PRESENT SIMPLE / PRESENT CONTINUOUS

1. He usually (drink) ____________________ coffee but today he (drink) ____________________ tea.

2. What she (do) ____________________________________ in the evenings?
She usually (play) ______________________ cards or (watch) __________________________ TV.
3. The last train (leave) ____________________ the station at 11.30.
4. He (speak) ____________________ so quickly that I (not understand) _________________________
him.
5. I (wear) __________________________ sunglasses today because the sun (be) _________________
very strong.
6. Why you (put) ______________________________________ on your coat?
I (go) __________________________ for a walk. You (come) _____________________________
with me?
Yes, Id love to come. You (mind) _____________________________________ if I bring my dog?
7. You (love) ____________________________________________________ him?
No, I (like) _______________________ him very much but I (not love) _______________________
him.
8. You (write) ___________________________________________________ to Peter tonight?
Yes, I always (write) _______________________________________ to him on his birthday.
You (want) _______________________________________________ to send any message?
9. You (hear) ______________________________________________________ the wind? It (blow)
_____________________________________________________________ very strongly tonight.
10. He never (listen) ___________________________________________ to what you say. He always
(think) _____________________________________________________ about something else.
11. Why you (walk) _____________________________________ so fast today? You usually (walk)
_____________________________________ quite slowly.
Im hurrying because I (meet) ___________________________________ my mother at 4 oclock
and she (not like) ________________________________________________ to be kept waiting.
12. He (save) ______________________________ up because he (go) __________________________
_________________________________________ abroad in July.
13. What he (do) ____________________________________________ to his car now?
I (think) _________________________ he (polish) __________________________________ it.
14. What you (wait) _____________________________________________________________ for?
I (wait) ______________________________________________________ for the shop to open.
But it (not open) ______________________________________________________ till 9.00.
15. Tom never (do) _________________________________ any work in the garden; he always (work)
_________________________________________ on his car.

PRESENT SIMPLE / PRESENT CONTINUOUS

EXERCISE A

Decide whether the verbs in these sentences are RIGHT or WRONG.

Correct the verbs that are wrong.

Examples:
I don't know your telephone number.

RIGHT

Please don't make so much noise. I study.

WRONG - Please don't make so much noise.

I am studying.

1.

Look! Somebody is climbing that tree over there.

______________________________________________________________________ .
2.

Can you hear those people? What do they talk about?

______________________________________________________________________ ?
3.

Are you believing in God?

______________________________________________________________________ ?
4.

Look! That man tries to open the door of your car.

_______________________________________________________________________.
5.

The moon goes around the earth.

_______________________________________________________________________.
6.

What are you thinking about my idea?

______________________________________________________________________ ?
7.

The government is worried because the number of people without jobs is increasing.

_______________________________________________________________________.
8.

I am usually going to work by car.

_______________________________________________________________________.

EXERCISE B

Put the verbs into the CORRECT form:

Present Continuous (I am going) or Simple Present (I go).

1.

I ___________________________________________ (not/belong) to a political party.

2.

Hurry! The bus __________________________________________________ (come).

I ___________________________________________________ (not/want) to miss it.

3.

The Nile River ____________________________________ (flow) into the Mediterranean.

4.

The river ___________________________ (flow) very fast today - much faster than usual.

5.

____________________________________________________ (it/ever/snow) in India?

6.

We usually ____________________________________ (grow) vegetables in our garden,

but this year we ____________________________________________ (not/grow) any.

7.

A: Can you drive?

B: No, but I _____________________________________________________ (learn).

8.

You can borrow my umbrella. I ____________________________ (not/need) it right now.

9.

I ___________________________________ (get) hungry. Let's go get something to eat.

10. George is a vegetarian. He _____________________________________ (not/eat) meat.

11. George says he's 80 years old, but I _____________________________ (not/believe) him.
12. Ron is in Caracas now. He ______________________________ (stay) at the Hilton Hotel.
He usually __________________________ (stay) at the Hilton Hotel when he's in Caracas.
13. My parents _______________________________ (live) in Acapulco. They were born there and
have never lived anywhere else. Where _____________________________________ (your
parents/live)?
14. She _____________________________ (stay) with her sister until she finds somewhere else to live.
15. A: What ________________________________________________ (your father/do)?
B: He's a teacher in Lima, but he ____________________________ (not/work) right now.
16. Please don't make so much noise. I ___________________________________ (study).
17. How many languages _________________________________________ (Tom/speak)?
18. Jean _______________________________________ (not speak) any foreign language.

