Look at these example sentences.
Then discuss with a partner: In which situations do we use the present simple?
In which situations do we use the present continuous?
Present Simple | Present Continuous |
I eat an apple every day. Lions eat meat. I sometimes watch football on TV. I’m always very happy. At the weekend they visit their grandparents. | He’s watching the news on TV at the moment. Vicky’s travelling to several African countries this year. Fewer people are buying cars this year. |
Look at these example sentences.
Then discuss with a partner: In which situations do we use the present simple?
In which situations do we use the present continuous?
Present Simple | Present Continuous |
I eat an apple every day. Lions eat meat. I sometimes watch football on TV. I’m always very happy. At the weekend they visit their grandparents. | He’s watching the news on TV at the moment. Vicky’s travelling to several African countries this year. Fewer people are buying cars this year. |
For each situation, write in either present simple or present continuous.
1. We use the ________________to talk about habits and routines.
2. We use the ________________to talk about things happening now.
3. We use the ________________to talk about things that are always true.
4. We often use adverbs of frequency (always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never) with the ________________to talk about how often we do something.
5. We use the ________________to talk about things happening around now, but not necessarily at the moment.
6. We use the ________________ to talk about current trends and changing situations.
7. We don’t usually use stative verbs (be, have, like, love, hate, want) in the ________________ .
Answers:
1. We use the present simple to talk about habits and routines.
example: I eat an apple every day.
At the weekend they visit their grandparents.
2. We use the present continuous to talk about things happening now.
example: He’s watching the news on TV at the moment.
3. We use the present simple to talk about things that are always true.
example: Lions eat meat.
4. We often use adverbs of frequency (always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never) with the present simple to talk about how often we do something.
examples: I sometimes watch football on TV.
I am always very happy.
5. We use the present continuous to talk about things happening around now, but not necessarily at the moment.
examples: Vicky’s travelling to several African countries this year.
6. We use the present continuous to talk about current trends and changing situations.
examples: Fewer people are buying cars this year.
7. We don’t usually use stative verbs (be, have, like, love, hate, want) in the present continuous.