Present tenseEnglish level A2
Present Simple vs Continuous
Two present tenses, two jobs: Present Simple for habits and facts, Present Continuous for what is happening right now or temporarily.
Rule
Use Present Simple for things that are generally true or repeated. Use Present Continuous for an action in progress at the moment of speaking or a temporary situation.
Compare
| Present Simple | Present Continuous |
|---|---|
| Habit / routine: I drink coffee every morning. | Right now: I am drinking coffee at the moment. |
| Fact: She works in a bank. | Temporary: She is working from home this week. |
Time markers
alwaysusuallyoftenevery day
Time markers
nowat the momenttodaythis week
Common mistakes
Wrong: I am knowing the answer.Correct: I know the answer.State verbs (know, like, want, need, believe) avoid the continuous.Wrong: She cooks dinner right now.Correct: She is cooking dinner right now.
Practice
Listen! Someone missing word the piano.
Water missing word at 100 degrees.