Lesson 6 · Stage 1: The basics
Present simple vs present continuous
BeginnerForm & use
I work vs I'm working; know, want, like rarely take -ing — a habit or a fact vs what is happening now
1.Quick comparison
| Present simple (I do) | Present continuous (I am doing) |
|---|---|
| Things in general, repeated actions, habits | Things happening now or around now |
| Long-term, permanent situations | Temporary situations |
| Facts that are always true | Changes in progress |
He works in a bank. This week he's working from home.
permanent ↔ temporary
What do you do? — What are you doing?
your job ↔ your activity right now
It rains a lot in September. Take an umbrella — it's raining.
I usually walk to school, but today I'm taking the bus.
Ask yourself: “Is this going on around now, and will it stop?” → continuous. “Is this a routine, or simply how things are?” → present simple.
2.State verbs
Verbs of thinking, feeling, owning and the senses are usually not used in the continuous, even when you mean right now.
| Group | Verbs |
|---|---|
| Liking / wanting | like, love, hate, want, need, prefer, wish |
| Thinking / knowing | know, understand, believe, remember, forget, mean, realise, suppose, recognise |
| Owning | have (= own), own, belong, contain, include |
| Senses / appearance | see, hear, smell, taste, seem, look (= seem), sound |
| Others | cost, weigh, depend, matter, fit, consist |
I'm thirsty. I want some water.
not: I'm wanting
Do you remember her name?
This bag belongs to my sister.
3.Verbs with two meanings
Some verbs can describe a state or an action. The state meaning takes the present simple; the action meaning can be continuous.
| Verb | State (simple) | Action (continuous) |
|---|---|---|
| think | I think it's a good idea. (= have an opinion) | I'm thinking about my future. (= considering) |
| have | She has two cats. (= owns) | She's having a shower. (= taking) |
| see | I see what you mean. (= understand, notice) | I'm seeing the doctor at 3. (= meeting) |
| taste / smell | This soup tastes salty. (= has a flavour) | He's tasting the soup. (= trying) |
| look | You look tired. (= seem) | Why are you looking at me? (= directing your eyes) |
| be | He's rude. (= his character) | He's being rude today. (= behaving) |
With feel and look about health, both tenses are fine: How do you feel? = How are you feeling?
4.always: habit or complaint
I always take the stairs.
present simple: every time
You're always losing your keys!
continuous: a complaint — it happens too often
5.Common mistakes
I'm knowing the answer.I know the answer.
know is a state verb.
She is having a big house.She has a big house.
have = own → no continuous.
Look! The bus comes.Look! The bus is coming.
It's happening as you speak.
I'm usually getting up at 6.I usually get up at 6.
A habit → present simple.
What do you think about? — I think about my exam.What are you thinking about? — I'm thinking about my exam.
think = considering → continuous is fine.
Examples
- Be quiet! The baby is sleeping.
- Look! It is raining again.
- I understand what you mean.
- Nga usually walks to work, but this week she's taking the bus.
