Present Simple vs

Present Continuous
 Read these sentences.

I usually play tennis, but I am playing volleyball now.

We often go to the restaurant for dinner, but today we
are staying at home.
The children never eat dessert, but they are eating an
ice cream at the moment.
 When do we use the Present Simple or
the Present Continuous?
Present Simple Present Continuous
1. For routines 1. For actions happening now
I always get up at seven o’clock. I am reading a book now.
2. For timetables John is speaking to the
School starts at 8:30 am every teacher at the moment.
day.
Look! It is raining outside!
3. For likes and preferences
I love football.
4. For fixed states
Lisbon is the capital of Portugal.
GRAMMAR
PRACTICE
Now you try…
 1. Write the time expressions in the
table below.
every day at the moment never at present

now sometimes usually today often once a week

Present Simple Present Continuous
Once a week At the moment
Sometimes Today
Every day At present
Usually Now
Never
Often
 2. Choose the correct option.
a. We are watching TV at the moment!
1. watch 2. are watching
b. You always have lunch in the canteen.
1. have 2. are having
c. We are doing our homework now.
1. are doing 2. do

d. Water boils at about 100 ⁰celsius.

1. is boiling 2. boils
 2. Choose the correct option.
e. It is raining now!
1. rains 2. is raining
f. Anna and I never go to bed late.
1. go 2. are going
g. The students eat ice cream every day.
1. eat 2. are eating

h. I am speaking on the phone at present.

1. speak 2. am speaking
 3. Complete the gaps with the Present
Continuous or the Present Simple.
a. They usually walk (walk) to school.
b. Today Karen is going (go) to school by car.
c. Look! John is waiting (wait) at the bus stop.
d. Kate is working (work) in London every day.
e. At the moment, they are studying (study) for the test.
f. Mike has (have) piano lessons every Monday.
g. Be quiet, please. I am reading (read) a book now.
 3. Complete the gaps with the Present
Continuous or the Present Simple.
h. We always have (have) lunch in the canteen.
i. My sister is watching (watch) TV in her room now.
j. They go (go) to the cinema at the weekend.
k. What is Anna doing (do) at present?
l. The boys are playing (play) computer games online now.
m. The dog sleeps (sleep) on the sofa every day.
n. The children are playing (play) in the park now.