Grammar, compared
Present simple vs present continuous
The present simple is for what is always true. The present continuous is for what is happening around now.
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| Present simple | Present continuous |
|---|---|
| I work from home. (A fact about my job.) | I am working from home this week. (Temporary.) |
| She drinks coffee every morning. (A habit.) | She is drinking coffee right now. (In progress.) |
| Prices go up every year. (A pattern.) | Prices are going up. (A change in progress.) |
When to use each
| Point | Present simple | Present continuous |
|---|---|---|
| Use it for | Habits, facts, timetables | Actions now, temporary situations, changes |
| Signal words | always, usually, every day, never | now, at the moment, this week, currently |
| Form | work, works | am, is or are plus working |
| Question | What do you do? | What are you doing? |
| Plans | The train leaves at 8. | I am meeting Ana at 8. |
State verbs describe a state, not an action: know, understand, like, love, want, need, believe, own. They stay in the present simple, even now. Say I want a coffee, not I am wanting a coffee.
Watch out if you speak Spanish
- Spanish uses one present for both, so English asks you to choose. Trabajo desde casa hoy is I am working from home today.
- Do not use the continuous with state verbs: I know, not I am knowing.
- What do you do? asks about your job. What are you doing? asks about right now.
- Always with the continuous shows annoyance: He is always losing his keys.
Practice
Grammar practice
Choose or type the answer for each sentence, then check.
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Questions
- Why is it I like, not I am liking?
- Like is a state verb. Verbs of feeling, thinking and having usually stay in the present simple.
- Can I use the present continuous for the future?
- Yes, for a fixed plan: I am flying to Lima on Friday. Add a time and it is clearly a plan.
Keep going
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