Simple present or present continuous?

Simple present or present continuous? Espresso English

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
"Where's mom?"

"______________ a shower."

A
She takes
B
She's taking
Question 2
My cousin never _________ me a birthday present.
A
gives
B
is giving
Question 3
"Yes, I can talk now. ____________________."
A
I don't drive
B
I'm not driving
Question 4
How many children ____________?
A
do you have
B
are you having
Question 5
Amanda and Oscar always ________ to the gym after work.
A
go
B
are going
Question 6
My husband ____________ tennis three times a week.
A
is playing
B
plays
Question 7
"Where _____________?"

"To my grandmother's house - see you later!"

A
do you go
B
are you going
Question 8
Watch out! Your son _____________ into the street!
A
is running
B
runs
Question 9
Please turn down the music; _____________ to study.
A
I try
B
I'm trying
Question 10
How often _______________ your house?
A
do you clean
B
are you cleaning
Question 11
My colleagues normally ____________ lunch in the office.
A
don't eat
B
aren't eating
Question 12
Rita _________ how to ride  a bike.
A
doesn't know
B
isn't knowing
Question 13
He normally _________ every weekday, but today _____________ because it's a holiday.
A
working / he doesn't work
B
works / he's not working
C
work / he not working
Question 14
"What _____________?"

"She's baking a cake."

A
's she doing
B
she does
Question 15
Jane is cold because ______________  a jacket.
A
she's not wearing
B
she doesn't wear
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There are 15 questions to complete.

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Simple present or present continuous? Espresso English

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