Exercise

https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/learning-english/activities-for-learners/a1g002-present-simple-and-present-continuous-questions

Simple Present	Present Progressive
infinitive (3rd person singular = infinitive + 's') I speak you speak he / she / it speakS we speak they speak	form of 'be' + verb + ing I am speaking you are speaking he / she / it is speaking we are speaking they are speaking
Exceptions
Exceptions when adding 's' : § For can, may, might, must, do not add s. Example: he can, she may, it must § After o, ch, sh or s, add es. Example: do - he does, wash - she washes § After a consonant, the final consonant y becomes ie. (but: not after a vowel) Example: worry - he worries but: play - he plays	Exceptions when adding 'ing' : § Silent e is dropped. (but: does not apply for -ee) Example: come - coming but: agree - agreeing § After a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled. Example: sit - sitting § After a vowel, the final consonant l is doubled in British English (but not in American English). Example: travel - travelling (British English) but: traveling (American English) § Final ie becomes y. Example: lie - lying

Do you want to express that something happens in general or that something is happening right now?

Simple Present	Present Progressive
Colin plays football every Tuesday. present actions happening one after another First Colin plays football, then he watches TV.	right now Look! Colin is playing football now. also for several actions happening at the same time Colin is playing football and Anne is watching.
Signal words
§ always § every ... § often § normally § usually § sometimes § seldom § never § first § then	§ at the moment § at this moment § today § now § right now § Listen! § Look!
Note: The following verbs are usually only used in Simple Present: be, have, hear, know, like, love, see, smell, think, want
Simple Present	Present Progressive
in general (regularly, often, never)

Do you want to express that something is arranged for the near future? Or do you refer to a time set by a timetable or schedule?

Simple Present	Present Progressive
action set by a timetable or schedule The film starts at 8 pm.	arrangement for the near future I am going to the cinema tonight.

Do you want to talk about a daily routine? Or do you want to emphasis that something is only going on for a limited (rather short) period of time?

Simple Present	Present Progressive
daily routine Bob works in a restaurant.	only for a limited period of time (does not have to happen directly at the moment of speaking) Jenny is working in a restaurant this week.

The following verbs are usually only used in Simple Present (not in the progressive form).

§ state: be, cost, fit, mean, suit

Example: We are on holiday.

§ possession: belong, have

Example: Sam has a cat.

§ senses: feel, hear, see, smell, taste, touch

Example: He feels the cold.

§ feelings: hate, hope, like, love, prefer, regret, want, wish

Example: Jane loves pizza.

§ brain work: believe, know, think, understand

Example: I believe you.

§ Introductory clauses for direct speech: answer, ask, reply, say

Example: “I am watching TV,“ he says.