Present simple vs present continuous: meaning

The present simple and continuous tenses each express a different idea of time.

Present continuous for “now”

We usually use the present continuous to talk about things which are happening now or in the near future:

• The sun is shining.
• I can’t talk right now because I’m driving!
• We’re just having breakfast – can I call you back?

Present continuous for future arrangements

We can also use the present continuous to talk about things in the near future.

Future events with present continuous are often social arrangements like meetings or parties:

• “We’re having a party tomorrow – would you like to come?” (near future arrangement)
• “No, sorry, I can’t. I‘m seeing my boyfriend tomorrow”.

In casual conversations, we sometimes use also use present continuous for repeated actions with “always”:

• “How come she‘s always turning up late?”
• “They‘re always telling us what to do!”

Present simple for states and routines

We usually use the present simple to talk about facts, states and routines.

Examples:

• The sun sets in the west. (fact – always true)
• We drive on the left in the UK.
• She gets up at 8am, she has breakfast, and then she goes to work.
• Water freezes at 0°C.

Present simple & present continuous: form

We form both the present continuous and present simple tenses with “helper” verbs:

We use the helper verb “DO” to make questions, negatives and short answers in the present simple:

example:

• “Do you love me?”
• “No, I don’t!”

Meanwhile, we need helper verb “BE” (am / is / are) to form the present continuous:

Example:

• “Are you driving, now?”
• “Yes, I am. I’m driving home.”

This is how present simple and present continuous tenses differ in form:

present simple	present continuous
SUBJECT + VERB	SUBJECT + BE + VERB -ING
I live / she lives here	I am living here
I don’t live.. / she doesn’t live here	I am not living here
Do I live.. ?/ Do you live…?/Does she live?	Am I..? / Is she..? / Are you living…?

Present simple -S with he, she, it:

Don’t forget that we need -s, -es or -ies to the end of the verb after he, she and it:

• He / she / it: base verb + -s -es or -ies: “She drives.” / “She goes.” / “She worries.”
  but:
• I / you / we / they: “I drive.” (same as base verb)

Mistakes to avoid with English present tenses

Here are some very common present simple and present continuous mistakes that you should try to avoid:

Mistake 1:

• “I‘m hating this meal”

This is wrong, because “hate” is a “state verb”.

We do not usually use present continuous to describe state verbs like “hate”, love”, “like”, “mind”.

Instead, we could use present simple, or we could change the verb:

• “I hate this meal.”
• “I’m not enjoying this meal.”

Mistake 2:

“Are you come with me?”

This question is wrong because present continuous takes the present participle (coming), and not the base form.

This is the correct question:

• “Are you coming with me?” (correct)