PRESENT SIMPLE or PRESENT CONTINUOUS?

Choose one verb from the list to fill each space. Use present simple or present continuous.
listen to - go - play - sit - live - happen - have - write - come - make
The people who ___________________ next door to me are not very good neighbours. They
___________________ a lot of noise all the time of the day and night, they ___________________
loud music at 3 oclock in the morning and often ___________________ parties with lots of
people, music and laughter. Sometimes I ___________________ to their house to complain but
they dont take any notice of me.
This is why I ___________________ a letter to you now. At this moment they ___________________
to some very loud music. It ___________________ through the wall and I can hear it very clearly
although I ___________________ at least three metres from the wall at my desk.
This ___________________ every day, for hours. Can you do anything to help me?
Complete the sentences. Use: present simple, present continuous,
past simple, past continuous
1.

You can turn off the TV. I ______________________________ (not watch) it.

2.

Last night Mary ___________________ (fall) asleep while she ___________________________

(read).

3.

Listen! Somebody ______________________________ (play) the piano.

4.

Have you got my key? No, I ______________________________ (give) it back to you.

5.

John is very lazy. He ______________________________ (not like) hard work.

6.

Where ______________________________ (your parents / go) for their holidays last year?

7.

I ___________________ (see) Meg yesterday. She _________________________ (drive) her new

car.

8.

A: ______________________________ (you / watch) TV very often?

B: No, I havent got a TV set.

9.

A: ______________________________ (you / do) at 6 oclock last Sunday morning?

B: I ______________________________ (sleep).

10. Tom isnt at home very much. He ______________________________ (go) away a lot.
11. I ______________________________ (try) to find a job at the moment. Its very difficult.
12. Im tired this morning. I ______________________________ (not sleep) very well last night.
Dear Fiona,

Im very happy. Right now I ______________________________ (look) through my window and it is

snowing. Lucy and I ______________________________ (ski) tomorrow morning. Well, she
______________________________ (have) some lessons with an instructor. I dont need any
lessons. My dad ______________________________ (give) me some lessons last year and Im an
excellent skier! I ______________________________ (joke) I must learn a lot!!
Tonight we ______________________________ (go) to a disco with some new friends.
A tourist guide ______________________________ (give) us two free tickets. We
______________________________ (not stay) late. We must get up early tomorrow!
PUT THE VERBS IN BRACKETS INTO THE CORRECT TENSE:
1- Its eleven oclock now. Terry _____________________________ . (get up)
2- Mrs Royston _____________________________ in a shop from Monday to Friday. (work)
3- They _____________________________ (go) to a disco every Saturday.
4- We _____________________________ (go) to the cinema. Would you like to come?
5- Sue! Where are you?
I _____________________________ (have) a bath.
6- I _____________________________ (look) for my bag. Is it in here?
7- Why dont you go out?
I cant. It _____________________________ . It always ________________________ on Saturdays. (rain)
8- Dont get in my way. I _____________________________ . (work)
9- Mr Moore ________________ to London every day, but today he _____________________ to America.
(travel)
10- Kim _________________________ her homework. She always ______________________ it after dinner.
(do)
11- Sue _____________________________ (do) her community work every Saturday.
12- I _____________________________ (not go) to work today. Im ill.
13- Alice _____________________________ (wear) her new dress. Isnt it nice?
14- Terry _____________________________ (like) Tears for Fears.
15- Jackies family _____________________________ (move) today.
16- Jackie _____________________________ (put) some pictures on her bedroom wall at the moment.
17- I always _________________________ (watch) Top of the Pops on Thursdays. But I cant watch my
favourite programme today because the TV repair man __________________________ (mend) the TV.
18- Megs guitar teacher is ill. She _____________________________ (not have) a lesson today.
19- Sue _____________________________ (get) a letter from her friend every month.
20- Jim _____________________________ (need) eight hours of sleep a night.

