Present Simple or Continuous? Difference & Exercises

Not sure of it’s present simple or continuous? This is the page for you. These two tenses are used to talk about things happening now or in general, but in very different ways. Let’s have a quick test first:

Was this too hard? Here’s how they are different:

Table of Contents in this article:

Present Simple
Present Continuous
Key Differences: Present Simple or Continuous
- Infographic: Present Simple or Continuous
Exercises: Present Simple or Continuous

Present Simple

We use the present simple for actions that happen regularly (habits, routine), and are facts or general truths.

Structure: Subject + base verb (add -s for he/she/it).
Examples:

I go to school every day. (regular action)
She likes ice cream. (a fact)
The sun rises in the east. (general truth)

Go to Present Simple Page

Present Continuous

We use the present continuous for actions that are happening right now, at this moment, or are temporary.

Structure: Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing.
Examples:

I am studying English now. (happening at this moment)
She is watching TV. (in progress)
We are staying at a hotel this week. (temporary situation)

Go to Present Continuous Page

Key Differences: Present Simple or Continuous

Time of action:
- Present Simple: Things that are always true or happen regularly.
- Present Continuous: Things happening now or temporarily.
Keywords:
- Present Simple: Use words like “always,” “usually,” “every day,” “often.”
  Example: He always drinks coffee in the morning.
- Present Continuous: Use words like “now,” “at the moment,” “this week.”
  Example: She is drinking coffee right now.

Compare:

Present Simple: I play football every Saturday. (a habit)
Present Continuous: I am playing football now. (happening at this moment)

Infographic: Present Simple or Continuous

Download PNG

Download PDF

Exercises: Present Simple or Continuous

EXERCISE: Present Simple or Present Continuous – Fill the gaps

Fill the gaps by correctly conjugating the verb given.

Example: I ______ sports every day. (do)

Answer: do

1 / 10

They in a small town. (live)

2 / 10

She to work every day. (not go)

3 / 10

I for my keys, have you seen them? (look)

4 / 10

We pizza on weekdays. (not eat)

5 / 10

They dinner at the moment. (have)

6 / 10

She a movie right now. (watch)

7 / 10

I usually at 7 am. (wake up)

8 / 10

He in the pool at the moment. (not swim)

9 / 10

He TV after dinner. (watch)

10 / 10

The baby quietly now. (sleep)

Your score is

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