Present Simple vs Present Continuos
by Luis Angel García Feregrino
1. Clue words:
1.1. Always, Usually, Often, Sometimes, Never
2. Present Simple
3. forms affirmative
3.1. I = play
3.2. You = play
3.3. He, she, it = plays
3.4. We = play
3.5. They = play
4. Forms negative
4.1. I don’t play
4.2. He, she it, doesn’t play
4.3. You don’t play
4.4. We don’t play
4.5. They don’t play
5. Forms interrogative
5.1. Do I play?
5.2. Do you play?
5.3. Does he, she, it play?
5.4. Do we play?
5.5. Do they play?
6. Repeated actions (habits, routines)
7. A permanent situations
8. To say that something is true or untrue in general
9. The present simple is normally used to talk about thoughts, feelings and states.
10. The present Continuos is mainly used for actions and happenings. It’s not usually used for states.
11. In storytelling and commentaries the present simple is used to describe the main events.
12. An official arrangement such as a timetable or programme
13. We can also use the present simple for facts
14. Present Continuos
15. Clue words:
15.1. At the moment, at present, currently, nowadays, now
16. forms affirmative
16.1. I am playing
16.2. You are playing
16.3. He, she, it is playing
16.4. We are playing
16.5. They are playing
17. Forms negative
17.1. I am not playing
17.2. You aren’t playing
17.3. He, she ,it isn’t playing
17.4. We aren’t playing
17.5. They aren’t playing
18. Forms interrogative
18.1. Am I playing?
18.2. Are you playing?
18.3. Is he, she, it playing?
18.4. Are we playing?
18.5. Are they playing?
19. Something happening at the time of speaking. The action is not finished.
20. A temporary situations
21. To talk about changes, developments and trends
22. The present continuos is used to background events.
23. A personal arrangement