Present simple or continuous?

  • A2 · Elementary
  • Grammar lesson
  • 60 min

The present simple for habits and facts (I usually work from home) and the present continuous for now and a short time (This week, I'm working in Tokyo), their time words, and know, want and need, which stay simple. From a mom's video message on a work trip to a video call of the student's own.

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she takesshe's takingisn't charging

What's in the lesson

  1. 1Warm-up
  2. 2In this lesson
  3. 3Listen: Jaya's video messageListening comprehension
  4. 4What does it mean?Grammar exercise
  5. 5Find the present continuousGrammar exercise
  6. 6Simple or continuous?Grammar rule
  7. 7Which time words?Grammar exercise
  8. 8Simple or continuous?Grammar exercise
  9. 9Elliot's answerGrammar exercise
  10. 10Questions for your teacherGrammar exercise
  11. 11Say it naturallySpeaking practice
  12. 12A video call homeSpeaking practice
  13. 13About youGrammar exercise
  14. 14Wrap-up

Homework

  1. 1Homework: a message from BostonGrammar exercise
  2. 2Homework: find the mistakeGrammar exercise
  3. 3Homework: which is right?Grammar exercise
  4. 4Homework: a different monthDiscussion

Two slides from the lesson

Warm-up

A few questions about you before we start.

  1. Where do you usually work or study: at home, or somewhere else?
  2. Is this week like most weeks for you, or is it different? How?
  3. Does anyone in your family travel a lot for work?

Grammar rule

Simple or continuous?

Present simplePresent continuous
Usehabits and routines, factsnow (as we speak), and around now, for a short time
PositiveShe takes the bus to work.This week, she's taking a taxi.
NegativeWe don't eat meat.My phone isn't charging.
QuestionDoes he swim?Is he swimming right now? Where are they going?
Time wordsusually, always, often, never, every day, on Mondays, twice a weeknow, right now, at the moment, today, this week, this month, these days

Verbs for the mind and feelings

Verbs for the mind and feelings (know, understand, remember, want, need, like, love, hate): we rarely use them in the continuous. have is the same when it means "own". We use the present simple, even for now: I need a break right now. (not I'm needing) Do you remember her name? (not Are you remembering)

have can also be an action (eat, take): We're having lunch. Then the continuous is fine.
Watch out: a habit takes the simple: not Every evening, I'm walking the dog, but Every evening, I walk the dog. Something happening now takes the continuous: not Look! The bus comes, but Look! The bus is coming. And don't forget am, is or are: not I working, but I'm working.

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