Present Simple vs Present Continuous— A1 Grammar Exercises

Anna works in a hospital. Right now she is working in the emergency room. Both sentences use the present tense — but they say different things. The first describes her job. The second describes this moment. That difference is the key to this topic.

Form

Present Simple

Add -s or -es after the verb for he, she, it. All other subjects use the base form. For negatives and questions, use do or does. For the verb to be, see am, is, are.

Present Continuous

Use am / is / are + the -ing form of the verb. For a full guide to this tense on its own, see present continuous.

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When to Use Each

Present Simple: habits and routines

Use the present simple for things that happen regularly — every day, every week, always.

• Marco gets up at 7 every morning.
• We don't eat meat.

Present Simple: facts and general truths

Use it for things that are always true.

• Water boils at 100°C.
• The sun rises in the east.

Present Continuous: actions happening now

Use the present continuous for what is happening at this exact moment.

• She is talking on the phone right now.
• They are having dinner at the moment.

Present Continuous: temporary situations

Use it for things that are happening around now but will not last forever.

• I am staying at my sister's house this week.
• He is studying English this year.
• She usually works in the office, but this week she is working from home.

Signal Words

Certain words tell you which tense to use. Signal words are not a rule — they are a clue. Always check the meaning too.

Stative Verbs: No Continuous Form

Some verbs describe a state — not an action. You cannot use them in the continuous form. The most common ones at A1 are: like, love, hate, want, need, know, understand, have (for possession), and hear, see, smell.

I am liking this film. → I like this film.
She is wanting a coffee. → She wants a coffee.
He is knowing the answer. → He knows the answer.

Common Mistakes

Side-by-Side Comparison

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Quick Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between present simple and present continuous?

Present simple describes habits, routines, and facts — things that are generally true. Present continuous describes what is happening right now or a temporary situation around the present time. "She works in a hospital" (her job, always true) vs "She is working right now" (this exact moment).

When do I use present simple in English?

Use present simple for three main situations: repeated habits and routines (I walk to school every day), permanent facts (the sun rises in the east), and general truths (water boils at 100°C). Signal words like always, usually, never, and every day are strong clues.

When do I use present continuous in English?

Use present continuous when something is happening at this moment (I am eating lunch right now) or when a situation is temporary and around the present time (she is staying with her parents this month). Signal words like now, at the moment, and this week are strong clues.

What are stative verbs and why can't I use them in continuous?

Stative verbs describe a state or condition — not an action — so there is no ongoing process to describe. Verbs like know, like, love, want, and need fall into this category. You say I know the answer, not I am knowing the answer, because knowing is not something you do — it is something you have. In most cases this rule holds firm, though some stative verbs have action meanings that do allow the continuous, as with have.

Is "today" present simple or present continuous?

Today can go with either tense — it depends on the meaning, not the word itself. "I work today" (simple) means today is a workday, a scheduled fact. "I am working today" (continuous) emphasises the activity in progress or a temporary arrangement. When you see today, check whether you mean a scheduled fact or an ongoing action.

How do I form questions in present simple vs present continuous?

The auxiliary verb changes completely between the two tenses. For present simple, use do or does: Do you work here? / Does she work here? For present continuous, use am, is, or are: Are you working now? / Is she working now? Never mix them: Does she working now? is always wrong.

Related Topics

• Present continuous — the form and all uses of the present continuous on its own.
• Verb to be: am, is, are — the present continuous is built on am/is/are, so this is the essential foundation.
• Have vs has — one of the most common stative verbs, with its own rules for when continuous is and isn't allowed.
• Past simple: regular verbs — once you are confident with the present tenses, past simple is the natural next step.