Present Simple vs Present Continuous Exercises
A2-B1 Level
English Exercises is teacher-led by Charlie. About the teacher · How content is made
Use the present simple for habits, routines, and permanent facts: "I work in an office" (my regular job), "Water boils at 100°C" (always true). Use the present continuous for actions happening right now or temporary situations: "I am working from home today" (just today, not my usual routine), "She is learning French this year" (a temporary activity). Time markers help: "always," "usually," "every day" point to present simple, while "now," "at the moment," "today" point to present continuous.
Some verbs — called stative verbs — are rarely used in the continuous form because they describe states, not actions: know, believe, want, need, belong, own, prefer. However, some stative verbs have both a state meaning and an action meaning: "I think it's good" (opinion — state) vs "I'm thinking about it" (active mental process — action).
Quick Rule
Present simple: subject + base verb (+s/es) | Present continuous: subject + am/is/are + verb-ing
- 1.I usually walk to work. (present simple — regular habit)
- 2.I am walking to work today because my car broke down. (present continuous — temporary)
- 3.She speaks three languages. (present simple — permanent ability)
- 4.She is speaking on the phone right now. (present continuous — happening now)
- 5.We don't eat meat. (present simple — general fact about us)
All 20 questions
Choose present simple (for habits/routines) or present continuous (for actions happening now). Look for time clues like 'now', 'at the moment', 'always', 'every day'. Choose the correct form:
I usually _____ (walk) to school.
She _____ (study) in her room right now.
They _____ (play) tennis every Saturday.
Look! The baby _____ (sleep).
We _____ (watch) TV in the evenings.
He _____ (read) a book at the moment.
I _____ (drink) coffee every morning.
Listen! Someone _____ (knock) on the door.
My brother _____ (work) in a hospital.
Be quiet! The teacher _____ (talk).
We _____ (go) to the gym twice a week.
You _____ (wear) a nice shirt today!
She always _____ (forget) her keys.
The children _____ (play) outside right now.
I _____ (like) chocolate ice cream.
It _____ (rain) at the moment.
My dad _____ (drive) to work every day.
Where is Tom? He _____ (have) lunch in the canteen.
We _____ (know) the answer to this question.
Shh! The baby _____ (sleep) now.
Practise spotting tense mistakes
Switch from choosing forms to fixing wrong chunks in complete sentences.
Continue Practising
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