-------------------------------------------------------------------TRAVELLING BY PLANE. COMPLETE THE SENTENCES WITH: You must / You mustnt / You dont have to

1- _________________________ watch the film.

2- _________________________ sit in the seat marked on your boarding card.
3- _________________________ try to open a door.
4- _________________________ take a gun on board the plane.
5-_________________________ show your boarding card to get on the plane.
6- _________________________ look out of the window.
7- _________________________ fasten your seat belt during take-off and landing.
8- _________________________ smoke in the non-smoking section.
9- _________________________ speak to the person next to you.
10- _________________________ sit in your seat during take-off and landing.

------------------------------------------------------------------- You are asking a friend about his or her routine. Look at the example and ask similar questions. Then
answer them:

What time / get up?

What time do you get up?
1- What time / have breakfast? ________________________________________________
2- What / do after breakfast? ________________________________________________
3- What time / go to school?________________________________________________
4- Where / have lunch? ________________________________________________
5- What time / go home?________________________________________________
6- What time / have dinner? ________________________________________________
7- What / do in the evening? ________________________________________________
8- What time / go to bed? ________________________________________________
--------------------------------------------------- Look at the examples and write sentences in a similar way:
Shirley lives alone.
No, she doesnt. She lives with her mother.
Carlos and Helena live in a house.
No, they dont. They live in a flat.
1- Selma comes from Rio / Recife
2- Vera lives in Paris / Lisbon

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

3- Maria and Joan come from Madrid / Barcelona ________________________________________________

4- Brenda lives alone / with her children
5- Kevin comes from England / Ireland

________________________________________________
________________________________________________

6- Laura and James play the piano / the guitar ________________________________________________

--------------------------------------------------- Look at the examples and make questions in a similar way:
he / play / football?
Does he play football?
they / like / fish?
Do they like fish?
1- she / work / factory?
2- they / live / Leeds?

________________________________________________
________________________________________________

3- he / work / for the government? ________________________________________________

4- she / live / with her teenage children? ________________________________________________

5- he / work / alone?

________________________________________________

6- they / live / centre of London? ________________________________________________

--------------------------------------------------- Look at the examples and ask similar questions:
the library / open?
What time does the library open?
1- the shops / close?

________________________________________________

2- the post office / open? ________________________________________________

3- the concert / start?

________________________________________________

4- the banks / close? ________________________________________________

5- the film / finish? ________________________________________________
6- the TV programme / start? ________________________________________________
----------------------------------------------------

Tense Review Present Simple Present Continuous

I'm eating cereal. I always eat cereal in the morning.
Remember that the Present Continuous is used to express action at the moment, and the Present Simple
is used to express routine action.
I'm jogging. I always jog in the park.
She's swimming. She swims every weekend.
We're going out. We go out every Friday.
Try to understand that the Present Simple is often used with time expressions or other clauses that express
routine or repetition. It is necessary to try to use the Present Simple this way.
Exercise 1
Example

Make sentences with the information below.

Jane / jog / every morning

Jane is jogging. She jogs every morning.

1. Paul / play guitar / every day

__________________________________________________________________________________
2. Martha / listen to the radio / in the evening
__________________________________________________________________________________
3. Mother / cook / every day
__________________________________________________________________________________
4. My brother / go out / every Saturday night
__________________________________________________________________________________
5. Father / look for his keys / every morning
__________________________________________________________________________________
6. My sister / take a shower / after work
__________________________________________________________________________________
7. Tom / wash his clothes / every weekend
__________________________________________________________________________________
8. Eddie / brush his teeth / before classes
__________________________________________________________________________________
9. My roommate / drink coffee / in the morning
__________________________________________________________________________________
10. Brad / eat lunch / at 1:00
__________________________________________________________________________________

Exercise 2

Answer the questions with the Present Continuous and Present Simple.

