The key question
Present Simple
Present Continuous
Habits, routines, repeated actions
Action happening right now
Permanent situations / facts
Temporary situation (around now)
General truths and schedules
Fixed future arrangement (personal plans)
Side by side
| Meaning | Present Simple | Present Continuous |
|---|---|---|
| Habit / routine | I drink coffee every morning. | I am drinking coffee right now. |
| Permanent vs. temporary | She lives in Madrid. (her home) | She is living in Madrid for a month. |
| Fact vs. happening now | It rains a lot in London. (in general) | It is raining outside. (now) |
| Schedule vs. arrangement | The train leaves at 8:00. | I am meeting Tom tonight. (arranged) |
Signal words
| Present Simple | Present Continuous |
|---|---|
|
always
usually / generally
often
sometimes
rarely / seldom
never
every day / week
on Mondays
|
now / right now
at the moment
currently
today / this week
tonight
Look! / Listen!
|
Stative verbs — always Present Simple
Some verbs describe a state (not an action). They don't normally use the continuous form, even when talking about right now.
| Category | Verbs |
|---|---|
| Feelings / emotions | love, hate, like, want, need, prefer, feel* |
| Thoughts / beliefs | think*, know, believe, understand, remember, forget |
| Possession | have*, own, belong, possess |
| Senses | see, hear, smell*, taste*, look* |
Stative verbs: ✓ vs. ✗
✗ I am knowing the answer. → ✓ I know the answer.
✗ She is wanting a coffee. → ✓ She wants a coffee.
✗ They are having a car. → ✓ They have a car.
*Verbs marked with * can sometimes be used in the continuous with a different meaning: "I'm thinking about it" (= considering) vs. "I think it's right" (= opinion). Ask your teacher or see the B1 stative verbs page for full details.
Exercises
Exercise 1 — Fill in the blank
Use Present Simple or Present Continuous.
1.
She can't talk right now — she (work).
2.
My dad always (get up) at 6 o'clock.
3.
I (stay) at a hotel this week. (temporary)
4.
I (not / understand) this question.
5.
(you / listen?) to me right now?
Exercise 2 — Simple or Continuous?
Choose the most natural form.
1. "Where is Maria?" — "She _____ in the garden."
2. Water _____ at 100 degrees Celsius. (scientific fact)
3. I _____ what you mean. (stative)
4. He _____ Spanish this year. (temporary / around now)