Present Simple

and
Present Continuous

English class
Madalina Popescu
 What’s the difference?
Present Simple Present Continuous/ Progressive
1. habits, routines 1. Actions around “now”
I go to work every day. I’m going to work now.
2. Permanent states 2. Temporary actions
I live in Bucharest. I’m staying in a hotel this week.
3. Official schedules/ timetables 3. Personal plans, arrangements
Banks close at 5 pm. (future meaning)
I’m visiting my aunt next week.
4. facts, general truths 4. Developing or changing situations
Fish live in water. (usually followed by a comparative)
It’s getting hotter and hotter.
5. narratives (in stories, plays, a 5. Annoying behavior: always+
football match) Present Continuous
At the end of the book, the detective My sister is always taking my things.
catches the thief. It’s so annoying.
6. In first conditionals and future time
 Present
Present Simple
Continuous

Every day/ week/ Now

month/ summer At the moment
Once/ twice/ Right now
three times A day/
week For future
Key words Always meaning:
Often This (week/
Usually month/year)
Sometimes Tonight
Rarely tomorrow
Hardly ever Today
never Next (week,
month)
Stative verbs
They show a state, not an action, and
they are not used in continuous tenses.

Action verbs: run, eat, go, move, play

State verbs: be, have, love, want
TO BE– is a state verbs, but can sometimes
be used in Present Continuous

Notice these examples:

Present Simple :You are a nice person. (=

that’s how you usually are)

Present Continuous: You are being so rude

today.(= This behavior is unusual for you you
are not like that.)
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