The document compares and contrasts the present simple and present continuous tenses in English. It provides examples of when to use each tense, such as using the present simple for general facts or schedules, and the present continuous for temporary actions or arrangements. Key uses of each tense are outlined in 6 points for the present simple and 3 points for the present continuous.

1. Present Simple
vs
Present Continuous

2. Present Simple

3. Present Simple
The simple present tense is one of the
most common tenses in English.
There are only two basic forms for the
simple present tense; one ends with –s and
the other doesn’t.
positive negative interrogative
I play I don’t play Do you play?
He doesn’t
He plays Does he play?
play

4. LOOK AT THE FOLLOWING IDIOMS AND COMMON SAYINGS:
An apple a day KEEPS the doctor away.
Mas vale prevenir que curar.
The early bird CATCHES the worm.
A quien madruga, Dios le ayuda.
The apple DOESN’T FALL far from the tree.
De tal palo tal astilla.
Barking dogs never BITE.
Perro ladrador, poco mordedor.
A cat in gloves CATCHES no mice.
Gato con guantes no caza ratones.
A stitch in time SAVES nine.
Más vale prevenir que curar.
It never RAINS, but it POURS.
Las desgracias nunca vienen solas.

5. Present Simple
WE USE THE PRESENT SIMPLE TO TALK ABOUT:
1. General things and scientific facts.
2. Permament or long-lasting situations.
3. Things which happen repeteadly.
4. One action follows another.
5. Timetables and schedules.
6. Stative verbs.

6. 1. GENERAL THINGS and SCIENTIFIC FACTS.
The sun SETS in the West.
* the sun nevers sets in the east or south or north, but always in the west.

7. 1. GENERAL THINGS and SCIENTIFIC FACTS.
The Earth REVOLVES around the Sun.

8. 2. PERMANENT or LONG-LASTING SITUATIONS.
He LIVES in a small village.

9. 2. PERMANENT or LONG-LASTING SITUATIONS.
He WORKS as a fireman

10. 3. THINGS WHICH HAPPEN REPETEADLY.
Regular habits and daily routines.
He usually WAKES UP at ten past ten.

11. 3. THINGS WHICH HAPPEN REPETEADLY.
Regular habits and daily routines.
She GOES hiking every Saturday.

12. 4. ONE ACTION FOLLOWS ANOTHER.
(actions in the present taking place one after another –first, then, after that …)
They TAKE their bags and LEAVE.

13. 5. TIMETABLES and SCHEDULES.
Our course BEGINS next week.
The plane DOESN’T LEAVE until 4.22.

14. 6. STATIVE VERBS.
After verbs expressing STATES, POSSESSION,
SENSES, FEELINGS, EMOTIONS and MENTAL ACTIVITY.
When you love someone, that's a state, a fact or
emotion, but not an action (like running for
example). Whenever you want to express a state,
possession, sense or emotions, use the simple form
(not the progressive). The following words all belong
to this group:

15. 6. STATIVE VERBS.
After the following verbs:
be (state) remain (state)
believe (mental activity) realize (mental activity)
belong (possession) see (senses)
hate (feeling and emotion) seem (feeling and emotion)
hear (senses) smell (senses)
like (feeling and emotion) think (mental activity)
love (feeling and emotion) understand (mental activity)
mean (mental activity) want (feeling and emotion)
prefer (mental activity) wish (feeling and emotion)

16. 6. STATIVE VERBS.

17. 6. STATIVE VERBS.

18. 6. STATIVE VERBS.

19. 6. STATIVE VERBS.

20. 6. STATIVE VERBS.

21. 6. STATIVE VERBS.

22. 6. STATIVE VERBS.

23. 6. STATIVE VERBS.

24. 6. STATIVE VERBS.

25. 6. STATIVE VERBS.

26. Present Continuous

27. Present Continuous
We form the present continuous with thre
present tense of the verb “BE” + ING
AM
VERB
ARE
(+ing)
IS

28. Present Continuous
WE USE THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS TO TALK ABOUT:
1. Something that is in progress now, at this
moment. AT THE TIME OF SPEAKING.
2. Temporary activity or situation – not
necessarily happening at the time of
speaking.
3. Arrangements we’ve made for the future.

29. 1. AT THE TIME OF SPEAKING.
She IS READING a book now.

30. 2. TEMPORARY ACTIVITY OR SITUATION.
I AM LIVING in the street until I can find a flat.

31. 3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FUTURE.
He IS GOING to the cinema tomorrow.

32. Present Simple
vs
Present Continuous

33. 1. PERMANENT OR TEMPORARY SITUATIONS.
She LIVES in a small village.
She IS LIVING in the street now until she can find a flat.

34. 1. PERMANENT OR LIMITED IN TIME.
He WORKS as a fireman.
He IS WORKING as a farmer this summer.

35. 2. IN GENERAL OR RIGHT NOW.
He WORKS as a fireman.
Now he IS CLIMBING.

36. 3. DAILY ROUTINE or EXCEPTION.
He usually GETS UP at ten past ten.
Today he IS GETTING UP at quarter past five.