Present Simple vs. Present Continuous. Explanation + Exercise

Present Simple

I speak (or any other verb).
Negative: I DON'T speak
(short for DO NOT).
Question: DO you speak?


It's used for habits, things you regularly do, or things that do not change over time. 

It usually comes with the following adverbs:
Frequency adverbs: always, never, usually, normally, sometimes, often, hardly ever.
Every + period of time: everyday, every morning/Friday/week/summer/year.


Present Continuous


I'M speaking
(short for I AM).
Negative: I'M NOT speaking.
Question: ARE you speaking?
(am, is or are depending on the subject).

It's used for actions done right now, or in a close future, or during a short period of time. It's far more frequent in conversations than in texts.

It usually comes with adverbs such as: Now, today, tonight, at the moment, these days, currently.
This or next + period of time: this or next morning/evening/week/week/month/year/course/summer.



Exercise on Present Simple and Present Continuous.


Use the verb in brackets to fill the gaps to create a sentence with present simple or present continuous. You can find the right answer below.


Sally _____________ (work) at the council library.

We _____________ (stay) at the hotel until Sunday morning.

_____________ (you, know) Ms Cooper, our Marketing Director?

Don't start eating! I _____________ (get) to the restaurant in ten minutes.

She _____________ (take) dancing lessons every Wednesday evening.

A: "There's a football match on TV." B: "Who _____________ (play)?"

Professional musicians _____________ (practice) every day.

Call the technician! The central heating _____________ (not, work).

Tonight I _____________ (go) to the movies with Mary.

An inspector _____________  (come) today at lunchtime. Make sure the kitchen is clean!

Our company _____________ (manufacture) its products in China and _____________ (sell) them all across Europe.

I _____________  (not, usually, travel) by bus, but today I _____________ (take) one.

My friends and I _____________ (get) together every year to remember the old good times.

Our sales _____________ (rise) this quarter, so we_____________  (plan) to hire more staff.

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Sally works at the council library.

We are staying at the hotel until Sunday morning.

Do you know Ms Cooper, our Marketing Director?

Don't start eating! I'm getting to the restaurant in ten minutes.

She takes dancing lessons every Wednesday evening.

A: "There's a football match on TV." B: "Who is playing?"

Professional musicians practice every day.

Call the technician! The central heating is not working.

Tonight I am going to the movies with Mary.

An inspector came today at lunchtime. Make sure the kitchen is clean!

Our company manufactures its products in China and sells them all across Europe.

I don't usually travel by bus, but today I'm taking one.

My friends and I get together every year to remember the old good times.

Our sales are rising this quarter, so we are planning to hire more staff.