A2Tenses — Present

Present Simple or Present Continuous?

What is it?

One of the most common problem areas for English learners is choosing between the present simple and the present continuous. Both describe the present, but they have very different uses. The present simple is for permanent states, habits, and facts. The present continuous is for temporary situations, actions happening now, and arranged future events. Understanding the difference transforms your accuracy at A2 level.

How to form it

Subject	Positive	Negative	Question
Present Simple	She works every day.	She doesn't work today.	Does she work here?
Present Continuous	She's working right now.	She isn't working today.	Is she working?
Habit (Simple)	He goes to the gym.	He doesn't go.	Does he go?
Arrangement (Continuous)	He's going tomorrow.	He isn't going.	Is he going?

• Present Simple: base verb (+ -s/-es for he/she/it). Use with: always, usually, often, sometimes, never, every day.
• Present Continuous: am/is/are + -ing. Use with: now, right now, at the moment, today, this week, tomorrow (arranged).
• Some verbs (stative verbs) are almost never used in the continuous: know, want, like, love, hate, need, understand, believe, own, prefer.
• Watch out: 'think' and 'have' can be stative or active depending on meaning.

When to use it

1
Use the present simple for habits and routines — things that happen regularly.
"I get up at 7am every morning." / "She never drinks coffee."
2
Use the present continuous for actions happening right now, at this moment.
"I'm getting dressed — I'll be down in a minute." / "She's drinking her coffee."
3
Use the present simple for permanent states — situations that don't change easily.
"He lives in Tokyo." / "She works for a tech company."
4
Use the present continuous for temporary situations — things that are true now but not forever.
"He's living in Tokyo for three months." / "She's working on a special project this week."
5
Use the present continuous for future arrangements already planned.
"I'm having lunch with the team tomorrow — it's in the calendar."

Common mistakes

I am going to the gym every morning.

I go to the gym every morning.

A regular habit uses the present simple, not the continuous. 'Every morning' is the signal word for a routine.

She works in the kitchen right now — don't disturb her.

She's working in the kitchen right now — don't disturb her.

'Right now' means this is happening at this moment — use the present continuous.

I am knowing the answer to this question.

I know the answer to this question.

'Know' is a stative verb and is not used in the continuous form, even when talking about right now.

Quick reference

Present simple = permanent / general: 'She lives in Paris.'
Present continuous = temporary / now: 'She's living in Paris for a year.'
Present simple = habit: 'I take the bus every day.'
Present continuous = now: 'I'm taking the bus right now.'
Signal words for simple: always, usually, never, every day, on Mondays.
Signal words for continuous: now, at the moment, currently, today, this week, tomorrow (arranged).
Stative verbs (know, want, like, need, believe…) use simple, never continuous.

Natural conversation example

Two colleagues chatting before a morning meeting.

Priya

You look different today. What are you doing differently?

James

I'm trying a new morning routine this week — I'm waking up at 5:30 and going for a run.

Priya

Every day? Do you usually run?

James

Not usually, no. I normally go for a walk after work. But this week I'm experimenting.

Priya

I admire that. I could never do it. I always sleep until the last possible minute.

James

It's not easy! Are you coming to the team lunch on Friday?

Priya

Yes — I'm bringing dessert. I always bring something when we do team lunches.

James

Perfect. Right — the meeting is starting. Let's go.

Practice Exercises

Choose between the present simple and present continuous. Write the correct form of the verb in brackets.

1.
She usually (take) the 8am train but today she
2.
He (work) in a hospital — he's been there for ten years.
3.
What (you / do) right now? Can you talk?
4.
I (not / understand) this question — can you explain it?
5.
They (build) a new bridge near the town centre at the moment.
6.
She (often / stay) late at work on Thursdays.
7.
The sun (rise) in the east — that's a scientific fact.
8.
I (think) about changing jobs — everything has changed since the new manager arrived.
9.
He (always / leave) things to the last minute and it drives me mad.
10.
We (not / work) this Friday — it's a public holiday.

Present Continuous Use All Topics Stative Verbs

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