A2business

Present Simple vs Present Continuous - Business English

Type your answer in each blank and press Enter to check it, or use Check answers below. A cue in (brackets) is the word to put in the right form.

Use the present simple for things that are generally true, permanent, or repeated: facts, routines, and habits. "I work in finance." "Our office opens at nine." "She emails clients every Monday." Use the present continuous (am/is/are + -ing) for actions happening right now, or temporary situations happening around now: "I'm reviewing the contract at the moment." "We're hiring two new analysts this quarter." A useful test: if you could add "every day" or "usually", choose the present simple; if you could add "right now" or "this week", choose the present continuous. Time words help you decide. "Always, usually, often, every day, on Mondays" point to the present simple. "Now, at the moment, today, this week, currently" point to the present continuous. A common pitfall is using the continuous for stative verbs, words for states rather than actions, such as know, want, need, understand, agree, and like. We say "I understand the proposal", not "I am understanding the proposal". Also remember the third person -s in the present simple: "He manages the team", not "He manage the team". Get these two tenses right and your spoken and written English will sound far more natural in meetings, emails, and interviews.

Let's practise. Type each answer and press Enter, I'll check it with you.

  1. I (write) an important email to a client right now.
  2. Mr. Thompson (work) in the London office every Monday.
  3. We (have) a meeting in the conference room at the moment.
  4. The company (produce) high-quality software for banks.
  5. Listen! The CEO (speak) to the investors in the lobby.
  6. They (send) the monthly reports on the last day of every month.
  7. She (prepare) a presentation for the board meeting this week.
  8. Our team (meet) once a week to discuss new projects.
  9. You (not/use) the printer right now, so I can take it.
  10. He (manage) a large team of developers in Singapore.
  11. Look! The technician (fix) the server in the IT room.
  12. I (not/usually/check) my emails during the weekend.
  13. The marketing department (launch) a new campaign this month.
  14. Do you (need) help with that spreadsheet?
  15. We (negotiate) a new contract with the supplier today.
  16. The sun (rise) in the east, and our office opens at 8:00 AM.
  17. Why (you/wear) a suit today? It's casual Friday.
  18. She (always/arrive) on time for her appointments.
  19. They (not/work) on the project this afternoon.
  20. Our boss (travel) to New York for a conference every year.
  21. I (look) for my client's contact details at the moment.
  22. Does this software (run) well on older computers?
  23. The economy (grow) very slowly this year.
  24. We (not/provide) free training to new employees.
  25. He (talk) on the phone with a customer right now.

Common questions

What is the difference between the present simple and the present continuous?

The present simple describes things that are permanent, regular, or always true: routines, habits, and facts. For example, "I commute by train" or "The company sells software." The present continuous (am/is/are + -ing) describes actions happening now or temporary situations around now: "I'm waiting for the meeting to start" or "We're testing a new supplier this month."

Which time expressions tell me which tense to use?

Words like always, usually, often, rarely, every day, and on Fridays signal the present simple, because they describe repeated or regular actions: "She usually leads the call." Words like now, right now, at the moment, today, this week, and currently signal the present continuous, because they describe something in progress: "He's currently working from the Paris office."

Why can't I say "I am knowing" or "I am wanting"?

Verbs that describe states rather than actions, called stative verbs, are not normally used in the continuous form. These include know, understand, want, need, like, prefer, believe, and agree. You say "I know the answer" and "I want a refund," not "I am knowing" or "I am wanting." In a meeting you would say "I agree with the plan," never "I am agreeing with the plan."