A1/A2 · Grammar
Present simple or present continuous?
After this page you can choose between habits and things happening now, use the right time words and use verbs like like, want and know correctly.
Rules
1.
Habits and facts or now?
- Anna works in a bank. At the moment she is talking to a customer.
- My parents live in Leeds. This week they're staying with us.
- I walk to work every day, but today I'm taking a taxi.
- The museum opens at ten. Look, people are going in now.
Use the present simple for habits, routines and facts. Use the present continuous for actions now and around now. The action is happening and is not finished.
Two present forms
- present simple: I work · she works → again and again, always true
- present continuous: I'm working · she's working → now, today, this week
Ask: is it normal, again and again? → present simple. Is it happening now? → present continuous.
again and again → I work
now → I'm working
2.
Time words help you
- Lucy usually drinks tea, but today she's drinking coffee.
- We go swimming every Saturday.
- Shh! Tom is on the phone at the moment. He's talking to his boss.
- Listen! Someone is playing the piano.
Some time words go with the present simple. Others go with the present continuous. usually, often, always, never go before the main verb.
Which form?
- present simple: every day · usually · often · always · never · on Mondays · at the weekend
- present continuous: now · right now · at the moment · today · this week · Look! · Listen!
usually, every day → I drink tea.
now, today → I'm drinking coffee.
3.
Verbs for states: like, want, know …
- I know his phone number.
- Do you understand this email?
- Ahmed wants a new laptop.
- We need some milk now.
Some verbs are not actions. They are states: what you think, feel, want or have. Normally, these verbs are not in the continuous, even for now.
State verbs
- feelings: like · love · hate · prefer
- wishes: want · need
- thinking: know · understand · remember · mean
- having: have (= own) · belong
I know. (not: I'm knowing.)
She wants a tea now. (not: She's wanting.)
4.
What do you do? or What are you doing?
- What do you do? – I'm a nurse.
- What are you doing? – I'm making a sandwich.
- Do you work on Sundays? – No, I don't.
- Are you working today? – Yes, I am.
Questions with do or does ask about habits, jobs and facts. Questions with am, is or are + -ing ask about now. Negatives work the same way: don't or doesn't for habits, isn't or aren't for now.
Two questions
- What do you do? → What is your job?
- What are you doing? → What is your action now?
- She doesn't drive. (never) · She isn't driving. (not now)
What do you do? → your job
What are you doing? → now
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