1. What's your brother doing? (work out / after school)

He's working out. That's what he always does after school.
2. What's your sister doing? (wash her hair / before she goes out)
__________________________________________________________________________________
3. What's your mother doing? (cook / in the afternoon)
__________________________________________________________________________________
4. What's your father doing? (clean the garage / on the weekend)
__________________________________________________________________________________
5. What are the children doing? (play / before dinner)
__________________________________________________________________________________
Exercise 3 Use the verbs work out, cry, shave, fix and travel in the sentences.
1a. My baby sister is _______________________________ .
1b. She always _______________________________ before she goes to bed.
2a. Phillip is _______________________________ in the gym.
2b. He usually _______________________________ every Saturday.
3a. Father is _______________________________ .
3b. He always _______________________________ before he goes to work.
4a. My brother is _______________________________ his car.
4b. He often _______________________________ his car because it's very old.
5a. Mrs. Conner is _______________________________ to Tokyo.
5b. She is very busy and always _______________________________ abroad.

Verbs and Adjectives

She's crying. She always cries when she's upset.
It is important to understand the difference between verbs and adjectives.
For example, the word sick is an adjective. You can say I am sick or He is a sick man. Both sentences use
sick as an adjective. If we want to use sick as a verb, we can add get as an auxiliary.
Look at the adjectives below.
busy
tired
late
hungry
thirsty
upset

angry (at)
nervous

hot
sick

cold
lazy

sad
happy

Remember that adjectives are used to express emotion, or give a description or condition of something or
someone. Verbs almost always express action (but there are exceptions, such as hate and love). For now
think of adjectives as description, and verbs as action. Look at the examples.
I'm thirsty. I'm drinking water. I always drink water when I'm thirsty.
He's tired. He's resting. He always rests when he's tired.
She's hungry. She's eating. She always eats when she's hungry.
When we say I'm thirsty we are describing a feeling. It is a need to drink something. I'm drinking water is
action at the moment, and I always drink water expresses routine action.

Exercise 4 Try to make sentences with the information.

Example Sue / angry / shout
Sue is angry. She's shouting. She always shouts when she's angry.
1. Peter / tired / rest
_________________________________________________________________________________
2. Lucy / upset / cry
_________________________________________________________________________________
3. The children / happy / smiling
_________________________________________________________________________________
4. I / hungry / eat
_________________________________________________________________________________
5. My dog / thirsty / drink
_________________________________________________________________________________

Verbs and Prepositions

I'm listening to the radio.
One problem for students is to know when and how to use prepositions with verbs. Some verbs require
specific prepositions. Let's review a few verbs and learn some prepositions.
listen
to
I'm listening to the radio.
speak
to
He's speaking to the boss.
write
to
She's writing to her mother.
go
to
They're going to work
wait
at, for
He's waiting for his wife at the airport.
laugh
at
I'm laughing at the joke.
play
with
The children are playing with their toys.
dance
with
She's dancing with her friend.
Learners often make mistakes because they forget the prepositions.
It isn't possible to say, for example, I'm waiting my wife.
You must say I'm waiting for my wife. Not all verbs require prepositions.
However it is necessary to simply memorize those that do.
Exercise 5

Complete the sentences below with the information. Use the possessive adjectives and
the Present Continuous.
1. I / listen / radio
_________________________________________________________________________________
2. She / wait / husband
_________________________________________________________________________________
3. He / go / English class
_________________________________________________________________________________
4. The girl / play / doll
_________________________________________________________________________________
5. He / speak / wife
_________________________________________________________________________________

 The Object Pronouns

She's speaking to him.
It's time now to learn the object pronouns.
I
you
he
she
it
we
they

my
your
his
her
its
our
their

mine
yours
his
hers
its
ours
theirs

me
you
him
her
it
us
them

The object pronouns are the objects. They always fall after a verb or preposition.
In other languages it is possible to say a sentence in various ways.
But English sentence structure, as already mentioned, is much stricter.
I see him. I know her.
I work with them.
It isn't possible to say, for example, I him see or See him I.
In English the object pronoun always comes after the verb or preposition.
Other languages sometimes use a special case system that may require a specific verb to be used.
This is not so with English. The object pronouns are used in all situations and with all the verbs.
Exercise 6

Put the sentences below in the correct order.

