Present Simple vs Continuous Tense
Present simple tense is for habits and general truths.
Present Continuous is for actions happening now.
In this lesson, you’ll learn more differences and practise using these tenses.
When to use present simple and present continuous tense?
Present Simple
- To show regular habits and actions
- To say facts and permanent situations
- Use stative verbs, e.g. need, want, look, like
- Common time expressions; always, sometimes, every week, every day, once a week etc.
Present Continuous
- To show actions happening now
- To show actions happening around that time, e.g. I am reading this book at the moment.
- Common time expressions; now, at the moment, today, right now etc.
Examples
I live in England.
He is watching a film now.
Water turns to ice at 0 degrees.
Practise
Fill the gaps with the correct form of the verbs.
Common mistakes learners make
- Mixing up the time references for each tense
- Using stative verbs with present continuous
Common mistakes learners make
- Mixing up the time references for each tense
- Using stative verbs with present continuous