Cópia - Present simple vs Present continuous

by Vera Lourenço

Present Simple vs Present Continuous

Start

Index

Your contents are liked, but they only engage if they are interactive. Capture the attention of your audience with an interactive photo or illustration.

Form & Use

Present Continuous

Form & Use

Present Simple

FORM

Present Simple

He/she/it

• General rule: +s
• He likes...
• Verbs ending in o, s, x, sh, ch: +es
• She goes... / fixes....
• Verbs ending in consonant + y change Y into i+es
• Peter studies...

We use the present simple to talk about

• Routines/ timetables or habits

At 7 o'clock on school days, but when I am holiday I usually get up late.

• What you like or dislike

My brother likes practising radical sports.

• Permanent situations

My parents live in the countryside, miles from anywhere.

• General truth/ law of nature

Water boils at 100º degree celsius.

Use

Present Simple

FORM

Present Continuous

We use the present continuous to talk about

• Actions taking place at the moment of speaking

The plane to Paris is taking off right now.

• Temporary situations

They are staying at a hotel while their house is being restored.

• Actions arranged for the near future.

We are travelling to London next week.

Use

Present Continuous

• now
• at the moment
• today
• these days
• at present
• this week/month
• tomorrow

Time markers

• always
• usually
• often
• sometimes
• seldom
• rarely
• never

Time markers