Present simple & present continuous Notes

Present simple & present continuous

We use the Present Simple to talk about things which happen: always, often, generally, usually, normally, every week etc. and we use the Present Continuous to talk about things which are happening at this moment, now.

Example:

1. I often play chess. (Simple present)
2. I am playing chess. (Present continuous)

We use the Present Simple to talk about things which are unchanging for a long time. They are permanent and we use the Present Continuous to talk about things which may change. They are temporary.

Example:

1. I work for a private company. (Simple present)
2. In summers I am doing a government project. (Present continuous)

There are some verbs which we do not use in the Continuous form:

1. belong

2. cost

3. hate

4. love

5. have

6. understand

7. smell

8. hear

9. want

10. know

11. like

We use the Present Simple to talk about the future when there is a fixed timetable.

We often use it to talk about travel times, film times, school times etc.:

1. The train leaves in ten minutes from now.
2. The film starts at 9 ‘o'clock tomorrow.
3. Does the flight leave at 7.30 on Friday ?
4. The show doesn't finish until 5.00 p.m. tomorrow.

We don't use the Present Simple if we have made a personal or temporary arrangement:

1. I am meeting my friend Kavish at 10 o'clock. (Not: l MEET...)
2. We're going on holiday on Sunday. (Not: I go...)
3. What are you doing on Sunday? (Not: What do you do... ?)

Sometimes Present Simple and Present Continuous questions have different meanings:

Examples:

1. What do you do? (What is your job?)

Possible answers:                  

I'm a doctor,   or  I work in a hospital.

2. What are you doing? (What are you doing at this moment?) or What are you doing these days?

Possible answers:

I'm doing my homework, or I'm studying my Science book or I’m reading a comic.

3. How do you go to school? (How do you go to school every day?)

Possible answers:

I usually go by bus.  or  I always walk to school.

4. How are you going to school? (How are you going to school today?

Possible answers:

I'm going by bus today,  or  I'm walking today.