In this article, you’re going to see the differences between present continuous versus present simple. Go on reading.
Present Continuous for Things That Are Still Going on
Present Continuous is used to talk about something that is happening at or around the time of speaking. Let’s see the following examples :
- The kettle isn’t working. It broke down yesterday.
- Look at the birds. They are flying to the south.
Present Simple for Habitual Actions or General Truths
Present Simple is used to talk about habitual actions or general truths. Let’s see the following examples :
- Fish live in water.
- Carol checks her email every week.
Verbs That Can Only Be Used in Present Simple: Never in Present Continuous
Some verbs can only be used in Present Simple. Let’s see the following examples :
- I don’t know. Don’t say, “I am not knowing.”
- I like Bergen. Don’t say, “I am liking Bergen.”
Here are the verbs that are normally used in the Present Simple only.
| believe belong forget hate have |
hear know like love mean |
need prefer realize remember see |
seem suppose think understand want |
Notes :
Have is used only in the Present Simple when it means possess. Think is only used in the Present Simple when it means believe.
See the following Present Continuous versus Present Simple exercises. They are gradually staged from easy to more difficult exercises.
Present Continuous versus Present Simple Exercises
Exercise I : Understanding Correct Present Continuous and Present Simple
Decide whether the underlined verbs in these sentences are right or wrong. Correct them if they are wrong!
Examples:
I don’t know your telephone number. Right
Please don’t make so much noise. I study Wrong – I am studying.
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Look! Somebody is climbing up that tree over there. ……………………………
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Can you hear those people? What do they talk about? ………………………………
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Are you believing in God ………………
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Look! That man tries to open the door of your room. ………………………………
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The earth goes round the sun. …………
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I’m thinking it would be a good idea to leave early. ……………………………….
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The number of people without jobs is increasing each year. …………………..
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I’m usually going to work by car. ………
Exercise II Producing Correct Present Continuous and Present Simple
Put the verb into the correct form, Present Continuous (I am doing ) or Present Simple (I do).
Examples:
Please don’t make so much noise. I am studying (study).
How many languages does Christopher speak (Christopher/speak)?
This machine doesn’t work (not/work). It hasn’t worked for years.
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I……………………..(not/belong ) to this organization.
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Hurry up! The train………………………….(come). I…………………………………(not/want) to miss it.
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The River Nile ………………(flow) into the Mediterranean sea.
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The river ………………………(flow) very fast today – much faster than usual.
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……………………….(it/ever/snow) in India ?
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We usually …………………… (grow) vegetables in our garden but this year we…………………………….. (not/grow) any
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A: Can you drive? B: No, but I……………… (learn). My father……………(teach) me.
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You can borrow my umbrella. I………………..(not/need) it at the moment.
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I usually …………(enjoy) parties but I ……………(not/enjoy) this one very much.
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George says he’s 17 years old but I ……………….. (not/ believe) him.
Answer
Exercise I
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Right
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Wrong 👉 What are they talking about?
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Wrong 👉 Do you believe in God?
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Wrong 👉 That man is trying to open the door of your room.
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Right
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Wrong 👉 I think it would be a good idea to leave early.
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Right
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Wrong 👉 I usually go to work by car.
Exercise II
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I don’t belong to this organization.
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Hurry up! The train is coming. I don’t want to miss it.
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The River Nile flows into the Mediterranean sea.
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The river is flowing very fast today – much faster than usual.
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Does it ever snow in India ?
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We usually grow vegetables in our garden but this year we are not growing any.
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A: Can you drive? B: No, but I’m learning. My father is teaching me.
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You can borrow my umbrella. I don’t need it at the moment.
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I usually enjoy parties but I am not enjoying this one very much.
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George says he’s 17 years old but I don’t believe him.
Other Exercises
Adjectives Ending in Ing and Ed
When While Past Continuous Exercises with Answers
Future Perfect Continuous
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