Present Simple and Present Continuous

'I surf / I am surfing.'

What's the difference between the Present Simple / Present Continuous and how to use them?

We use the present simple tense when we want to talk about fixed habits or routines – things that don’t change.

We use the present continuous to talk about actions which are happening at the present moment, but will soon finish.

Compare these two statements:

I play tennis. (present simple) I am playing tennis. (present continuous)

(Present simple) ‘I play tennis’ tells us that playing tennis is something the speaker always does. It is part of a routine or habit. We can call this a permanent situation.

(Present continuous/ progressive) ‘I am playing tennis’ tells us that the speaker is playing tennis right now. Soon the game will be over. We call this a temporary situation.

With the present simple we say: With the present continuous we say:

I play tennis I am playing tennis

You play tennis You are playing tennis

He/she/it plays tennis He/she/ it is playing tennis.

We play tennis We are playing tennis

They play tennis They are playing tennis

Frequency Adverbs we use with the Present Simple

With the present simple we use these frequency adverbs:

(Notice that the adverb comes before the main verb in the sentence.)

Always: ‘I always read before I go to bed.’

Often: ‘Her sister often comes shopping with us.’ (Frequentemente)

Frequently: ‘Michael frequently visits his family.’

Sometimes: ‘You sometimes go to the gym, don’t you?’ (Às Vezes)

Occasionally: ‘It occasionally rains in summer.’ (Ocasionalmente)

Seldom: ‘They seldom ask for help.’ (Raramente)

Rarely: ‘He rarely goes out without his backpack.’ (Raramente)

Hardly ever: ‘I hardly ever eat pizza.’ (Quase nunca)

Never: ‘Japanese people never wear shoes inside.’ (Nunca)

Time Expressions we use with the Present Continuous

With the present continuous we use these time expressions:

(Notice that the time expression can come at the start or at the end of the sentence.)

At the moment: ‘I’m watching TV, at the moment.’ (Neste momento)

These days: ‘Paul’s living in Cardiff, these days.’ (Nestes dias)

Now: ‘What are you doing, now?’ (Agora)

Nowadays: ‘I think you are smoking too much, nowadays.’ (Hoje em dia)

EXERCISES:

1. Complete these sentences below using either the present simple or present continuous.

(Play) I   golf every weekend.

(Play) The children  outside at the moment.

(Work) Haruka   today.

(Work) You can’t borrow my lawnmower because it doesn’t 

(Make) Smells good! What are you  ?

(Make) My husband never   me breakfast.

(Live) Pauline is   in Hong Kong.

2. Complete the sentences with the present simple or present continuous form of the verbs in brackets. Use contractions where possible.

1. She (run) because she's late for her lesson.

2. Our teacher always (give) us lots of homework.

3. We (not want) to go to the concert.

4. What time (you / meet) Pete tomorrow?

5. I (not work) today. I'm on holiday.

6. People (speak) English in Jamaica.

7. Archie (not use) his computer at the moment.

8. (Tony / live) near the park?