English Grammar - Present Simple and the Present Continuous

The present simple is used to talk about fixed habits or routines - things that don't change.

The present continuous is used to describe actions which are happening at the present moment but can change or finish.

Present simple	Present continuous
I play tennis	I am playing tennis
You play tennis	You are playing tennis
He/She/It plays tennis	He/She/It is playing
We play tennis	We are playing tennis
They play tennis	They are playing tennis.

It is slightly difficult to differentiate between the two tenses and when to use them. Here are some time expressions such as 'every' and 'sometimes' - used with the present simple and 'now' and 'today' - used with the present continuous.

Time expressions using the present simple	Time expressions using the present continuous
Every - used with segments of time such as days, months and years. She travels to Las Vegas every year. Jack exercises every day.	Now - Max is watching TV now. At the moment - Tilly is doing her homework at the moment.
Sometimes - used to describe occasional actions. They sometimes play golf.	Today - I'm working at school today.

Examples of the Present Simple:

I play football.

I have 2 dogs.

I  am 20.

Examples of the Present Continuous:

The sun is shining right now.

We are learning English.

I am teaching the present continuous right now.

Present continuous - Positive form

Subject + to be (am, are, is) + present participle (ing form of verb) + object.

Mark is working in the garage at the moment.

We are meeting Tom at five o'clock.

Present Continuous  - Negative Form

Subject + to be (am, are, is) + not + verb + objects.

Mary is not (isn't)  watching TV now.

They are not (aren't)  working now - they are having a break.

Is she playing football? - No, she is not  (isn't) playing football. She is playing golf.

Is he wearing trainers? - No, he is wearing boots.

Abbreviations:  

Are used in an informal context. Formal phrases such as "They are not working" change into 'They aren't working'.

Another example is "She is not here", which will change into "She isn't here".

Present Continuous Question Form

(Question word) + to be (am, are, is) + subject + present participle (ing form of the verb)?

What are you doing?

Where is Matt hiding?

What are they eating?

Present Continuous Activity

The children ____________________(play) outside at the moment.

Pauline _________________________(live) in Hong Kong now.

Alexander_______________________(study) for his exams at the moment.

Where________________(you - meet) Carla next week?

She __________________(eat) chicken for lunch.

He _________________(read) a new book now.

They __________________________(prepare) for the English exam next week.

When_______________________(you - have) lunch tomorrow?

We ____________________(joke)!

What____________________(you- do)?

He_____________________(bake) a cake now.

Tom ____________________(work). Can I take a message?

We rarely go out for dinner, but this week we_______________________(go) out on Saturday.

Janet__________________________________(have/eat) breakfast at the moment.





Answers:
1) The children are playing outside at the moment.
2) Pauline is living in Hong Kong now.
3) Alexander is studying for his exams at the moment.
4)Where are you meeting Carla next week?
5) She is eating chicken for lunch.
6) He is reading a new book now.
7) They are preparing for the English exam next week.
8) When are you having lunch tomorrow?
9) We are joking!
10) What are you doing?
11) He is baking a cake now.
12) Tom is working. Can I take a message?
13) We rarely go out for dinner but this week we are going out on Saturday.
14) Janet is eating/ having breakfast at the moment.