A2daily

Present Simple vs Present Continuous - Daily 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 (drink) coffee every morning.
  2. Listen! The neighbors (sing) in the garden.
  3. He (work) in a large office downtown.
  4. We (watch) a very funny movie at the moment.
  5. My sister (not / like) spicy food.
  6. Look! The bus (come) down the street.
  7. They (go) to the gym three times a week.
  8. Where is Sarah? She (take) a shower right now.
  9. You (always / lose) your keys!
  10. The sun (shine) brightly today.
  11. My parents (live) in a small house near the beach.
  12. I (not / study) English on Sundays.
  13. What you (do) right now?
  14. Mark (play) video games every weekend.
  15. Be quiet! The baby (sleep) in the bedroom.
  16. We (not / eat) meat because we are vegetarians.
  17. It (snow) heavily outside at the moment.
  18. How often she (visit) her grandparents?
  19. They (buy) groceries at the supermarket every Friday.
  20. Look at him! He (run) very fast.
  21. I (feel) very tired today.
  22. The train (leave) the station at 9:00 AM every day.
  23. Why you (wear) a heavy coat in this heat?
  24. My friend (speak) three different languages.
  25. We (have) dinner together every evening.

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."