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The present continuous, part 3 of 3
Present Simple vs Present Continuous: When to Use Each One
Use the present simple for what always happens (I walk to work) and the continuous for now or these days (I'm taking the bus this week).
The idea
How to choose between the two presents
The present simple is for what always happens; the continuous, for now or these days. State verbs almost always take the simple.
- Always: simple. Habits and facts: He drives a taxi.
- Now: continuous. Now or these days: Today he is driving a van.
- States: no -ing. Know, want, need: I know him.
When to use it
To choose between I work and I am working, which are not the same in English. These expressions go with it:
With the present simple
- every day
- usually
- on weekends
- never
With the continuous
- right now
- at the moment
- this week
- these days
Almost never with -ing
- know
- want
- need
- believe
Examples
- Your job (always)
I teach at a high school.
- Today, different
Today I am working from home.
- A habit
We eat dinner at seven.
- Something these days
My cousin is staying with us this month.
- A state (no -ing)
I know the answer.
- What you see now
Look! The bus is leaving.
How to build it
3 steps
- Is it a habit or a fact?Present simple:She walks to work.
- Is it happening now or these days?Present continuous:She is walking today.
- Is it a state?Know, want, need, like: almost always the present simple, even now:She wants a new phone.
Present simple
- SubjectHe
- verb (+ -s)drives
- complementa taxi.
Present continuous
- SubjectHe
- am / is / areis
- verb + -ingdriving
- complementhome.
The rule
Which one?
| When | Example | Form |
|---|---|---|
| A habit | I run on Sundays. | present simple |
| A fact | Cats like fish. | present simple |
| Right now | I am running to the store. | continuous |
| These days | I am running a lot this month. | continuous |
State verbs: no -ing
| Verb | Right | Wrong |
|---|---|---|
| know | I know his name. | I'm knowing his name. |
| want | She wants pizza. | She is wanting pizza. |
| need | We need help. | We are needing help. |
| believe | I believe you. | I'm believing you. |
How to pronounce it
usually
/ˈjuʒuəli/The middle s is /ʒ/, as in vision.
these days
/ðiz deɪz/Long /i/ in these; both s sounds buzz.
right now
/raɪt naʊ/The t in right is very light before now.
Check
Right now she (blank) a shower. Which one goes in the blank?
Don't confuse it with like + -ing
I like dancing.
In general
I'm dancing.
Now
In I like dancing, the -ing does not mean now: it is what you like in general, and the sentence is in the present simple.
Like + -ingIn real life
Have takes -ing when it does not mean own: I'm having lunch, We're having fun. To own something, no -ing: I have a car.
Frequently asked questions
Why does McDonald's say "I'm lovin' it" if love takes no -ing?
It is a slogan: it breaks the rule on purpose to sound like "right now". In everyday English people say I love it.
Is "I live in Lima" simple or continuous?
If it is your home, I live in Lima. If it is for a while (a year of studies), I'm living in Lima this year.
Does think take -ing?
It depends: I think so (an opinion) has no -ing; I'm thinking about it (the process) does.
Does always go with the continuous?
Almost always with the present simple: She always calls me. With the continuous it sounds like a complaint: He's always losing his keys!
In short
- Habits and facts: present simple, I walk to work.
- Now or these days: continuous, I am walking today.
- Know, want, need, and like almost never take -ing: I know.
- Every day, usually: simple. Now, these days: continuous.