Use the present simple for things that are always or usually true: habits, routines and facts. Use the present continuous for things happening right now or around now, like a project this week.
The pattern
Maria works at Target.
She is working right now.
01Present simple: habits and facts
Use the present simple for routines, habits and things that are generally true. With he, she and it, add -s or -es: work, works; watch, watches; study, studies.
For questions and negatives, use do or does + the base verb: Does she drive? I don't drive.
- I drink coffee every morning.
- My brother lives in Chicago.
- Water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Does your roommate cook?
- We don't work on Sundays.
02Present continuous: now and around now
Use the present continuous (am, is or are + verb-ing) for an action in progress at this moment. Also use it for temporary situations that are true around now, but not forever.
- I'm texting my roommate right now.
- Sam is staying with his cousin this month.
- They're painting the kitchen this week.
- Look! The bus is coming.
03Time words that help
Some words often go with one tense. They are a good clue, but always think about the meaning.
| Present simple | Present continuous |
|---|---|
| always, usually, often | now, right now |
| sometimes, never | at the moment |
| every day, on Mondays | today, this week |
| once a week | Look! Listen! |
04Verbs we don't usually use with -ing
Some verbs describe states, not actions: like, love, hate, want, need, know, understand, believe, remember, own. We usually use them in the present simple, even when we mean right now.
- I need a new phone charger.
- Do you know the Wi-Fi password?
- She wants iced tea, not coffee.
05Common mistakes
She work at a hospital.
She works at a hospital.
With he, she and it, a present simple verb needs -s.
I'm knowing the answer.
I know the answer.
Know is a state verb, so we don't usually use it with -ing.
Look! It rains.
Look! It's raining.
The rain is happening now, so use the present continuous.
Are you like pizza?
Do you like pizza?
Present simple questions use do or does, not am, is or are.