Present Simple vs Present Continuous Exercises
Do more with this exercise
Present simple or present continuous?
The present simple describes what usually happens. The present continuous describes what is happening now, or for a short time around now.
- Present simple:
- habits and facts: I work in a bank. The sun rises in the east.
- Present continuous:
- am/is/are + -ing for actions in progress: I'm working from home today.
- Always or for now:
- She lives in Rome (it is her home) vs She's living in Rome this year (for now)
- State verbs:
- know, want, like and need don't take -ing: I know the answer (not 'I'm knowing')
- Clue words:
- simple: always, usually, every day — continuous: now, right now, at the moment, today, this week
Examples
I usually drive to work, but today I am taking the train.
habit vs what is different today
Quiet, please — the baby is sleeping.
action in progress right now
She speaks four languages.
a fact — simple
We are staying with friends this week.
for now — continuous
I don't understand this question.
state verb — no -ing form
Audio uses a synthetic voice.
Practice exercises
Choose the correct tense
Select the form that fits each situation.
1.Look! It ___ — take your umbrella.
2.My father ___ in a factory near the city every day.
3.I can't talk now — I ___ dinner.
4.She ___ two sugars in her coffee.
5.This week I ___ at my aunt's house.
Complete the sentences
Type the correct form (present simple or continuous) of the verb in brackets.
Put the words in order
Click the words in the correct order to build the sentence.
11. Build the sentence:
12. Build the sentence:
13. Build the sentence:
14. Build the sentence:
True or false?
Decide if each statement is true or false.
15."I am knowing the answer" is correct English.
16.'At the moment' goes with the present continuous.
17."Right now I play football in the park" is correct.
18.You can say "I'm reading a good book" even when you are not reading at this second.
Present simple vs present continuous: the full picture
Many languages use one present tense for two jobs. English uses two. The present simple tells us what is usually true: "I teach English" is my job. The present continuous tells us what is happening now: "I am teaching English" means I am doing it at this moment.
Think of a photo album and a video. The present simple is the photo album of your life: routines, facts and things that are always true. The present continuous is one picture from a video: an action in the middle of happening. That is why 'Look!', 'Listen!' and 'right now' go with the continuous, while 'every day', 'usually' and 'never' go with the simple.
The continuous can also show something that is only for now. "She lives with her parents" is her normal home. "She's living with her parents" means it is only for a short time. You can use it for this week or this month too: "I'm working in my aunt's shop this week."
State verbs are a common problem. Verbs like know, want, like, love, need and understand describe states, not actions, so they don't take -ing, even with 'now': say "I don't understand this question", not 'I'm not understanding'. A few verbs change meaning: 'She has a car' is a state, but 'She's having lunch' is an action.
The exercises above mix habits, actions in progress and state verbs. If you can say why each answer is right, you understand one of the most important contrasts in English.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between the present simple and the present continuous?
The present simple describes what usually happens: habits, routines and facts. The present continuous (am/is/are + -ing) describes what is happening now or around now, or something that is only for a short time.
What are state verbs and why don't they take -ing?
State verbs describe conditions rather than actions: know, want, like, love, hate, need, believe, understand, own, seem. Because states aren't 'in progress', they normally stay in the simple form: I need help (not 'I'm needing help').
How do I spell the -ing form?
Most verbs just add -ing: work → working. Drop a final -e: make → making. Double the final consonant after a stressed short vowel in a one-syllable verb: run → running. But visit → visiting.
How do I make questions and negatives?
Present simple: use do/does + the base verb (Does she work here? She doesn't work here). Present continuous: put am/is/are before the subject (Is she working?) and add not (She isn't working).
Which clue words go with each tense?
Present simple: always, usually, often, sometimes, never, every day, on Mondays. Present continuous: now, right now, at the moment, today, this week.
Answer key
1. Look! It ___ — take your umbrella.
Answer: is raining
'Look!' points to something happening right now: is raining.
2. My father ___ in a factory near the city every day.
Answer: works
Every day shows a regular job, so use the present simple: works.
3. I can't talk now — I ___ dinner.
Answer: am cooking
The action is in progress at this moment: am cooking.
4. She ___ two sugars in her coffee.
Answer: wants
'Want' is a state verb — it almost never takes the continuous: wants.
5. This week I ___ at my aunt's house.
Answer: am staying
'This week' is a short time around now: am staying.
6. The sun ___ in the east.
Answer: rises
A fact of nature takes the present simple: rises.
7. Be quiet! I ___ to sleep.
Answer: am trying
Happening right now: am trying.
8. My sister ___ the piano every evening after school.
Answer: practices
'Every evening' marks a routine: practices.
9. This month, my brother ___ in a shop.
Answer: is working
'This month' is a short time around now: is working.
10. He ___ three languages, and now he ___ a fourth.
Answer: speaks / is learning
A fact (speaks) and an activity in progress (is learning). Type both verbs, e.g. "speaks / is learning".
11. watching / is / She / TV in her room.
Answer: She is watching TV in her room.
Subject + am/is/are + -ing verb + object + place.
12. usually walks / He / to school.
Answer: He usually walks to school.
Adverb of frequency before the main verb, present simple for a habit.
13. are / why / you / laughing / ?
Answer: why are you laughing ?
Question word + are + subject + -ing verb.
14. doesn't / meat / eat / my friend
Answer: my friend doesn't eat meat
A general preference — present simple negative: doesn't eat.
15. "I am knowing the answer" is correct English.
Answer: False
False — 'know' is a state verb and doesn't take the continuous: "I know the answer."
16. 'At the moment' goes with the present continuous.
Answer: True
True — now, right now and at the moment all point to the continuous.
17. "Right now I play football in the park" is correct.
Answer: False
False — 'right now' means in progress: "Right now I'm playing football in the park."
18. You can say "I'm reading a good book" even when you are not reading at this second.
Answer: True
True — the present continuous also describes something you are doing this week or this month, not only at this second.