Present simple & present continuous

Present simple

We use the present simple to talk abut things in general: Nurses look after patients in hospitals. Petar works at Pliva Mladen likes Marija

We use it to say something happens all the time or repeatedly The earth goes around the sun. I usually go away at weekends.

We use do or does to make negative sentences: I come from Canada. Where do you come from?

We use present simple when we say how often we do things: I get up at 6 o’clock every morning. Silvija drinks tea twice a day. In summer, John usually plays tennis once a week.

Present continuous

We use present continuous for action that is happening at the time of speaking She is driving to work (at this moment) He is washing his hands. I am going to bed now.

Sometimes the action is not happening at the time of speaking I am reading an interesting book at the moment. Some friends of mine are building their own home. They hope it will be finished before next summer.

We use the present continuous when we talk about things happening in a period around now (today / this week/ this evening, etc.) You are working hard today. I am going out this evening. I am living with some friends until I find a flat. You are working hard today.

The present continuous is usually used with doing verbs (verbs of action) not with verbs of state. The following verbs are not used in the continuous form: Conditions: belong, cost, need, own, seem Feelings: like, love, hate, want, wish Beliefs: believe, feel, know, mean, remember think understand

Summary: Present continuous is used for something that is happening at or around the time of speaking Present simple is used for things in general or things that happen repeatedly