The document explains the difference between the simple present and present continuous tenses in English. It provides examples of when to use each tense. The simple present is used for habitual or repeated actions, as well as facts that are always true. The present continuous is used for actions that are happening now or temporary actions, as well as future arrangements. It also discusses action verbs that can be used with either tense and stative verbs that are not typically used in the present continuous. Finally, it provides pictures to practice using both tenses to describe what is happening.

1. SIMPLE PRESENT VS.
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
What’s the difference?

2. Simple Present
 Use the present simple for things that are always
true or happen regularly.
EXAMPLES
 I walk to school every day.
 Jane likes eating chocolate cookies.
 He doesn’t wear glasses.
 The Earth is round.

3. Simple Present
 REMEMBER:
• The spelling rules:
Live - lives, study - studies, watch - watches
• Use Q A S I (Question, Auxiliary, Subject, Infinitive)
to help you with word order in questions.
 Where does she work?
• Put adverbs of frequency (usually, often, etc.) before
the main verb and after the verb to be
 I usually get up early.
 She’s never late.

4. Present Continuous
 Use the present continuous:
 For actions in progress at the time of speaking
and for temporary actions:
A: Who are you waiting for?
B: I’m waiting for a friend.
I’m doing a lot of sport this week.
 For future arrangements:
A: What are you doing after class?
B: I’m going to the café.
• Remember the spelling rules:Remember the spelling rules:
live - living , study - studying , get - getting

5. Action and non-action verbs
 Verbs which describe actions can be used in the
present simple or continuous:
 I’m making pasta.
• Common non-action verbs are:Common non-action verbs are:
 I make pasta every Sunday.
• Verbs which describe states or feelings are notVerbs which describe states or feelings are not
normally used in the present continuous.normally used in the present continuous.
agree be believe belong
forget hate hear
know like love need
prefer seem suppose

6. What tense is it and why?
 She is running home.
 They play football every Sunday.
 Rob and Ellen enjoy playing tennis.
 She needs to buy a new car.
 The office staff is eating lunch.
 I don’t agree with you.
 The printer is broken.
 They are playing badminton at 4.

7. What is happening in the picture? Use both
simple present and present continuous!
There are three
peole having dinner
in what looks like a
gastro pub. They
are chatting and
laughing. They
seem to be having a
good time. The pub
is cosy, there isn’t
much light, though
there are many
lamps. It isn’t very
crowded either

8. What is happening in the picture? Use both
simple present and present continuous!
This woman is wearing a black dress,
a red jacket and black high-heeled
shoes. She is sitting on a bench,
smoking a cigarrete. The bench is
dark green and, next to her, there are
two suit cases. One of them is brown
and the other one is black. There are
some bushes and a white fence
behind her.

9. What is
happening in
the picture?
Use both
simple
present and
present
continuous!
This girl is
doing sport,
she is lifting
weights. She
is wearing
black
leggings and
a black top.
She is fit and
tanned.

10. What is happening in the picture? Use both
simple present and present continuous!
These children are playing football.
They are having a good time. They are
in a park and they are playing on the
grass. There are very big and green
trees.

11. What is
happening in
the picture?
Use both
simple
present and
present
continuous!
This man is skiing. He is
wearing warm clothes. The
snow is very white, the sky is
blue and it is sunny.