1. I'm to the radio listening. I to it listen every day.

_________________________________________________________________________________
2. He is for his brother waiting. He for him waits after work.
_________________________________________________________________________________
3. She her hair is washing. She it washes in the morning.
_________________________________________________________________________________
4. Their teeth the children are brushing. They them brush before school.
_________________________________________________________________________________
5. Linda with her boyfriend is dancing. She with him dances every Saturday.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Exercise 7

Put the words below in the correct order.

1) is / having / he / breakfast
_________________________________________________________________________________
2) every / basketball / play / I / Tuesday
_________________________________________________________________________________
3) 7:30 / gets up / my father / at
_________________________________________________________________________________
4) do / what / every / day / do / you / ?
_________________________________________________________________________________
5) holiday / going / I'm / on / thinking / of
_________________________________________________________________________________
6) I do / read / do / you / books / a lot of / Yes,
_________________________________________________________________________________
7) and / sometimes / the cinema / my friend / I / to / go

_________________________________________________________________________________
8) brother / doesn't / Canada / live / my / in
_________________________________________________________________________________
9) to / How / go / do / ? / you / school
_________________________________________________________________________________
10) the summer / really / important / sun cream / wear / it's / to / in
_________________________________________________________________________________
11) days / these / Peter /what / doing / is / ?
_________________________________________________________________________________
12) looking / I'm / for / at / a job / the moment
_________________________________________________________________________________
13) visit / at / I / Christmas / my parents / will
_________________________________________________________________________________
Simple Present / Present Continuous
1. Every Monday, Sally (drive) _______________ her kids to football practice.
2. Usually, I (work) _______________ as a secretary at ABT, but this summer I (study)
_______________ French at a language school in Paris. That is why I am in Paris.
3. Shhhhh! Be quiet! John (sleep) _______________.
4. Don't forget to take your umbrella. It (rain) _______________.
5. I hate living in Seattle because it (rain, always) _______________.
6. I'm sorry I can't hear what you (say) _______________ because everybody (talk) _______________ so
loudly.
7. Justin (write, currently) _______________ a book about his adventures in Tibet. I hope he can find a
good publisher when he is finished.
8. A: Do you want to come over for dinner tonight?
B: Oh, I'm sorry, I can't. I (go) _______________ to a movie tonight with some friends.
9. The business cards (be, normally) _______________ printed by a company in New York. Their prices
(be) _______________ inexpensive, yet the quality of their work is quite good.
10. This delicious chocolate (be) _____________ made by a small chocolatier in Zurich, Switzerland.
----------------------------------------------------------PRESENT SIMPLE OR PRESENT CONTINUOUS?
1. _______________________________________ your homework at night? (you / always / do)
2. _______________________________________ her teeth at the moment. (she / clean)
3. Tom _______________________________________ in London. (not / live)
4. _______________________________________ books in your free time? (you / read)
5. When _______________________________________ (Mary / usually / get up)?
6. I can't go now. _______________________________________ your dinner. (I / cook)
7. _______________________________________ to Lake Balaton every summer. (we / go)
8. _______________________________________ your homework in the afternoon? (you / do)
9. We _______________________________________ our friends very often. (not / visit)
10. Mary _______________________________________ her mother. (never / help)
11. Excuse me, but _______________________________________ on my foot. (you / stand)
12. Where _______________________________________? It's only six o'clock! (you / go)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Present Simple or the Present Continuous. Complete the sentences with the verbs in brackets.
1- How often __________ you __________ (buy) new clothes?
2- __________ it __________ (rain) now?
3- How much money __________ Jo usually __________ (spend) a week?
4- What time __________ your mum __________ (get up)?
5- We __________ (not do) exams at the moment?
6- Sam Clarke __________ (work) in a factory. Hes an engineer.
7- Its very hot. Why __________ you __________ (wear) a sweater?
8- We __________ (not go) to school on Saturdays.
9- I __________ (save) my pocket money at the moment.
10- Annie __________ ( not like) swimming very much.
11- The players __________ (train) hard this month.
Simple Present / Present Continuous
1. Every Monday, Sally (drive) _______________ her kids to football practice.
2. Usually, I (work) _______________ as a secretary at ABT, but this summer I (study)
_______________ French at a language school in Paris. That is why I am in Paris.
3. Shhhhh! Be quiet! John (sleep) _______________.
4. Don't forget to take your umbrella. It (rain) _______________.
5. I hate living in Seattle because it (rain, always) _______________.
6. I'm sorry I can't hear what you (say) _______________ because everybody (talk) _______________ so
loudly.
7. Justin (write, currently) _______________ a book about his adventures in Tibet. I hope he can find a
good publisher when he is finished.
8. A: Do you want to come over for dinner tonight?
B: Oh, I'm sorry, I can't. I (go) _______________ to a movie tonight with some friends.
9. The business cards (be, normally) _______________ printed by a company in New York. Their prices
(be) _______________ inexpensive, yet the quality of their work is quite good.
10. This delicious chocolate (be) _____________ made by a small chocolatier in Zurich, Switzerland.
----------------------------------------------------------A Trekking Journal
November 12, 1997
Today (be) ________________________ the second day of my trek around Mount Annapurna. I am
exhausted and my legs (shake) ________________________ ; I just hope I am able to complete the trek.
My feet (kill, really) ________________________ me and my toes (bleed) _______________________ ,
but I (want, still) ________________________ to continue.
Nepal is a fascinating country, but I have a great deal to learn. Everything (be)
________________________ so different, and I (try) ________________________ to adapt to the new
way of life here. I (learn) ________________________ a little bit of the language to make
communication easier; unfortunately, I (learn, not) ________________________ foreign languages
quickly. Although I (understand, not) ________________________ much yet, I believe that I (improve,

