ENG_B1.1.

0204G

Present Simple vs.

Present Continuous
Grammar Basics
Grammar & Structure
Level B1

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Present Simple vs. Present Continuous Outline

Content
In this lesson you will learn all the uses of the present tenses.

Learning Outcomes
• Learn every use of the present simple tense.
• Learn every use of the present continuous tense.
• Write sentences with both tenses.

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Vocabulary

Common Present Simple Verbs

Know Want

Need
Believe

Fear

Hate

Come
Mean
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Present Tense

Please note
English has two present tenses, the Present
Simple, which talks about something that
routinely happens, and the Present Continuous,
which signifies the present moment.

Examples:

I usually wake up at 9:00 = A routine event that happens

I am playing golf with my colleagues = An event happening at this moment

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Present Tense

Please note
The simple present is used for repeated
actions and habits

Examples
I play the drums

My friend always works on Sundays

She smokes every time she drinks.

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Exercises

Writing
Create three sentences about habits or
daily routines
Example:
My kids watch TV every morning while eating breakfast.

1) _________________________________

2) _________________________________

3) _________________________________

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Present Tense

Please note

The simple present is also used for facts

Examples
Denmark is in Europe.

Girls like flowers and horses.

The Queen lives in a castle.

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Exercises

Writing

Create three factual sentences

1) _________________________________

2) _________________________________

3) _________________________________

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Present Tense

Please note
The simple present can be used to talk about
the near future

Examples
Class begins at 9:30.

Her flight arrives later tonight.

My train leaves soon.

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Exercises

Writing

Create three sentences in the near future

Example:
The movie starts in 5 minutes!

1) _________________________________

2) _________________________________

3) _________________________________

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Present Tense

Please note

The simple present is used with state verbs

Examples
These children need your help.

I don‘t want to be alone.

I understand everything she says..

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Exercises

Writing

Create three sentences with state verbs

Example:
I don‘t need your negativity in my life!

1) _________________________________

2) _________________________________

3) _________________________________

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Present Continuous

Please note
The present continuous is used to talk about
what is happening right now
Subject Verb ‘to be‘ Verb-ing ...
I am eating now

Examples
She‘s sleeping at the moment.

My kids are playing video games with their cousins.

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Exercises

Writing
Create three sentences talking about
what is happening right now
Example:
My mother is working now!

1) _________________________________

2) _________________________________

3) _________________________________

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Present Continuous

Please note
The present continuous is used to talk about
actions in progress

Examples
I am studying to become a teacher.

She is working to get enough money for a boat.

He is trying to open the door.

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Exercises

Writing
Create three sentences talking about
actions in progress
Example:
My daughter is training to be a karate master.

1) _________________________________

2) _________________________________

3) _________________________________

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Present Continuous

Please note
The present continuous is also used to talk
about the near future

Examples
I‘m leaving work at 9:00

We‘re playing ping-pong later on.

I‘m having dinner at my parent‘s place tonight.

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Exercises

Writing
Create three sentences talking about
actions in the near future
Example:
The kids are coming soon!

1) _________________________________

2) _________________________________

3) _________________________________

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Present Continuous

Please note
The present continuous is for repeated
actions (with always)

Examples
They are always getting into trouble.

She is always calling me when I‘m with my wife.

I am always forgetting my keys.

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Exercises

Speaking
Present simple or present continuous?
Choose the correct verb tense.
1) I am ____ (play) video games when I should ______ (work).

2) JoJo _____ (visit) her uncle every Saturday afternoon while the family is
______(watch) football.

3) The best coffee ____ from Colombia.

4) She can‘t _____ (stay) out late tonight, she ______ (work) very early tomorrow
morning.

5) I don‘t have much free time these days because I ______ (prepare) for my
entrance exam.
6) Can you please ______ (bring) my cat food, he _____ (need) to eat cat food, not
human food.
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Exercises

Speaking
Present simple or present continuous?
Choose the correct verb tense.
1) You _____ (have) a test tomorrow. You must study if you _____ (try) to get into
university.
2) The new research _______ (claim) that we ______ (work) more efficiently while
we are standing.
3) I don‘t want to live in England because it’s always ______ (rain)

4) On Sundays, we ____ (eat) pizza with everyone in the band.

5) I usually ____ (clean) my house when the seasons ______ (change)

6) The couple is _____ (get) a divorce because he is always ______ (cheat)

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Exercises

Speaking
Look at the picture. Write two sentences in
the present simple and two in the present
continuous.

1) _________________________

2) _________________________

3) _________________________
4) _________________________

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Thank you

We would like to thank

the following sources for their content
Images Shutterstock – ID 19524277
Shutterstock – ID 199989029

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Thank you
for choosing to learn
with

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