SIMPLE PRESENT OR PRESENT CONTINUOUS? EXERCISE 1 (ESL)

B1–B2 · Intermediate

The simple present and the present continuous both describe the present, but they are used in very different situations. The simple present describes habits, routines, and general truths; the present continuous describes actions happening right now or around the current period. This is exercise 1 of 2 in this series.

Part 1 of 2 Exercise 1Exercise 2

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Grammar review Simple present or present continuous — when to use each

Both tenses refer to the present, but they focus on very different things.

SIMPLE PRESENT — for habits, routines, facts, and general truths
Use when something happens regularly or is always true.
“She works in a hospital.” (her job — a fact)
“I drink coffee every morning.” (routine)
“Water boils at 100°C.” (general truth)

Signal words: always, usually, often, sometimes, never, every day/week, on Mondays

PRESENT CONTINUOUS — for actions happening right now or around now
Use when something is in progress at this moment, or is a temporary situation.
“She is talking on the phone.” (right now)
“I’m staying with my parents this week.” (temporary)
“They’re building a new bridge nearby.” (ongoing project)

Signal words: now, right now, at the moment, currently, this week/month, today

Future use of present continuous:
The present continuous is also used for fixed future arrangements:
“We’re meeting them tomorrow.”