PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS

PRESENT SIMPLE
Used to talk about:
1. Habits and routines
You can add a frequency adverb or expression to show how often.
• I go to a Pilates class twice a week.
• I don't usually work on weekends.
• How often do you go to the gym?
2. Things you see as facts, always true
• I live near the downtown area.
• I don't consume dairy products.
• Which languages do you speak?

PRESENT CONTINUOUS
Used to talk about:
1. Things started, but not yet finished at the time of speaking.
• I'm teaching English right now.
• He's not feeling very well.
• What are you doing?
2. Things happening around now, but not at the moment of speaking.
• I'm studying French at George Brown college.
• They're not speaking to each other at the moment.
• What are you training for?

*We often use the present continuous to talk about trends.

• Many people are choosing to work from home.
• The number of homeowners is decreasing.
State verbs are not usually used in the continuous form. (Verbs that describe
states and feelings) Some common state verbs are:
agree, believe, belong, know, mean, own, prefer, understand, etc.
• I understand what you mean.