PRESENT SIMPLE/ PRESENT CONTINIOUS

PRESENT SIMPLE

Whe use the Present Simple to express the idea that an action is repeated or usual. The action can be a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens. It can also be something a person often forgets or usually does not do. Examples:

• I play tennis.
• She does not play tennis.
• Does he play tennis?
• The train leaves every morning at 8 AM.
• The train does not leave at 9 AM.
• When does the train usually leave?
• He never forgets his watch.
• Every twelve months the Earth circles the Sun.

The Present Simple can also indicate the speaker believes that a fact was true before, is true now, and will be true in the future. It is not important if the speaker is correct about the fact. It is also used to make generalizations about people or things. Examples:

• Cats like milk.
• Birds do not like milk.
• Do pigs like milk?
• California is in America.
• California is not in the United Kingdom.
• Windows are made of glass.

Speakers occasionally use Present Simple to talk about scheduled events in the near future. This is most commonly done when talking about public transportation, but it can be used with other scheduled events as well. Examples:

• The train leaves tonight at 9 PM.
• The bus does not arrive at 12 AM, it arrives at 8 PM.
• When do we board the plane?
• The celebration starts at 10 o'clock.
• When does english class begin tomorrow?

Speakers sometimes use the Present Simple to express the idea that an action is happening or is not happening now.

• I am here.
• She is not here right now.
• He needs help right now.
• He does not need help with that.
• He has his passport in his hand.

PRESENT CONTINIOUS

Use the Present Continuous with normal verbs to express the idea that something is happening now, at this 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?

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:

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

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 she coming with us today?

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 present simple, 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.

It is important to remember that noun-continious verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses. Instead of using Present Continuous with these verbs, you must use present simple. Examples:

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

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

• You are still drawing.
• Are you still drawing?

Active/Passive. Examples:

• Right now, Tom is writing the letter. Active
• Right now, the letter is being written by Tom. Passive