What is the difference between the present simple and present continuous tenses in English?
Note: The present continuous tense is also called the present progressive tense.
This table gives a summary of the main differences.
| Present Simple | Present Continuous |
| Facts and things that are generally true – Cows eat grass. | Actions that are happening at the moment of speaking – The cow is eating right now. |
| Permanent or long-term situations – David lives in the town centre. | Temporary or changing situations – David is living with his sister at the moment. – Oil prices are increasing. |
| Habits or things that happen regularly – I always go to the gym. – Students often complain. | Changing habits or annoying/negative habits – I’m going to the gym more often now. – Students are always complaining. |
| Timetables or schedules – The shop opens at 10 am tomorrow. | Fixed future plans or arrangements – I’m seeing my sister on Saturday. |
| Stative verbs (primarily used in simple tenses) – I own a coat. | Dynamic verbs (used in simple and continuous tenses) – I’m buying a coat. |
Note: There are many other uses of the present simple and the present continuous.
Present Simple – Use →
Present Continuous – Use →
Kahoot Quiz – Present Simple or Present Continuous
Exercises – which tense?
Present Simple Exercises
- Present Simple – Be – Positive
- Present Simple – Be – Negative
- Present Simple – Be – Questions
- Present Simple – Be – Mixed
- Present Simple – Positive
- Present Simple – Negative
- Present Simple – Questions
- Present Simple – Mixed