Present Simple vs Present Continuous

What it means

The present simple is for things that are always or usually true: habits, routines and facts. The present continuous is for things happening now, or for a short time around now.

How to make it

• Present simple: I / you / we / they + base verb → I drink coffee.
• He / she / it → add -s: work → works, drink → drinks
• Verbs ending in -s, -sh, -ch, -x, -o → add -es: watch → watches, go → goes
• Consonant + y → -ies: study → studies
• Negatives and questions → don't / doesn't or do / does + base verb: She doesn't work. Does he work?
• Present continuous: am / is / are + verb-ing → I am drinking. She is working.
• -ing spelling: make → making (drop the e), run → running (double the last letter)

When to use it

• Present simple – habits and routines: He usually walks to school.
• Present simple – facts that are always true: Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
• Present continuous – happening right now: I am drinking coffee right now.
• Present continuous – temporary situations: Today he is taking the bus because it's raining.

Compare

• Time words for the present simple: always, usually, often, every day
• Time words for the present continuous: now, right now, at the moment, today
• He usually walks to school. (routine) → Today he is taking the bus. (just today, temporary)
• Verbs of feeling and thinking (like, love, want, need, know, understand) normally stay in the simple form, even with "now": I understand the question now.

Common mistakes

• ❌ She work in a bank. → ✅ She works in a bank. (he/she/it needs -s)
• ❌ I am knowing the answer. → ✅ I know the answer. (know is a thinking verb)
• ❌ I drinking coffee now. → ✅ I am drinking coffee now. (don't forget am/is/are)