Present Simple or Present Progressive

Present Simple or Present Progressive

Grammar Game

The Present Simple is used to talk about a present habit or routine. We use it for present situations that are not temporary. The following time expressions are commonly used with this tense:

Always

Usually

Generally

Frequently

Often

Sometimes

Hardly ever

Rarely

Never

Once in a while, etc.

Ex. I Always eat breakfast.

The Present Continuous is used to describe action in progress at the time of speaking. It can describe temporary actions or situations that are in progress around now, but not necessarily right now. The following time expressions are commonly used with this tense:

(Right) now

Today

This morning

This week

This month

This year

This semester

This season

These days, etc.

Ex. I am playing a game right now.

CHOOSE THE BEST SENTENCE: 1. A. What are you doing right now? B. What do you do right now?

2. A. What do you usually do after work? B. What are you usually doing after work?

3. A. I’m working late today. B. I work late today.

4. A. He’s smoking a lot these days! B. He smokes a lot these days!

5. A. I always exercise at the gym. B. I am always exercising at the gym.

6. A. He is watching football once in a while. B. He watches football once in a while.

7. A. I’m learing Spanish this year. B. I learn Spanish this year.

8. A. She is generally being in a good mood. B. She is generally in a good mood.

9. A. She’s living in her sister’s apartment this semester. B. She lives in her sister’s apartment this semester.

10. A. I’m teaching at the new high school this month. B. I teach at the new high school this month.

11. A. I never check my email on the weekend. B. I am never checking my email on the weekend.

12. A. Bernard plays tennis this morning. B. Bernard is playing tennis this morning.

13. A. Anna drives to work every day. B. Anna is driving to work every day.

14. A. I hardly ever read the newspaper. B. I am hardly ever reading the newspaper.

15. A. Are you often going swimming? B. Do you often go swimming?

16. A. I go to the gym a lot these days. B. I am going to the gym a lot these days.

17. A. I am frequently practicing guitar. B. I frequently practice guitar.

18. A. They are generally eating dinner with their parents. B. They generally eat dinner with their parents.

19. A. Gabriel is doing his homework right now. B. Gabriel does his homework right now.

20. A. Are they always waking up at 7 am? B. Do they always wake up at 7 am?

21. A. This summer I am learning to swim. B. This summer I learn to swim.

22. A. He never buys books. B. He is never buying books.

23. A. This semester she is studying really hard. B. This semester she studies hard.

24. A. This month I take the bus. B. This month I am taking the bus.

25. A. Is she usually calling after work? B. Does she usually call after work?

Answers

15. B 16. B 17. B 18. B 19. A 20. B 21. A

22. A 23. A 24. B 25. B

1. A 2. A 3. B 4. A 5. A 6. B 7. A

8. B 9. A 10. A 11. A 12. B 13. A 14. A