gradually) ________________________ .
I (travel, currently) ________________________ with Liam, a student from Leeds University in England.
He (be) ________________________ a nice guy, but impatient. He (walk, always)
________________________ ahead of me and (complain) ________________________ that I am too
slow. I (do) ________________________ my best to keep up with him, but he is younger and stronger
than I am. Maybe, I am just feeling sorry for myself because I am getting old.
Right now, Liam (sit) ________________________ with the owner of the inn. They (discuss)
________________________ the differences between life in England and life in Nepal. I (know, not)
________________________ the real name of the owner, but everybody (call, just)
________________________ him Tam. Tam (speak) ________________________ English very well and
he (try) ________________________ to teach Liam some words in Nepali. Every time Tam (say)
________________________ a new word, Liam (try) ________________________ to repeat it.
Unfortunately, Liam (seem, also) ________________________ to have difficulty learning foreign
languages. I just hope we don't get lost and have to ask for directions.
ANSWERS
Simple Present / Present Continuous
1. drives
2. work - am studying
3. is sleeping
4. is raining
5. always rains
6. are saying - is talking
7. is currently writing
8. am going
9. are normally - are
10. is
Simple Present / Present Continuous
A Trekking Journal
is - are shaking - are really killing - are bleeding - still want.
is - am trying - am learning - do not learn - do not understand - are gradually improving.
am currently travelling - is - is always walking - complaining - am doing.
is sitting - are discussing - do not know - just calls - speaks - is trying - says - tries - also seems.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Simple Present or Present Continuous?
1. Look! It __________________ (snow). We are going to have a white Christmas.
2. They __________________ (usually/travel) to the mountains, but this summer they
__________________ (travel) to the beach.
3. Bob __________________ (watch) the news on TV every morning.
4. I have to go now. It __________________ (get) dark.
5. Online courses __________________ (require) self-discipline.
6. They __________________ (have) a great time at today's party.
7. Who ____________________ (he/wait for?) I guess for his mother.

8. How often ____________________ (you/eat out)? Not very often. Once a month.
9. You __________________ (look) sad. What's the matter?
10. Would you like some chocolate? No, thanks. I __________________ (hate) chocolate.
11. Don't go. Bob still __________________ (need) to talk to you.
12. Who __________________ (do) the dishes every day in your house? My sister.
13. Why __________________ (you/believe/neg) him? He __________________ (tell) you the truth.
14. Becky _______________ (live) with some friends until she ____________ (find) her own apartment.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1.
2.
3.
4.

is snowing
are travelling
watches
is getting

5.
6.
7.
8.

require
are having
is he waiting for?
do you eat out?

