Present simple vs present continuous

Grammar infographic showing the structure of the Present Simple tense in English, including positive forms, negative forms, questions, and short answers for A1 elementary learners.

Grammar chart demonstrating Present Simple tense spelling rules for third-person singular subjects (he, she, it) with examples of verb conjugations and common mistakes.

The spelling of he/she/it is different in the present simple. Check how it changes below. The spelling is the same for all the other persons.

Download full-size image from Pinterest

Present simple – Use

Habits or situations that happen regularly

I wash my hair every day.
I never go to the library.
I sometimes go to the library.

Permanent situations or things that are usually or often true

Adverbs of frequency

We often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency (always, sometimes, etc.) and expressions of frequency (once every three months, twice a week, every other day, etc.).

Adverbs of frequency go in mid position (before the main verb or after be).

Expressions of frequency go at the end of the sentence

Present continuous – Form and spelling

Grammar chart showing the form of the Present Continuous tense in positive, negative, and question forms, including short answers and spelling rules for -ing words.

Download full-size image from Pinterest

Present continuous – Use

Actions in progress

We use the present continuous to talk about things that are happening now or ‘around now’ (a time around this moment, such as these days, weeks or months)

I can’t talk now. I’ m brushing my teeth.
I finished the Lord of the Rings and now I’ m reading a new book.

Temporary actions

The present continuous is used for temporary actions:

I’ m going to work by bus this week because my car is at the garage.
I’ m living with my cousins temporarily.

With expressions meaning ‘now’ or ‘around now’.

The present continuous often appears next to expressions such as now, these days, this week/month, or at the moment.

Stative verbs

Non–action verbs (or stative verbs) cannot be used in the present continuous. They must be used in the present simple. The most frequent are the verbs of the senses (hear, see, smell, etc. ), verbs of opinion (believe, consider, like, love, hate, prefer, think, etc.), and other verbs like be, have, need, want, etc.

Present simple vs present continuous

Educational grammar chart comparing Present Simple and Present Continuous tenses, <a href= highlighting their uses, with signal words and examples of each." width="500" height="500" />

Download full-size image from Pinterest

We are working on this!

We're developing a NEW LEARNING PLATFORM with a subscription plan that includes additional features at an affordable price. One of those features will be PDF downloads. Learn more!