Present Simple vs. Present Continuous

when to use the

present continuous present simple

usually

present simple

The Present simple is used to describe something you do regularly.

Present simple

To make the present simple use the base form of the verb (the infinitive without "to)

Present simple

To make the present simple use the base form of the verb (the infinitive without "to)

With "he", "she" and "it", add "s" to the base form

Present simple

To make the present simple use the base form of the verb (the infinitive without "to)

With "he", "she" and "it", add "s" to the base form

Use "do" to form negatives and ask questions.

ADVERBS OF FREQUENCY HELP TO SHOW THE PRESENT SIMPLE ACTION IS A ROUTINE

ALWAYS

EVERY DAY

ON MONDAYS...

USUALLY

OFTEN

ONCE A...

10

TWICE A...

SOMETIME

11

HARDLY EVER

THREE TIMES...

12

NEVER

NORMALLY

For example

• I wake up at 7am every day.

• ·He usually drinks coffee in the morning.

• · She doesn't meet her friends in the evening.

• we don't study English twice a week.

• Do they always play football on Sundays?

now

present continuous

The Present continuous describes something you are doing now.

present continuous

To make the PRESENT CONTINUOUS, use the present simple of verb to be, plus the gerund (-ing) of the main verb.

present continuous

To make the PRESENT CONTINUOUS, use the present simple of verb to be, plus the gerund (-ing) of the main verb.

Use the PRESENT SIMPLE of verb To Be

present continuous

To make the PRESENT CONTINUOUS, use the present simple of verb to be, plus the gerund (-ing) of the main verb.

Use the PRESENT SIMPLE of verb To Be

Add -ing to the end of the main verb

Time reference sentences HELP TO SHOW THE PRESENT continuous ACTION IS a period of time

next monday

Today

tonight

this summer

at the moment

in this moment

10

while

right now

11

this morning

at present

12

This afternoon

NORMALLY

for example

· Chrissy is watching a movie at the moment.· I'm making dinner for my parents right now. Rainye isn't eating with friends tonight. · Is he taking a break from work? They aren't doing their homework.

we can use both tenses in the same sentence, comparing what we normally do to what we are doing now

pay attention to the following examples...

They often play golfbut today, they're playing hockey

Phil usually runsbut today, he is cycling.

Sally usually swimsbut right now, she is playing football

Ven usually sings in the school bandbut today he is playing the guitar.

Ben usually works until 6pm, but tonight he's working until 9pm.

I normally take a showerbut today, I'm having a bath.

Tonight, we´re celebrating my birthday but normally we don't eat out.

We often stay at home on weekendsbut today we're shopping in town