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Present simple or continuous

 Present simple (they play)  present progressive (continuous) (they are playing) :

 - They play tennis very well  ...it is a statement of fact

 - They play tennis on Saturday afternoons...it is a habit

 - What are they doing now? - they are playing tennis...that happens right now

 Present progressive (present continuous):

 It is used when the action is done while you are talking.

 The present progressive is formed with  'to be' in the present tense+the present participle of the verb.

Here are some examples:

Look! he's sleeping.

Somebody is waiting for you.

What are you looking at?

What are you looking for?

What is she doing? - She must be working in the garden.

He is writing a new novel.

I am reading a good book. 

Don't take this book, I'm reading it!

 The present simple :

1) It is used for facts that are true now and later:

 Examples:

 Spring begins on March 21st.

The Earth revolves round the Sun.

He plays the piano.

 2) It may express a repetition or a habit:

 Examples:

 We have tea at 4.

She goes to London twice a month.

 Compare these two sentences:

 He wears glasses because he is short-sighted. Why isn't he wearing them today?

 He's learning his lessons. He always learns them at the last minute.

  Exercise: complete the sentences with the present simple or the present continuous. 

 

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English exercise "Present simple or continuous" created by lucile83 with The test builder. [More lessons & exercises from lucile83]
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1. John usually (cut) the grass on Saturday afternoons.

2. I (do) his ironing today because he is going to London tomorrow afternoon on the 2.30 train.

3. We (not see) you very often. Why don't you come round for a cup of tea?

4. Hey! Who (you/ think) of? - My boyfriend!

5. What (you / think) about them? - I think they're friendly.

6. (like/you) our country? -Yes, it's wonderful.

7. I even (prefer) England to my own country.

8. He (play) at the Albert Hall tonight.

9. He usually (play) at Central Park.

10. That woman (look) friendly, doesn't she?