Present Simple versus Present Continuous

(TESOL Worksheets--Present Simple, Present Continuous)
Google: docs, pub
(This is basically an exact copy of a worksheet that I previously made up for a business English class, but I redesigned it for pre-intermediate general English class.  I used this worksheet to supplement Life Pre-Intermediate lesson 1B The Secrets of Long Life p.12-13. )

Look at these example sentences.

Then discuss with a partner: In which situations do we use the present simple?

In which situations do we use the present continuous?

Present Simple	Present Continuous
I eat an apple every day. Lions eat meat. I sometimes watch football on TV. I’m always very happy. At the weekend they visit their grandparents.	He’s watching the news on TV at the moment. Vicky’s travelling to several African countries this year. Fewer people are buying cars this year.

For each situation, write in either present simple or present continuous.

1. We use the ________________to talk about habits and routines.

2. We use the ________________to talk about things happening now.

3. We use the ________________to talk about things that are always true.

4. We often use adverbs of frequency (always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never) with the ________________to talk about how often we do something.

5. We use the ________________to talk about things happening around now, but not necessarily at the moment.

6. We use the ________________ to talk about current trends and changing situations.

7. We don’t usually use stative verbs (be, have, like, love, hate, want) in the ________________ .

Answers:

1. We use the present simple to talk about habits and routines.

example: I eat an apple every day.

2. We use the present continuous to talk about things happening now.

example: He’s watching the news on TV at the moment.

3. We use the present simple to talk about things that are always true.

example: Lions eat meat.

4. We often use adverbs of frequency (always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never) with the present simple to talk about how often we do something.

examples: I sometimes watch football on TV.

I am always very happy.

5. We use the present continuous to talk about things happening around now, but not necessarily at the moment.

examples: Vicky’s travelling to several African countries this year.

6. We use the present continuous to talk about current trends and changing situations.

examples: Fewer people are buying cars this year.

7. We don’t usually use stative verbs (be, have, like, love, hate, want) in the present continuous.