How to use Present Simple and Present Continuous

We use Present Simple if:

1. things happen repeatedly

What do they usually read at weekends?

(You can’t say ‘What are they usually reading?’ in this context because the action happens regularly

Jane does her homework every day.

2. things happen in general

Most people learn to swim when they are children.

It means that this situation is typical and it happens to most people. This action doesn’t refer to the moment of speaking.

3. the action is a scientific fact

Every day the population of the world increases by 200,000 people.

4. the situation is permanent

You work hard most of the time.

I’m living with my friends until I find a place of my own.

5. the situation happens according to the programme or timetable

The film begins at 4.30.

We use Present continuous for:

1 actions happening at the time of speaking:

Please don’t switch on the TV. I’m reading.

(You can’t say ‘I read’ in this context because the action is happening now)

‘Where’s Jane?’ ‘She’s doing her English homework.’

2 actions not necessarily happening at the time of speaking.

I’m learning to swim. My father is teaching me.

It means that he is not learning to swim at the time of speaking. It means that he is in the middle of doing it.

3 changing or developing situations (to show the dynamics)

The population of the world is increasing very fast.

4 temporary situations

You’re working hard today.

I live with my parents. I have lived with them all my life.

5 fixed arrangements in the near future

I’m flying to London next Monday.

6 situations to express annoyance or criticism (with always)

She is always complaining.

Time expressions

Always, usually, often, sometimes, hardly ever, occasionally, from time to time, seldom, rarely, never.

He often goes to the theatre. (adverb is placed before the main verb)

He is often late. (adverb is placed after the verb to be)

Every day/week/month/ year

once a year/ twice a week/three times a day

Now, at the moment, at present, currently, these days

I’m working hard these days.

Tonight, tomorrow, next week/month/Monday

I’m going to the cinema tonight.

Mental and Emotional States

believe, dislike, doubt, imagine, know, like, love, hate, prefer, realize, recognize, remember, suppose, understand, want, wish

Examples

She dislikes that boy. NOT She is disliking that boy. Jack prefers going out for dinner tonight. NOT Jack is preferring going out for dinner tonight. I recognize you! NOT I'm recognizing you!

Sense

appear, hear, see, seem, smell, sound, taste

Examples

It tastes strange. NOT It is tasting strange. Do you hear that? NOT Are you hearing that?

Communication

agree, astonish, deny, disagree, impress, mean, please, promise, satisfy, surprise

Examples

You astonish me! NOT You are astonishing me! I'm afraid I disagree with you. NOT I'm afraid I am disagreeing with you.

Other States

be, belong, concern, consist, contain, cost, depend, deserve, fit, include, involve, lack, matter, need, owe, own, possess

Examples

It depends on how much it costs. NOT It is depending on how much it is costing. She said it involved a lot of work. NOT She said it was involving a lot of work. It doesn't matter. NOT It isn't mattering.

Non-Continuous Meanings

Continuous Meanings

feel = 'have an opinion'

- He feels he should get a second chance.

feel = 'feel physically'

- I'm feeling awful this afternoon.

see = 'understand'

- I see what you mean.

see = 'visit'

- She's seeing a doctor this morning.

think = 'have an opinion'

- I think we should leave immediately!

think = 'use the brain'

- He's thinking hard about the problem.

appear = 'look like'

- That appears to be stale.

appear = 'be on stage / perform'

- Jack Daniels is appearing at the Paramount tonight.

look = 'seem'

- It looks impossible!

look = 'stare at'

- I'm looking at that strange man.

taste = 'have a taste'

- That tastes yummy

taste = 'use the mouth'

- The cook is tasting the sauce!

be = ‘auxiliary verb’

She is a nurse

Be =behave, act

She’s being rude these days (It means she is behaving rude at the moment)