaking but these days, weeks, etc.)

 I‘m reading a very good book at the moment. (=I’m not reading it at the moment I’m
speaking, but I’m reading it these days.)

 What TV series are you watching these days? (=You are not watching it at the moment
of speaking, but these days.)

Now, these days, at the moment, etc.

We use the present continuous with time expressions that mean now or around now. Some of
these expressions are: now, at the moment, at present, today, these days, this week, etc.

Present simple or continuous?

Temporary or permanent?

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