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A2 · grammar

Present Simple vs Present Continuous Exercises (A2) — Free

Present simple vs present continuous: habits and facts, or what's happening now

Use the present simple for habits, routines, permanent situations and facts (She works in a bank. Water boils at 100°C). Use the present continuous (am/is/are + -ing) for actions happening right now or around now, and for temporary situations (I'm driving. This week I'm staying with friends). Words like usually, often and every day point to the present simple; now, at the moment, Look! and Listen! point to the present continuous. Watch out for state verbs such as like, know, understand, want and taste: they describe states, not actions, so they normally stay in the present simple even when you mean right now.

  1. Listen! The baby (cry) in the next room.

  2. My brother (work) in a bank. He's a cashier.

  3. Water (boil) at 100 degrees Celsius.

  4. I can't talk right now. I (drive).

  5. She usually (take) the bus, but today she (walk) to work.

  6. you (like) chocolate?

  7. Please be quiet. I (try) to concentrate.

  8. This soup (taste) delicious!

  9. What you (do) at the moment? I'm cooking dinner.

  10. I (not/understand) this word. What does it mean?

  11. How often your sister (go) to the gym?

  12. This week I (stay) with my grandparents because my parents are on holiday.

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