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Present Simple or Present Continuous?

Introduction

The simple present tense is often confused with the present continuous tense. This page will explain when to use each one.

1. The simple present tense

The simple present tense is used for two main types of action:

Habits	Actions which happen regularly (for example, every day or every week)
States	Things which do not often change (for example, opinions and conditions)

Some examples will help to make this clearer:

Type of action	Examples	Explanations
Habit	Young-Mi goes to class every day.	“Every day” is a habit.
	It rains a lot in Vancouver.	This means that it rains often.
	Santos always talks about his family.	“Always” means this is a habit.
	Jerry spends Christmas with his parents.	This implies that he spends Christmas with his parents every year.
State	Bianca lives in Florida.	This is a state, because it doesn't change.
	Jean-Paul has red hair.	Someone's hair colour doesn't usually change.
	Martin likes chocolate.	When we like something, usually we will always like it.
	Anna believes in God.	Beliefs and opinions are states. They don't often change.

2. The present continuous tense

The present continuous tense is used for two main types of action:

A temporary action happening now	Something which is going on right now (but it will stop in the future)
A definite plan for the future	Something we intend to do, usually in the near future

Here are some examples:

Type of action	Examples	Explanations
Temporary action happening right now	John is winning the game.	Right now, John is winning, but the game isn't finished yet.
	It's raining outside.	It's raining right now (but it may stop soon).
	Soraya's working in the library.	She's working there right now.
	Sihol is spending Christmas with his family.	He's spending Christmas with his family right now, this year. (Maybe next year he won't.)
Definite plan for the future	I'm playing soccer tomorrow.	This plan is already arranged and definite.
	Sarah's leaving for San Francisco on Friday.	She has probably already bought her ticket.
	The Olympics are taking place here next year.	This is already certain.
	I'm having a party next week.	All the plans have been made.

When you are sure that you understand the lesson, you can continue with the exercises.

Continue with the exercises

Present Continuous vs Present Simple

Form

Simple Present	Present Progressive
infinitive (3rd person singular: infinitive + 's') I speak you speak he / she / it speaks we speak they speak	form of 'be' and verb + ing I am speaking you are speaking he / she / it is speaking we are speaking they are speaking
Exceptions
Exceptions when adding 's' : For can, may, might, must, do not add s. Example: he can, she may, it must After o, ch, sh or s, add es. Example: do - he does, wash - she washes After a consonant, the final consonant ybecomes ie. (but: not after a vowel) Example: worry - he worries but: play - he plays	Exceptions when adding 'ing' : Silent e is dropped. (but: does not apply for -ee) Example: come - coming but: agree - agreeing After a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled. Example: sit - sitting After a vowel, the final consonant l is doubled in British English (but not in American English). Example: travel - travelling (British English) but: traveling (American English) Final ie becomes y. Example: lie - lying

See also explanations on Simple Present and Present Progressive

Use

In general or right now?

Do you want to express that something happens in general or that something is happening right now?

Simple Present	Present Progressive
in general (regularly, often, never) Colin plays football every Tuesday. present actions happening one after another First Colin plays football, then he watches TV.	right now Look! Colin is playing football now. also for several actions happening at the same time Colin is playing football and Anne is watching.
Signal words
always every ... often normally usually sometimes seldom never first then	at the moment at this moment today now right now Listen! Look!
Note: The following verbs are usually only used in Simple Present: be, have, hear, know, like, love, see, smell, think, want

Timetable / Schedule or arrangement?

Do you want to express that something is arranged for the near future? Or do you refer to a time set by a timetable or schedule?

Simple Present	Present Progressive
action set by a timetable or schedule The film starts at 8 pm.	arrangement for the near future I am going to the cinema tonight.

Daily routine or just for a limited period of time?

Do you want to talk about a daily routine? Or do you want to emphasis that something is only going on for a limited (rather short) period of time?

Simple Present	Present Progressive
daily routine Bob works in a restaurant.	only for a limited period of time (does not have to happen directly at the moment of speaking) Jenny is working in a restaurant this week.

Certain Verbs

The following verbs are usually only used in Simple Present (not in the progressive form).

• state: be, cost, fit, mean, suit
  Example: We are on holiday.
• possession: belong, have
  Example: Sam has a cat.
• senses: feel, hear, see, smell, taste, touch
  Example: He feels the cold.
• feelings: hate, hope, like, love, prefer, regret, want, wish
  Example: Jane loves pizza.
• brain work: believe, know, think, understand
  Example: I believe you.
• Introductory clauses for direct speech: answer, ask, reply, say
  Example: “I am watching TV,“ he says.

Exercises on Simple Present and Present Progressive

• Exercise 1, Exercise 2, Exercise 3, Exercise 4, Exercise 5, Exercise 6
• Exercise 7, Exercise 8
• Exercise 9, Exercise 10, Exercise 11, Exercise 12

Tests on Simple Present and Present Progressive

• Test 1
• Test 2
• Test 3

What't the weather like?

