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
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 |
Amanda and Oscar always ________ to the gym after work.
go | |
are going |
Question 2 |
Rita _________ how to ride a bike.
doesn't know | |
isn't knowing |
Question 3 |
How often _______________ your house?
do you clean | |
are you cleaning |
Question 4 |
My cousin never _________ me a birthday present.
gives | |
is giving |
Question 5 |
My colleagues normally ____________ lunch in the office.
don't eat | |
aren't eating |
Question 6 |
How many children ____________?
do you have | |
are you having |
Question 7 |
Please turn down the music; _____________ to study.
I'm trying | |
I try |
Question 8 |
"Where's mom?"
"______________ a shower."
She's taking | |
She takes |
Question 9 |
"Yes, I can talk now. ____________________."
I'm not driving | |
I don't drive |
Question 10 |
Jane is cold because ______________ a jacket.
she's not wearing | |
she doesn't wear |
Question 11 |
Watch out! Your son _____________ into the street!
is running | |
runs |
Question 12 |
My husband ____________ tennis three times a week.
plays | |
is playing |
Question 13 |
"Where _____________?"
"To my grandmother's house - see you later!"
are you going | |
do you go |
Question 14 |
"What _____________?"
"She's baking a cake."
's she doing | |
she does |
Question 15 |
He normally _________ every weekday, but today _____________ because it's a holiday.
works / he's not working | |
working / he doesn't work | |
work / he not working |
Once you are finished, click the button below. Any items you have not completed will be marked incorrect.
There are 15 questions to complete.
