Present Simple and Present Continuous (progressive) - differences

The present simple tense describes routine actions or facts, while the present continuous tense describes actions in progress or temporary situations happening at the time of speaking. In this article we describe the details

Table of Contents

Present simple

The present simple tense is used to describe routine, habit, fact, and general truths. It is also used to talk about things in the present that are always true, as well as future events that are scheduled. The present simple is formed by using the base form of the verb (infinitive without ‘to’).

Examples:

I drink coffee every morning. (routine/habit)
She lives in New York City. (fact)
The earth revolves around the sun. (general truth)
The train arrives at 9 PM. (future event)

Sentence construction

Constructing sentences in the present simple tense is not hard. The only thing we have to remember is to add the suffix –s/es/ies to verbs in sentences with the 3rd person singular. Another useful piece of information is to know how to use the verb „do/does“ in questions as well as in negative sentences.

Examples of sentences of Present simple tense

Questions:

Negative sentences:

Affirmative sentences:

Present continuous (progressive)

The present continuous tense, on the other hand, is used to describe actions that are currently in progress, as well as temporary or unfinished actions or situations. It is also used to talk about future arrangements. The present continuous (also known as present progressive) is formed by using a form of the verb “to be” (am, is, are) followed by the present participle (-ing) of the main verb.

Examples:

I am drinking coffee right now. (currently in progress)
She is living in New York City for the summer. (temporary situation)
The construction workers are building a new skyscraper. (unfinished action)
We are meeting for lunch tomorrow. (future arrangement)

In summary, the present simple tense is used for routines, facts, general truths, and scheduled events, while the present continuous tense is used for actions in progress, temporary or unfinished actions or situations, and future arrangements.

Sentence construction

Construction of sentences in the present continuous is easy. The only thing you have to know is that you need to add the suffix – ing to the main verb in its base form and add the auxiliary verb „to be“ after the subject. First and foremost, we must know how to use the verb „to be“ depending on the subject. See examples.

More examples of Present Continuous sentences

Present Continuous Affirmative:

Present Continuous Negative:

Present Continuous Questions:

Compare sentences in present simple and present continuous tense.

Present Simple	Present Continuous
She reads a book before bed.	She is reading a book before bed.
I drink coffee every morning.	I am drinking coffee right now.
They watch movies on Friday nights.	They are watching a movie right now.
He studies English at the university.	He is studying English at the moment.
We play basketball on weekends.	We are playing basketball right now.
She listens to music while she works.	She is listening to music while she works.
The train arrives at 9 PM.	The train is arriving at 9 PM.
He eats a sandwich for lunch every day.	He is eating a sandwich for lunch today.
They visit their grandparents every Sunday.	They are visiting their grandparents today.
The sun sets in the west.	The sun is setting in the west.

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