She usually eats healthy food, but today she’s eating cake because it’s her birthday.
Use the simple present for actions that happen in general.
Use the present continuous for actions happening at the moment or current/temporary projects.
Present Simple |
Present Continuous |
| I work from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. | I’m currently working on a new project. |
| Mark studies English every day. | Mark is studying the present continuous at the moment. |
| We usually go to Europe in the summer. | Right now, we’re going to the supermarket. |
| They always talk to their boss in the morning. | They’re talking to him now. |
| Does it usually rain in the winter? | No, but it’s raining now. Take an umbrella. |
These words can help you know if the sentence needs simple present or present continuous:
Simple Present:
- Always
- Usually
- Often
- Sometimes
- Never
- Every (day/night/year/summer/winter)
Present Continuous:
- Now
- Right now
- At the moment
- Currently
- This week/month/year
- Today
Learn more English verb tenses: past, present, future, simple, perfect, continuous!
Present Simple or Present Continuous?
Congratulations - you have completed Present Simple or Present Continuous?.
You scored %%SCORE%% out of %%TOTAL%%.
Your performance has been rated as %%RATING%%
Your answers are highlighted below.
Question 1 |
"What _____________?"
"She's baking a cake."
she does | |
's she doing |
Question 2 |
How often _______________ your house?
do you clean | |
are you cleaning |
Question 3 |
Amanda and Oscar always ________ to the gym after work.
go | |
are going |
Question 4 |
My colleagues normally ____________ lunch in the office.
aren't eating | |
don't eat |
Question 5 |
"Where's mom?"
"______________ a shower."
She takes | |
She's taking |
Question 6 |
My husband ____________ tennis three times a week.
plays | |
is playing |
Question 7 |
"Where _____________?"
"To my grandmother's house - see you later!"
are you going | |
do you go |
Question 8 |
Rita _________ how to ride a bike.
isn't knowing | |
doesn't know |
Question 9 |
Jane is cold because ______________ a jacket.
she doesn't wear | |
she's not wearing |
Question 10 |
Please turn down the music; _____________ to study.
I'm trying | |
I try |
Question 11 |
He normally _________ every weekday, but today _____________ because it's a holiday.
working / he doesn't work | |
works / he's not working | |
work / he not working |
Question 12 |
How many children ____________?
are you having | |
do you have |
Question 13 |
"Yes, I can talk now. ____________________."
I don't drive | |
I'm not driving |
Question 14 |
Watch out! Your son _____________ into the street!
runs | |
is running |
Question 15 |
My cousin never _________ me a birthday present.
is giving | |
gives |
Once you are finished, click the button below. Any items you have not completed will be marked incorrect.
There are 15 questions to complete.
