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TermsEnglish (UK) · Present
Present Simple or Continuous?
Use the present simple for habits, routines, timetables and facts: She usually walks to work. Water boils at 100 degrees. Typical cues: usually, often, never, every day, once a month.
Use the present continuous (am / is / are + -ing) for actions happening now or around now: Look! It is snowing. Kate is learning Japanese at the moment. Typical cues: now, right now, at the moment, Look!, Listen!
State verbs describe thoughts, feelings and possession, not actions, so they stay in the present simple even right now:
- know, understand, remember, think (= believe)
- like, want, need, belong
Say I don't understand this word — not I am not understanding.
Examples
- I usually get up at seven.
- Look! The bus is coming.
- She works in a hospital.
- Right now we're having dinner.
- I don't know his address.
Try it yourself
She usually (to walk) to work.Show answer
She usually walks to work.
Look! It (to snow).Show answer
Look! It is snowing.
I (to drink) coffee every morning.Show answer
I drink coffee every morning.
Listen! Someone (to sing) in the garden.Show answer
Listen! Someone is singing in the garden.
Water (to boil) at 100 degrees Celsius.Show answer
Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
Be quiet! The baby (to sleep).Show answer
Be quiet! The baby is sleeping.
It often (to rain) in April.Show answer
It often rains in April.
Where are the kids? They (to play) in the garden.Show answer
Where are the kids? They are playing in the garden.
My grandmother (to visit) us every Sunday.Show answer
My grandmother visits us every Sunday.
Hurry up! Everyone (to wait) for you.Show answer
Hurry up! Everyone is waiting for you.