{"id":189,"date":"2011-12-06T21:33:18","date_gmt":"2011-12-06T21:33:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.free-english-online.com\/?p=189"},"modified":"2024-02-29T15:24:40","modified_gmt":"2024-02-29T20:24:40","slug":"simple-present-or-present-continuous","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.espressoenglish.net\/simple-present-or-present-continuous\/","title":{"rendered":"Simple present or present continuous?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Learn<\/a>
She usually eats healthy food, but today she’s eating cake because it’s her birthday.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Use the simple present <\/strong>for actions that happen in general.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Use the present continuous <\/strong>for actions happening at the moment <\/strong>or current\/temporary projects.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Present Simple<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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Present Continuous<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

I work<\/strong> from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.<\/td>\nI\u2019m<\/strong> currently working<\/strong> on a new project.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mark studies<\/strong> English every day.<\/td>\nMark is studying<\/strong> the present continuous at the moment.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
We usually go<\/strong> to Europe in the summer.<\/td>\nRight now, we\u2019re going<\/strong> to the supermarket.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
They always talk<\/strong> to their boss in the morning.<\/td>\nThey\u2019re talking<\/strong> to him now.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Does it usually rain<\/strong> in the winter?<\/td>\nNo, but it\u2019s raining<\/strong> now. Take an umbrella.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

These words can help you know if the sentence needs simple present <\/strong>or present continuous:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Simple Present:<\/strong><\/p>\n