Exercise 1, 2, 3
Play this game.

Present Continuous

Hi there! I'm The Present Continuous Guy. I'm here to tell you what I'm doing at the moment because my life is changing a lot these days.  Now I'm not studying, but I'm working in a Body Piercing Tattoo shop. I like tattoos. At the moment I'm wearing nine tattoos and ten piercings.

At present I'm playing the guitar in a heavy metal group called "Metal Bananas".

This evening I' m playing with some friends in Marbella in a birthday party. I' m going out with a girl, but she's working in the disco today. She isn't coming with me to the party. Are you coming with me guys?

Comprehension
Si quieres aprender cómo se forma y cuándo se usa el Present Continuous haz click en los siguientes apartados:
Present Continuous Form
Present Continuous Use
Practica lo aprendido con los siguientes ejercicios:
"Let's practise"

Form	Use	Contrast
Exercise 1 Exercise 2 Exercise 3	Exercise 1	Exercise 1 Exercise 2

FORM

[am/is/are + present participle]

Examples:

• You are watching TV.
• Are you watching TV?
• You are not watching TV.

Complete List of Present Continuous Forms

USE 1 Now

Use the Present Continuous with Normal Verbs to express the idea that something is happening now, at this very moment. It can also be used to show that something is not happening now.

Examples:

• You are learning English now.
• You are not swimming now.
• Are you sleeping?
• I am sitting.
• I am not standing.
• Is he sitting or standing?
• They are reading their books.
• They are not watching television.
• What are you doing?
• Why aren't you doing your homework?

USE 2 Longer Actions in Progress Now

In English, "now" can mean: this second, today, this month, this year, this century, and so on. Sometimes, we use the Present Continuous to say that we are in the process of doing a longer action which is in progress; however, we might not be doing it at this exact second.

Examples: (All of these sentences can be said while eating dinner in a restaurant.)

• I am studying to become a doctor.
• I am not studying to become a dentist.
• I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.
• I am not reading any books right now.
• Are you working on any special projects at work?
• Aren't you teaching at the university now?

USE 3 Near Future

Sometimes, speakers use the Present Continuous to indicate that something will or will not happen in the near future.

Examples:

• I am meeting some friends after work.
• I am not going to the party tonight.
• Is he visiting his parents next weekend?
• Isn't he coming with us tonight?

USE 4 Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

The Present Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the idea that something irritating or shocking often happens. Notice that the meaning is like Simple Present, but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words "always" or "constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing."

Examples:

• She is always coming to class late.
• He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up.
• I don't like them because they are always complaining.

REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Present Continuous with these verbs, you must use Simple Present.

Examples:

• She is loving this chocolate ice cream. Not Correct
• She loves this chocolate ice cream. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

• You are still watching TV.
• Are you still watching TV?

EXERCISES 

• Verb Tense Exercise 1 Simple Present and Present Continuous
• Verb Tense Exercise 2 Simple Present and Present Continuous

Watch this video:

La estructura básica del presente continuo:

Present Continuous Tense - English Grammar - by Englischbox on Youtube

           The Present Continuous Tense by learnamericanenglish on Youtube

Otro en Castellano: Presente Continuo
La estructura básica del afirmativo del presente continuo: (somebody=alguien; somewhere-algún sitio; something=algo)

	suj	aux	verbo
	I	am	eating	something.	Estoy comiendo algo.
	You	are	talking	to somebody.	Estas hablando con alguien.
	He	is	listening	to something.	Está escuchando algo. (él)
	She	is	reading	something.	Está leyendo algo. (ella)
	It	is	going	somewhere.	Va a algún sitio.
	You	are	looking	at something.	Mirais algo.
	We	are	wearing	something.	Llevamos algo puesto.
	They	are	sitting	somewhere.	Están sentados en algún sitio.

Practicar:

Present Continous Activities - Escucha las oraciones en presente continuo y haz las actividades.

Nota: Con el presente continuo se utilizan dos verbos: la forma correspondiente del verbo "to be" como verbo auxilar y la forma básica del verbo (el infinitivo) como verbo principal (más "ing").
Nota: Normalmente, simplemente se añade "ing" al verbo para formar el verbo principal (Llamado "presente participio" por unos y forma "-ing" por otros). En los verbos de una sola sílaba que acaban en una vocal y una consonante, se dobla la consonante: "sit" = "sitting". En los verbos que acaban en una vocal, una consonante y "e", se quita la "e" y se reemplaza con "ing": "write" = "writing", "rate" = "rating", "like" = "liking".

