Present simple or continuous?

  • A2 · Elementary
  • Grammar lesson
  • 60 min

The present simple for habits and facts (She usually works three long days a week) and the present continuous for now and for a short time (This month, Paula is working nights), the time words that go with each, and verbs like know and want that are rarely continuous. From a nurse's month of night shifts to a game of guess what I'm doing.

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she cooksis cookingI know

What's in the lesson

  1. 1Warm-up
  2. 2Reading: a month of nightsReading comprehension
  3. 3What does it mean?Grammar exercise
  4. 4Find the present continuousGrammar exercise
  5. 5Simple or continuous?Grammar rule
  6. 6Usually… but today…Grammar exercise
  7. 7Action or not?Grammar exercise
  8. 8Action verbs and other verbsGrammar exercise
  9. 9Questions for your teacherGrammar exercise
  10. 10Say it naturallySpeaking practice
  11. 11Guess what I'm doingSpeaking practice
  12. 12About youGrammar exercise
  13. 13Wrap-up

Homework

  1. 1Homework: the dog walker's messageGrammar exercise
  2. 2Homework: find the mistakeGrammar exercise
  3. 3Homework: a busy placeDiscussion

Two slides from the lesson

Warm-up

A few questions about you before we start.

  1. What time do you usually start and finish work or school?
  2. Do you know anyone with a night job? What do they do?
  3. What is your best friend doing right now, do you think?

Grammar rule

Simple or continuous?

Present simplePresent continuous
Usehabits and routines, factsthings happening now, and for a short time (today, this week, this month, these days)
PositiveHe feeds the cat at six. The museum opens at ten.Look! The cat is eating your toast. This month, I'm walking to work.
NegativeWe don't drive to work. My dad doesn't eat fish.The printer isn't working today.
QuestionDoes your brother cook?What are you watching?
Time wordsevery day, usually, always, often, never, on Mondays, twice a weeknow, right now, at the moment, today, this week, this month, these days

Verbs that are not actions

Some verbs are about the mind, feelings and things we have, not actions: know, understand, remember, believe, think (= believe), like, love, hate, want, need, own and have (= own). We usually use them in the present simple, even for now: I remember this song! (not I'm remembering) My aunt has a boat. (not My aunt is having a boat)

Some of them can be actions too, and then the continuous is fine: have = eat or drink (She's having a cup of tea.) · think about = it is in your head now (I'm thinking about my old school.)

Spelling of -ing

write → writing · sit → sitting · swim → swimming · lie → lying · study → studying

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