The Present Simple and Present Continuous are two important tenses in English. We use the Present Simple for habits, facts, and general truths. The Present Continuous is used for actions happening right now or temporary situations.
For example:
- Present Simple: « She works in a bank. » (This is her regular job.)
- Present Continuous: « She is working from home today. » (This is temporary.)
This lesson will help you understand when to use each tense correctly.
Le présent simple et le présent continu sont deux temps importants en anglais. Nous utilisons le présent simple pour les habitudes, les faits et les vérités générales. Le présent continu est utilisé pour les actions qui se produisent en ce moment ou pour des situations temporaires.
Par exemple :
- Présent simple : « Elle travaille dans une banque ». (C’est son travail habituel.)
- Présent continu : « Elle travaille à domicile aujourd’hui. » (C’est temporaire.)
Cette leçon vous aidera à comprendre quand utiliser correctement chaque temps.
Explanation
Present Simple (Routine, Facts, General Truths)
We use the Present Simple to talk about:
✅ Habits and routines: I wake up at 7 AM every day.
✅ General truths and facts: Water boils at 100°C.
✅ Permanent situations: She lives in Paris.
✅ Schedules: The train leaves at 8 PM.
🔹 Form:
Subject + base verb (+s for he/she/it)
| Subject | Example Sentence |
| I | I work in an office. |
| You | You like coffee. |
| He/She/It | He speaks Spanish. |
| We | We go to school every day. |
| They | They play football on Sundays. |
Present Continuous (Actions Happening Now or Temporary Actions)
We use the Present Continuous to talk about:
✅ Actions happening now: She is watching TV right now.
✅ Temporary situations: I am staying in a hotel this week.
✅ Changing situations: The weather is getting colder.
✅ Future plans (arrangements): We are meeting at 6 PM.
🔹 Form:
Subject + am/is/are + verb + -ing
| Subject | Example Sentence |
| I | I am working on a project. |
| You | You are studying English. |
| He/She/It | He is playing the piano. |
| We | We are travelling to Spain. |
| They | They are having lunch. |
Useful Tips
- Use Present Simple for habits, but Present Continuous for temporary actions.
➡️ I work from 9 to 5 (habit).
➡️ I am working late this week (temporary). - State verbs (e.g., like, love, know, need) do NOT take Present Continuous.
❌ I am knowing English.
➡️ I know English. - Use time expressions to help decide which tense to use:
➡️ Present Simple: always, usually, every day, on Mondays, never.
➡️ Present Continuous: now, right now, at the moment, today, this week. - Schedules and timetables use Present Simple, even for future events.
➡️ The train leaves at 6 PM tomorrow. - For actions happening « around now » (not necessarily at this exact second), use Present Continuous.
➡️ I am reading a fascinating book at the moment.
How to use
Here are five differences between the present simple and present continuous:
- Talking about routines
➡️ I go to the gym every morning. (Present Simple) - Describing actions happening now
➡️ I am going to the gym right now. (Present Continuous) - Giving general facts
➡️ She speaks three languages. (Present Simple) - Talking about a temporary action
➡️ She is studying for her exams this week. (Present Continuous) - Describing a changing situation
➡️ More people are drinking tea these days. (Present Continuous)
Common mistakes
❌ I am going to school every day.
✅ I go to school every day. (Use Present Simple for routines.)
❌ She eats now.
✅ She is eating now. (Use Present Continuous for actions happening now.)
❌ He is usually playing football on Sundays.
✅ He usually plays football on Sundays. (Use Present Simple for habits.)
❌ They are knowing the answer.
✅ They know the answer. (State verbs do not use Present Continuous.)
❌ Look! He swims!
✅Look! He is swimming! (Use Present Continuous for things happening now.)
Examples
Daily life
- I wake up at 7 AM every day.
- She is talking on the phone right now.
- We go to the park on Sundays.
- They are studying for an exam this week.
- The sun rises in the east.
Work life
- He starts work at 8 AM.
- The manager is having a meeting at the moment.
- The company sells software products.
- We are working on a new project this month.
- The flight leaves at 10 PM tonight.
Quiz
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