Unit 23: Present Simple vs. Present Continuous

In this lesson we shall learn, the difference between Present Simple Tense and Present Continuous Tense.

 

Video Tutorial in English

Video Tutorial in Urdu

 

Students  often make mistakes in using Present Simple  and Present Continuous and are easily confused in using them properly. The only reason behind it which I have observed so far, is that they never try to understand the usage of different tenses and another problem is that they never think  before speaking and ultimately  make mistakes. I do not want  you to  think a lot but I do want you to at least think a bit before saying anything. In previous units we have already  learnt Present Simple and Present Continuous individually and I hope that you are still aware of the uses of these two tenses. If you haven't done these two units kindly stop reading here right now and go back to the previous lessons and then come back afterwards, otherwise you'll be having a lot of problems in understanding this unit.

Well, as I mentioned above that there is a difference between both of the tenses that is why we have them in English Language. Now we shall look at the basic differences  between Present Simple tense and Present Continuous tense

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Present Simple Tense	Preset Continuous Tense
Present Simple tense expresses habits or usual activities. e.g.  I study at school everyday. (not happening at the time of speaking) My class fellow maintains the board everyday. not happening at the time of speaking)	Present Continuous Tense expresses actions happening at the time of speaking e.g. I am studying at school right now. (happening at the time of speaking) My class fellow is maintaining  the board right now.( happening at the time of speaking)
In Present Simple Tense we use  Do/Does as helping verbs in Negative and Interrogative Sentences. e.g. I do not like cricket. He does not play cricket. Do you brush your teeth everyday night? Does Salma often call  you?	In Present Continuous Tense  we use Is/Am/Are as helping verbs in Affirmative , Negative and Interrogative sentences as well. e.g. I am not playing cricket right now. He is not telling the correct number. Are you enjoying this game? Is she talking to your brother?

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Remember that there are other uses of Present Simple and Present Continuous Tense too. In this unit we have learnt the basic difference between Present Simple and Present Continuous. Must keep in mind that practically using the tenses  in your daily life will have you understand in every manner and only then you will be able to differentiate between the two.

Again I come to the same point , think before speaking. Think what you want to talk about, is it a  habitual action or  an action happening at the time of speaking ? When you easily differentiate in these two things it means you are on the right path and you are improving  your English gradually.

That's all today . Don't forget to solve the following exercises as  they will judge how much you understood this Unit.

Have Fun!!!!

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Exercise 1: Complete the following sentences with the words in parentheses.

1. I  (walk) to school everyday. I (take , not)   the bus.
2. I (read)    the newspaper everyday. I (read , not)    my grammar book everyday.
3. A: What  (you , read)    right now?

          B: I  (read )      my grammar book.

4. Robert  (cook)    his own dinner every evening.
5. Right now Robert is in his kitchen. He  (cook)  rice and beans for dinner.
6. Robert is a vegetarian. He (eat , not )    meat.
7. (you , cook )    your own dinner  everyday?
8. Ahmed  (talk)      to his classmates everyday in class. Right now he (talk)    to Najma.
9. Najma and Ahmed (sit)     next to each other in class every day, so they often (help)  each other  with their grammar exercises. Right now Najma  (help)    Ahmed with an exercise on present verb tense.
10. It (rain)    a lot in this city , but it (rain, not)    right now. The sun (shine)  . (it , rain)  a lot in your home town?

Check Answers

1. walk ,  do not take.
2. read ,  do not read.
3.  are you doing?   am reading.
4. cooks.
5. is cooking
6. does not eat.
7. Do you cook.
8. talks ,  is talking.
9. sit , help , is helping.
10. rains , is not raining , is shining , does it rain.