Learning English

Present simple and present continuous

Meaning and use

We use the present simple for:

• things that we do regularly
• facts and truths 
• habits
• permanent situations

We often use adverbs of frequency and time expressions like every day, once a week, on Fridays.

I check my email every day. (regular activity)

Sheryl works at the bank. (permanent situation)

• We use the present continuous for:
• things that are happening now – at the time we are speaking,
• temporary situations
• activities that are in progress

We often use time expressions like at the moment, today, this week.

Just a minute. I’m checking my email. (now)

She usually works in London, but she’s working from home this week. (temporary situation)

I’m studying Economics (activity in progress)

Form - Positive

The present simple has the same form as the infinitive without 'to'’ for I, you, we and they. For he, she and it, we add -s or -es to the infinitive.

They live in Rome.
Julian starts work at nine o’clock and finishes at five.

The present continuous for I is subject + am + verb-ing For you, we and they: subject + are + -verb-ing. For he, she, it: subject + is + verb-ing. We usually use contractions (I’m, he’s, they’re, etc.) when we are speaking.

Can I call you back later? We’re having dinner right now.

Form - Negative

The negative present simple is subject + don’t (do not) + infinitive without 'to' for I, you, we and they, and subject + doesn’t (does not) + infinitive without 'to' for he, she and it.

I don’t eat meat.
It doesn’t usually snow in October.

The negative present continuous for I is I’m not + verb-ing.  For you, we and they: subject + aren’t + verb-ing. For he, she, it: subject + isn’t + verb-ing.

He isn’t answering his mobile at the moment.

Form - questions

The present simple question form is do/does + subject + infinitive without ‘to’.

Do you read the news online every day?

Does the supermarket sell stamps?

The present continuous question form is am/is/are+ subject + verb-ing. 

What are you doing?

Is it raining?

Take note: spelling changes

In the present simple, regular verbs end in -s or -es, but -y changes to -i.

marry – marries      study – studies

In the present continuous, all verbs end in -ing, but sometimes the spelling changes.

make – making   sit – sitting    die – dying     

Take note: spelling

In the present simple, regular verbs end in -s or -es, but -y changes to -i.

marry – marries     
study – studies 

In the present continuous, all main verbs end in -ing, but sometimes the spelling changes.

make – making  
sit – sitting   
die – dying  

Take note: verbs we don’t use in the present continuous

There are some verbs that we don’t usually use in the continuous form. They are often verbs linked to the senses and thinking, for example: hear, see, smell, hate, know, understand, believe, want, need.

Wrong: Could you explain that again? I’m not understanding.
Correct: Could you explain that again? I don’t understand.

Practice

Match questions 1-8 with answers a-h.

1. Does it snow in the UK?                              a. My home’s in Brazil.

2. Is it snowing in the UK?                               b. Yes, I’m the managing director.

3. Do you work here?                                      c. No, I’ve got a day off.

4. Are you working today?                               d. Just coke, usually.

5. Where do you live?                                      e. It’s water.

6. Where are you living?                                  f. In a friend’s flat in London.

7. What do you drink?                                     g. Not right now.

8. What are you drinking?                                h. Only in winter.

Answers

1. Does it snow in the UK? (h) Only in winter.

[Use the present simple for truths and facts.]

2. Is it snowing in the UK? (g) Not right now.

[Use the present continuous for things that are/aren’t happening now.]

3. Do you work here? (b) Yes, I’m the managing director.

[Use the present simple for permanent situations.]

4. Are you working today? (c) No, I’ve got a day off.

[Use the present continuous for temporary situations.]

5. Where do you live? (a) My home’s in Brazil.

[Use the present simple for permanent situations.]

6. Where are you living? (f) In a friend’s flat in London.

[Use the present continuous for temporary situations.]

7. What do you drink? (d) Usually just coke.

[Use the present simple for habits.]

8. What are you drinking? (e) It’s water.

[Use the present continuous for things happening now.]