Una diferencia entre el presente continuo y el presente simple: Algunas ideas en inglés pueden sonar un tanto absurdas a oídos españoles si se traducen directamente. Por ejemplo, "We are wearing something" equivale a "Llevamos algo puesto" y no "Estamos llevando algo puesto", o "They are sitting" equivale a "Están sentados" y no "Están sentándose" como en español. La razón por la que utilizamos el presente continuo para describir estas situaciones es que el presente simple en inglés se limita a describir hábitos y características (o verdades generales). En otras palabras, si utilizáramos el presente simple para decir "we wear something" sonaría a que tenemos ese hábito o característica. (Por ejemplo: "Llevamos puesto algo todos los días" o "Llevamos puesto algo por regla general".)

La estructura básica del negativo del presente continuo:

suj	aux		verbo
I	am	not	eating	something.	No estoy comiendo algo.
You	are	not	talking	to somebody.	No estas hablando con alguien.
He	is	not	listening	to something.	No está escuchando algo. (él)
She	is	not	reading	something.	No está leyendo algo. (ella)
It	is	not	going	somewhere.	No va a algún sitio.
You	are	not	looking	at something.	No mirais algo.
We	are	not	wearing	something.	No llevamos algo puesto.
They	are	not	sitting	somewhere.	No están sentados en algún sitio.

Nota: Contracciones: Se suele contraer "It is" con "it's", "it is not" con "it's not" o "it isn't", "you are" con "you're", "we are not" con "we're not" o "we aren't", "that is" con "that's", "that is not" con "that's not" o "that isn't", etc. (Nota: "I am not" solamente se contrae con "I'm not").
La estructura básica del interrogativo del presente continuo: (anywhere = alguna o cualquier parte, anybody = cualquiera, alguien, anything = cualquier cosa, algo)

	aux	suj	verbo
	Am	I	eating	something?	¿Estoy comiendo algo?
	Are	you	talking	to somebody?	¿Estas hablando con alguien?
	Is	he	listening	to something?	¿Está escuchando algo? (él)
	Is	she	reading	something?	¿Está leyendo algo? (ella)
	Is	it	going	somewhere?	¿Va a algún sitio?
	Are	you	looking	at something?	¿Mirais algo?
	Are	we	wearing	something?	¿Llevamos algo puesto?
	Are	they	sitting	somewhere?	¿Están sentados en algún sitio?

Nota: La palabra "some" y "any" a veces significan lo mismo. La principal diferencia es que "some" se suele utilizar para afirmativas y "any" para negativas y interrogativas.
Nota: En el presente continuo interrogativo simplemente se intercambia el verbo "to be" con el sujeto para hacer la pregunta.
La estructura básica de las respuestas cortas del presente continuo (e iguales a las del verbo "to be"):

	Af.					Neg.
	Yes,	I am.				No,	I'm not.
	Yes,	you are.				No,	you aren't. (you're not)
	Yes,	he is.				No,	he isn't. (he's not)
	Yes,	she is.				No,	she isn't. (she's not)
	Yes,	it is.				No,	it isn't. (it's not)
	Yes,	we are.				No,	we aren't. (we're not)
	Yes,	you are.				No,	you aren't. (you're not)
	Yes,	they are.				No,	they aren't. (they're not)

International Women's Day

On International Women's Day, 8 March 2013, UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet stresses that discrimination and violence against women and girls have no place in the 21st century. "Enough is enough," she says in a message of both outrage and hope that discrimination and violence must end.

 For more information on International Women's Day, visit:http://www.unwomen.org/how-we-work/cs...

From China to Costa Rica, from Mali to Malaysia acclaimed singers and musicians, women and men, have come together to spread a message of unity and solidarity: We are "One Woman".

Launching on International Women's Day, 8 March 2013, the song is a rallying cry that inspires listeners to join the drive for women's rights and gender equality. "One Woman" was written for UN Women, the global champion for women and girls worldwide, to celebrate its mission and work to improve women's lives around the world.

This year, International Women’s Day focuses on ending violence against women — a gross human rights violation that affects up to 7 in 10 women and a top priority for UN Women. As commemorations are underway in all corners of the globe, "One Woman" reminds us that together, we can overcome violence and discrimination: "We Shall Shine!" Join us to help spread the word and enjoy this musical celebration of women worldwide.

For more information, visit http://song.unwomen.org

Happy International Women's Day!

Learning English with songs: Lyrics training

I know you all love singing and especially in English! Listening to songs in English is a great way to learn the language. but be careful because sometimes the lyrics are not always gramatically correct!!

I’d like to tell you about a FANTASTIC website where you can practise and listen to songs called lyricstraining.

It’s easy to use : choose a song, select the level, and listen to and watch the video and practise your listening.You can fill in the gaps or just listen and follow the lyrics by selecting ‘karaoke’. 

If you want the lyrics in your language, select the language below and you will see the translation appear sentence by sentence under the lyrics.

                    HAVE FUN !!!!

Source: EOI Elx