Present simple: habits, facts and states
Use the present simple for habits, general facts and many states. I walk to school every day. describes a habit. My brother lives in Paris. presents a situation as a fact. It does not mean that the situation must remain true forever.
For affirmative sentences, usually use the base form of the verb. With he, she or it, often add -s: She works. Some forms change: He goes. and She has.
For questions and negatives with most verbs, use do or does, followed by the base form: Does she work here? and She doesn’t work here. Do not add another -s to work after does. The verb be works differently: Is she ready?
Present continuous: an activity in progress
Build the present continuous with am, is or are, followed by the -ing form: I am reading., She is reading. and They are reading.
This form can describe what is happening as you speak: Please wait. I’m looking for my ticket. It can also describe a temporary activity around the present: We’re staying with friends this week. You do not have to be inside their home at the exact moment you say this.
For a question, put be before the subject: Are you waiting? For a negative, add not: I’m not waiting. In French, both a habit and a current activity might use je travaille; the English form helps express the viewpoint.
Compare meanings, not just signal words
| General situation | In progress or temporary |
|---|---|
| I work in a café. This is my job. | I’m working in a café this month. I present this as temporary. |
| She usually takes the bus. This is her habit. | She’s walking today. Today is different. |
Words such as usually and now provide useful clues. They do not choose the tense for you. Check the meaning of the whole sentence and the situation.
Be careful with state verbs
Verbs such as know, understand, want and need usually take the simple form in their ordinary state meanings. Say I understand now. and I need some help. The word now therefore does not automatically require an -ing form.
A verb’s meaning can also change. I have a bike. expresses possession, while I’m having lunch. describes an activity. Begin with the common patterns and gradually notice other uses in context. These two tenses have further uses, but you do not need to learn every exception before practising this basic distinction.
Your turn
Choose the form that fits each situation.
- Every Monday: Mia ____ football. (plays / is playing)
- Look outside: It ____! (rains / is raining)
- After an explanation: I ____ now. (understand / am understanding)
- A temporary visit: We ____ in Brussels this week. (stay / are staying)
- Ask about a habit: ____ your brother work on Saturdays? (Does / Is)
- She is eating her meal: She ____ lunch at the moment. (has / is having)
Show the explained answers
- plays: a habit.
- is raining: something observed now.
- understand: a state verb in its ordinary meaning.
- are staying: a temporary situation presented as in progress.
- Does: a present simple question, followed by the base form work.
- is having: here, have lunch describes an activity.
Take it with you
Choose the tense for your meaning: a habit or general state, an activity in progress or a temporary situation. Signal words are clues, not automatic rules.