Explanation
Exercises

Present Simple vs Present Continuous — B1 Guide

All-in-one reference: forms, uses, time expressions, stative/dynamic traps, common mistakes, and quick practice.

B1 Grammar Present Tenses Form + Use Practice

Quick decision guide

Use Present Simple
  • Habits & routines: I walk to work.
  • Facts & permanent states: Water boils at 100°C.
  • Schedules/timetables: The train leaves at 06:42.
  • Stative meanings: I believe you.
Use Present Continuous
  • Now/around now: I’m working.
  • Temporary patterns: I’m driving this week.
  • Changing situations: Prices are rising.
  • Arrangements (near future): We’re meeting on Friday.
Stative check
  • If the verb is stative (know, like, own) → Present Simple.
  • Some verbs switch meaning (have, think, see, be, look).

Present Simple — Form

Affirmative
I/you/we/they work. • He/she/it works.
Negative
I/you/we/they don’t work. • He/she/it doesn’t work.
Question
Do I/you/we/they work? • Does he/she/it work?

Spelling (3rd person)

  • + -s: play → plays
  • + -es after -sh, -ch, -ss, -x, -o: watch → watches
  • Consonant + y → -ies: study → studies
Short forms: don’t / doesn’t

Present Continuous — Form

Affirmative
am/is/are + V-ing: I’m working; She’s working; They’re working.
Negative
I’m not working; She isn’t working; They aren’t working.
Question
Am/Is/Are + subject + V-ing?

-ing spelling

  • Drop silent e: make → making
  • Double final consonant after short stressed vowel: run → running
  • ie → y: lie → lying
Short forms: ’m not, isn’t/’s not, aren’t/’re not

Present Simple — Use

  • Habits & routines: I wash my hair every day.
  • Facts & permanent states: She’s very tall.
  • Adverbs of frequency before main verb / after be: He usually gets up early; I am never late.
  • Frequency expressions at the end: We go to the cinema once a month.
  • Timetables: The train leaves at 4.
  • Narrative/summary, commentaries, headlines, instructions.

Present Continuous — Use

  • Actions now / around now: I’m reading a new book.
  • Temporary actions: I’m taking the bus this week.
  • With “now/these days/this week/at the moment”.
  • Changing/developing: Your English is improving.
  • Future arrangements: We’re leaving tomorrow at 7.
  • Annoying repeated habits with always/constantly/forever: He’s always losing his keys.

Time expressions & adverb placement

Present Simple: always, usually, often, sometimes, hardly ever, never; every day/week; once/twice a week; on Mondays; at the weekend.
Placement: adverbs go before the main verb / after be. Expressions go at the end.
Present Continuous: now, right now, at the moment, currently, today, these days, this week/month, nowadays.
Placement: typically at the end or the beginning.

Stative vs dynamic verbs (key traps)

Stative meaning (use Present Simple) Dynamic meaning (use Present Continuous)
have (=possess): I have two cats. have (=experience): We’re having lunch/a meeting.
think (=believe): I think it’s a good idea. think (=consider): I’m thinking about moving.
see (=perceive): I see your point. see (=meet/visit): I’m seeing the dentist tomorrow.
be (=state): James is a doctor. be (=behave): You’re being very kind today.
look (=appear): Tom looks tired. look (=focus eyes): She’s looking at you.
Use Present Simple with stative verbs of sense/opinion/possession: know, believe, like, love, want, need, own, belong, seem, appear, taste, smell, feel* (state).
*Continuous is OK only for voluntary actions/temporary meanings (e.g., I’m tasting the soup.)

Common B1 mistakes

  • She work every day. → She works every day.
  • I’m know the answer. → I know the answer.
  • I’m not understand. → I don’t understand.
  • Do you are going? → Are you going?
  • I am agree. → I agree.
  • We’re go to Spain next week. → We’re going to Spain next week. / We’re flying next week.
  • He’s always to be late. → He’s always being late. (annoyance)
  • I’m needing help. → I need help.
Exercises:
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2
3

Present simple or present continuous

Choose the present simple or present continuous to complete the sentences below.
1
In Johannesburg most people at least five languages.
2
Languages very fast.
3
You can’t see Tim now; he a bath.
4
Please keep quiet — I to the radio.
5
I usually to the news in the mornings.
6
What time ?
7
On most days I a scarf.
8
But today I one because it’s unusually cold.
9
I finished that series you recommended. Now I another one.
10
The train at 09:45 tomorrow — don’t be late.

Present simple or present continuous

Choose the present simple or present continuous for each gap below.
1
I ____ a new laptop this week — mine is too slow.
A.
B.
C.
2
The first train to Oxford ____ at 7:45 tomorrow morning.
A.
B.
C.
3
She usually ____ to work, but today she ____ the bus.
A.
B.
C.
4
Why ____ so much noise? I’m on a call!
A.
B.
C.
5
The Earth ____ around the Sun.
A.
B.
C.
6
Where’s Tom? — He ____ a shower right now.
A.
B.
C.
7
I ____ in Berlin at the moment, but I ____ in Madrid.
A.
B.
C.
8
The shop ____ at 9 a.m. on weekdays.
A.
B.
C.
9
Ugh, my brother ____ ____ his keys! It’s so frustrating.
A.
B.
C.
10
Listen! The neighbors ____ loudly again.
A.
B.
C.

Present simple or present continuous

Fill in the gaps with the verbs in brackets in the present simple or present continuous.

Fill in the gaps with the verbs in brackets in the present simple or present continuous. Type only the missing part.

1
Right now, she (cook) dinner.
2
I (not/understand) what you mean.
3
We (have) a great time at the party.
4
My brother (play) football on Saturdays.
5
Listen! The neighbors (argue) again.
6
She (prefer) tea to coffee.
7
I can’t talk now — I (drive).
8
These days we (work) from home more than usual.
9
Our flight (depart) at 7:45, so don’t be late.
10
We (meet) the new manager at 3 p.m. this afternoon.