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.
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.