Grammar: Present Simple Versus Present Continuous

Present Simple

Subject + bare infinitive
          vs       
Present Continuous
Subject + is/am/are + [verb + ing]

Hello, I'm Laura! My nickname is Lolo. I'm a Canadian EFL teacher who loves to travel! Welcome to Lolo on the Gogo! Please feel free to email me at lolotravelgogo@gmail.com or comment below if you have any questions!

In this English grammar lesson, you will learn the difference between the present simple (simple present) and the present continuous (present progressive).

Present Simple	Present Continuous
Subject + bare infinitive [verb without to]	Subject + is/am/are + [verb + ing]
1.    a habit: I often start work at 8:30. 2.    a fact or something true: The world is round. 3.    timetables: The train leaves at 3:45.	1.    an activity now: I am starting work now. 2.    a temporary activity: You are walking to school. 3.    an arranged future: The train is leaving at 3:45.
I study every day.	I am studying right now.
You play the piano.	You are playing the piano.
She eats pizza.	She is eating pizza.

THE REASON PRESENT CONTINUOUS CAN BE CONFUSING TO STUDENTS:

Many English speakers (INCORRECTLY) use the present continuous to speak about the future.

Example:

(1) I´m going to the mall later.*

(2) I´m going home for summer vacation.*

 *These are technically incorrect 

You can practice with these example sentences. Try to identify which are present simple and which are present continuous. See the answer key below when you are finished.

1. I work from Monday to Friday.

2. I'm working on Tuesday.

3. The basketball game starts at 7:30 am.

4  She sings every day.

5. They're hiking in the mountains.

6. He likes to swim.

7. It's hot outside today.

8. Jupiter is the largest planet.

9. I'm watching t.v. now.

10. She enjoys reading.

Number 10 is a little tricky because you have an -ing suffix; however, if you look at the sentence structure, you can see that we have the following format: subject + bare infinitive [verb without to].

She (subject) enjoys (bare infinitive verb) reading (object). In this case, the object of the sentence is a gerund. 

A gerund is a type of verbal noun that ends with "-ing form". Don't let the inclusion of an "ing" form confuse you. Present simple is always (subject + bare infinitive verb).

Present Simple

Subject + bare infinitive verb

1.    a habit: I start the day by reading the newspaper.

2.    a fact or something true: Reading is educational.

3.    timetables: The reading section of the exam starts at 3:50.

"I start the day by reading the newspaper," is an example of the first type of present simple: a habit. 

"Reading is educational," is an example of the second type of present simple: a statement of fact.

"The reading section of the exam starts at 3:50," is an example of the third type of present simple: relating to a timetable.

* * * 

Present Continuous 
Subject + is/am/are + [verb + ing]

1.    an activity now: You are reading this sentence right now

2.    a temporary activity: You are reading about English grammar

3.    an arranged future: You are reading five books this semester in English class

"You are reading this sentence right now," is an example of  the first type of the present continuous: an activity now.

"You are reading about English grammar," represents the second type of the present continuous: a temporary activity. 

"You are reading five books this semester in English class," is an example of the third type of present continuous: an arranged future.

* * *

See Also:

Past Simple vs Past Continuous

Past Simple vs Present Perfect

Present Perfect vs Present Perfect Continuous

Adjectives

Tongue Twisters

Directions

 ANSWER KEY: 1. PS; 2. PC; 3. PS; 4. PS; 5. PC; 6. PS; 7. PS; 8. PS; 9. PC; 10. PS