Present Simple vs Present Continuous: Grammar Rules & Examples for ESL Students

Exercises

Explanation

What is Present Simple?

We use Present Simple to talk about:

Habits and routines
I wake up at 7 a.m. every day.
General truths or facts
Water freezes at 0°C.
Permanent situations
She lives in Madrid.
Schedules or timetables
The train leaves at six.

Present Simple Form

Subject + base verb (+ -s for he/she/it)

Examples:

He works in an office.
They play tennis every weekend.
The shop opens at nine.

Negative Form

Subject + don’t/doesn’t + base verb

I don’t like coffee.
She doesn’t drive to work.

Questions

Do/Does + subject + base verb ?

Do you study English online?
Does he enjoy jazz music?

What is Present Continuous?

We use Present Continuous to talk about:

Actions happening right now
She is cooking dinner.
Temporary actions
I’m staying with my cousin this week.
Changing or developing situations
The weather is getting colder.
Future arrangements
We’re meeting our friends tomorrow.

Present Continuous Form

Subject + am/is/are + verb -ing

Examples:

I am studying for my exam.
He is watching TV.
They are playing outside.

Negative Form

Subject + am/is/are + not + verb -ing

I’m not working today.
We aren’t traveling this weekend.

Questions

Am/Is/Are + subject + verb -ing ?

Is she talking to her teacher?
Are you coming to class tomorrow?

Key Differences

Use	Present Simple	Present Continuous
Frequency	Regular, repeated actions	Actions happening right now
Duration	Permanent	Temporary
Time focus	Always, usually, often, every day	Now, right now, today, this week
Future meaning	Timetables and schedules	Planned future events
Example	The bus leaves at 8:30.	I’m catching the 8:30 bus today.

Time Markers

Present Simple: always, usually, often, sometimes, never, every day, on Mondays
Present Continuous: now, at the moment, today, right now, this week, tonight

Examples:

I usually read before bed.
She’s working from home today.