Present simple or present continuous: every day and now
I read every day, but I am playing now. The present simple describes a routine; the present continuous describes an action happening around the time of speaking. Choose the tense from the meaning of the situation.
Ta fiche PDF illustrée
Le support, la méthode et les exercices corrigés à imprimer.
By the end of this lesson, you can
- Choose the tense from the situation
- Routines, actions now and ing spelling
- Read the time clue without ignoring the meaning
Before you startRead simple English sentences; use the starter lesson if you need help with names or numbers.
Un bon cours, ça se partage.
What is the difference between present simple and present continuous?
Use the present simple for a routine: She reads every evening. Use the present continuous for an action happening now: She is reading now. The continuous needs both a form of be and an ing verb. Compare Does she read? with Is she reading?
Choose the tense from the situation
Form the continuous with am, is or are and a verb ending in ing: She is reading. Make negatives with not after be: She isn't reading. For a question, move be: Is she reading? A routine uses the simple: She reads after school.
Most verbs add ing: read becomes reading. Drop a final silent e: write becomes writing. In a short stressed consonant-vowel-consonant verb, double the final consonant: run becomes running. Everyday expressions can guide you, but read the whole sentence: every Monday suggests a routine, whereas Look! often introduces something happening now.
Routines, actions now and ing spelling
| Meaning | Statement | Question or spelling |
|---|---|---|
| Every day | She walks to school. | Does she walk? |
| Now | She is walking home. | Is she walking? |
| Spell the ing form | play → playing; write → writing | run → running |
Compare an ordinary Saturday with today
Read and explain this example
On Saturdays, Lina usually plays chess. Today she is visiting her cousin. They aren't playing chess now. They are making a card. Does Lina like art? Yes, she does.
Read the time clue without ignoring the meaning
The same person can have a routine and do something different today. Lina usually plays chess on Saturday, but today she is making a card. Usually describes the repeated habit; today introduces the current exception. Do not choose a tense merely because you see a familiar word: first ask what the speaker means. For beginner sentences with like and want, keep the simple form: I like this activity; I want a drink.
Remember
Keep be in the continuous: She is reading, not She reading. For simple beginner statements with like and want, use the simple: I like this book; I want a drink.
Step by step
Put the idea into practice
- Ask whether the sentence describes a habit or an action around now.
- Choose a complete structure: simple verb or be plus ing.
- Make the question with the auxiliary that belongs to that structure.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between present simple and present continuous?
Why is She reading now incomplete?
Can I leave out am, is or are before ing?
Quiz: 1 questions
1 questions are randomly selected from this lesson’s 1-question bank. Choose one answer for each question and get an immediate explanation.
Q1Which sentence describes an action now?
Incorrect answer
Is writing combines be and ing for the current action.
Correct answer: She is writing now.
Is writing combines be and ing for the current action.
Your score
0/1
Start with the worked examples
Read the lesson in small sections. Write your own example for each rule and try the Easy exercises before returning to the quiz.
Review: 1 missed question
Which sentence describes an action now?
Correct answerShe is writing now.
Is writing combines be and ing for the current action.
Exercises with answers
4 exercises, from easy practice to challenges. Try each one yourself, then reveal the answer and explanation.
Exercise 1
EasyComplete: Every day she (walks / is walking). Look! He (runs / is running).
Answer and explanation
Walks; is running. The first is a routine; the second describes the current scene.
Exercise 2
IntermediateWrite the ing forms of write and run. Make She is reading negative.
Answer and explanation
Writing; running. She isn't reading. Drop e in write, double n in run and add not after is.
Exercise 3
ChallengeWrite two routine sentences and two sentences about now.
Answer and explanation
Example: I study every afternoon. I play on Sunday. Now I am reading. My brother is drawing. Make the time and the tense agree.
Exercise 4
IntermediateOmar normally walks to school. Today he is on a bus. Write two sentences and a question about today.
Answer and explanation
Omar usually walks to school. Today he is taking a bus. Is he taking a bus today? The second situation needs is taking, not does taking.