Present Simple vs Continuous Quiz

Usage Rules

Present Simple

• Describes habitual actions or routines.
• Expresses general truths or facts.
• Indicates scheduled events (e.g., timetables).
• Used for permanent situations.

Present Continuous

• Describes actions happening at the moment of speaking.
• Indicates temporary situations or trends.
• Used for planned future events.
• Expresses annoyance or criticism with "always."

Form And Structure

Present Simple

• Structure: Subject + base form of the verb (+ s/es for third person singular).
  • Example: "She walks to school."
• Negative: Subject + do/does not + base verb.
  • Example: "He does not like coffee."
• Question: Do/Does + subject + base verb?
  • Example: "Do you play football?"

Present Continuous

• Structure: Subject + am/is/are + verb + -ing.
  • Example: "They are studying now."
• Negative: Subject + am/is/are not + verb + -ing.
  • Example: "I am not watching TV."
• Question: Am/Is/Are + subject + verb + -ing?
  • Example: "Is she coming to the party?"

Common Mistakes

• Confusing present simple with present continuous when describing ongoing actions.
  • Incorrect: "I read a book now."
  • Correct: "I am reading a book now."
• Using present continuous for habitual actions.
  • Incorrect: "He is plays soccer every Saturday."
  • Correct: "He plays soccer every Saturday."
• Forgetting to add "s" with third person singular in present simple.
  • Incorrect: "She walk to work."
  • Correct: "She walks to work."

Signal Words

Present Simple

• Always
• Usually
• Often
• Sometimes
• Never
• Every day/week/month/year

Present Continuous

• Now
• Right now
• At the moment
• Currently
• This week/month/year
• Today

Present Simple

• Describes habitual actions, routines, general truths, and scheduled events.
• Well-suited for permanent situations.
• Structure: Subject + base form of the verb (+ s/es for third person singular).
• Example for positive statement: "She walks to school."
• Negative structure: Subject + do/does not + base verb; e.g., "He does not like coffee."
• Question formation: Do/Does + subject + base verb? E.g., "Do you play football?"

Present Continuous

• Indicates actions ongoing at the moment of speaking and temporary situations.
• Used for planned future events and expressing annoyance with the adverb "always."
• Structure: Subject + am/is/are + verb + -ing.
• Example for positive statement: "They are studying now."
• Negative structure: Subject + am/is/are not + verb + -ing; e.g., "I am not watching TV."
• Question formation: Am/Is/Are + subject + verb + -ing? E.g., "Is she coming to the party?"

Common Mistakes

• Confusion between present simple and present continuous, particularly for ongoing actions.
• Incorrect usage example: "I read a book now." Correct form: "I am reading a book now."
• Misuse of present continuous for habitual actions is frequent.
• Incorrect usage example: "He is plays soccer every Saturday." Correct form: "He plays soccer every Saturday."
• Often, individuals forget to add "s" for third person singular in present simple.
• Incorrect usage example: "She walk to work." Correct form: "She walks to work."

Signal Words

• Present Simple indicators: always, usually, often, sometimes, never, every day/week/month/year.
• Present Continuous indicators: now, right now, at the moment, currently, this week/month/year, today.