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We use the present simple to talk about permanent facts and general truths. In this example we don’t expect the situation to change. She ’s living with her parents. We use the present continuous to talk about something temporary. In this example we do expect the situation to change.
- English (US)
Present simple or present continuous? - English Grammar...
- English (US)
May 25, 2024 · Key Differences between Present Simple and Present Continuous. 1. Usage. Present Simple: Used for habitual actions, general truths, and fixed schedules. Present Continuous: Used for actions happening now, temporary situations, and arranged future plans. 2. Time Expressions
The core difference is between permanent situations, where we use the present simple, and temporary ones, where we use the present continuous. For example, if you live somewhere wet you might say: It often rains in this part of the country.
The present continuous describes a state of being, meaning the situation you're in at a given moment. In your example the speaker is saying that they are constantly busy and at any given moment if they are not busy doing one thing then they are busy doing another.
- Present Simple vs. Present Continuous
- Present Simple Tense
- Present Continuous Tense
- Present Simple vs Present Continuous
- Affirmative, Negative, Questions
- Questions – Same Verbs, Different Meanings
I speakEnglish.I am speakingEnglish.We use the present simple tense: 1. For facts or things that are always true or generally true. 1. Whales live in the ocean. (This is a fact, this is always true) 2. A dog has four legs. (This is generally true, unfortunately some dogs have three legs or less) 3. It rains a lot in winter. (Yes, this is generally true) 4. Water boils at 100º Celsius...
We use the present continuous tense: 1. An action happening right now at the moment of speaking. When somebody is doing something right now or something is happening right now. 1. I am teachingan English lesson. (Yes, that is what is happening right now) 2. You are watchinga video. 3. Steve is washinghis hair. 4. She is takingher dog for a walk. 5....
Here are the sentences from the beginning of this lesson. 1. I speakEnglish 2. I am speaking We say I speak English, because it is a fact. I generally speak English. So we use the Present Simple tense. We say I am speaking Englishbecause it refers to what I am doing now. It is a temporary action because in a moment I might start speaking in Spanish...
Let’s compare the present simple and present continuousin affirmative sentences, negative sentences and in questions. Here are two affirmative sentences: 1. I eatcereal every day. (This is my habit, my routine) 2. I am eatingcereal right now. (This is an action happening now) Let’s look at the negative form: 1. I do noteat cereal every day. (No, so...
Questions can have the same verb but its meaning changes depending on if the question is in the present simple or present continuous. For example: 1. What do you do? = What is your job? 2. What are you doing? = What (action) are you doing at the moment? 3. What do you read? = What type of books do you like to read? 4. What are you reading? = What i...
Present Simple: Present Continuous: Things which are always true: Water boils at 100 degrees. Things which are happening at the moment of speaking: The water is boiling now, so you can put in the pasta. Permanent situations (or nearly permanent; true for a few years at least): Julie lives in London. Temporary situations:
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What is the difference between a simple and a continuous?
What is the difference between present simple and present continuous?
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Jan 23, 2012 · Progressive forms put an emphasis on the continuity of an activity. Simple and perfect verb forms, on the other hand, emphasize the idea of completion. I had been playing video games for a long time. (Here the emphasis is on the continuity of the situation.) I had watched all the videos.