9. look
10. hate
11. needs
12. does

13. dont you believe

is telling
14. is living
finds

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Put the following sentences in the correct tense, Present Simple or Present Continuous.
Make all the necessary changes.
1. Where you (go)? It's only six o'clock!

_________________________________________________

2. Mary never (help) her mother.

_________________________________________________

3. Excuse me, but you (stand) on my foot.

_________________________________________________

4. You always (do) your homework at night? ________________________________________________

5. We (go) to Lake Balaton every summer.

_________________________________________________

6. Tom not (live) in London.

_________________________________________________

7. Listen, Joe! Mary (want) to talk to you.

_________________________________________________

8. I can't go now. I (cook) your dinner.

_________________________________________________

9. The River Danube (flow) into the Black Sea. ______________________________________________

10. You (read) books in your free time?

_________________________________________________

11. I can't hear you. I (have) a shower.

_________________________________________________

12. We not (visit) our friends very often.

_________________________________________________

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1. Where are you going? It's only six o'clock!

7. Listen, Joe! Mary wants to talk to you.
2. Mary never helps her mother.
8. I can't go now. I'm cooking your dinner.
3. Excuse me, but you're standing on my foot.
9. The River Danube flows into the Black Sea.
4. Do you always do your homework at night?
10. Do you read books in your free time?
5. We go to Lake Balaton every summer.
11. I can't hear you. I'm having a shower.
6. Tom doesn't live in London.
12. We don't visit our friends very often.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PRESENT SIMPLE OR PRESENT CONTINUOUS?
1. _______________________________________ your homework at night? (you / always / do)
2. _______________________________________ her teeth at the moment. (she / clean)
3. Tom _______________________________________ in London. (not / live)

4. _______________________________________ books in your free time? (you / read)

5. When _______________________________________ (Mary / usually / get up)?
6. I can't go now. _______________________________________ your dinner. (I / cook)
7. _______________________________________ to Lake Balaton every summer. (we / go)
8. _______________________________________ your homework in the afternoon? (you / do)
9. We _______________________________________ our friends very often. (not / visit)
10. Mary _______________________________________ her mother. (never / help)
11. Excuse me, but _______________________________________ on my foot. (you / stand)
12. Where _______________________________________? It's only six o'clock! (you / go)
1.
2.
3.
4.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Do you always do

5.
does Mary usually get up
9. don't visit
She's cleaning
6.
I'm cooking
10. never helps
doesn't live
7.
We go
11. you are standing
Do you read
8.
Do you do
12. are you going
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SIMPLE PRESENT OR PRESENT CONTINUOUS?

1. Look! It __________________________________ (snow). We are going to have a white Christmas.
2. They _________________________________ (usually/travel) to the mountains, but this summer they
________________________________________________________________ (travel) to the beach.
3. Bob _____________________________________________ (watch) the news on TV every morning.
4. I have to go now. It ________________________________________________________ (get) dark.
5. Online courses _________________________________________________ (require) self-discipline.
6. They _______________________________________________ (have) a great time at today's party.
7. Who ______________________________________________ (he/wait for?) I guess for his mother.
8. How often ___________________________________ (you/eat out)? Not very often. Once a month.
9. You ____________________________________________________ (look) sad. What's the matter?
10. Would you like some chocolate? No, thanks. I _____________________________ (hate) chocolate.
11. Don't go. Bob still ________________________________________________ (need) to talk to you.
12. Who ___________________________________ (do) the dishes every day in your house? My sister.
13. Why ________________________________________________________ (you/believe/neg) him?
He _____________________________________________________________ (tell) you the truth.
14. Becky __________________________________________________ (live) with some friends until
she ________________________________________________________ (find) her own apartment.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Put the following sentences in the correct tense, Present Simple or Present Continuous.
Make all the necessary changes.

1. Where you (go)? It's only six o'clock!

_________________________________________________

2. Mary never (help) her mother.

_________________________________________________

3. Excuse me, but you (stand) on my foot.

_________________________________________________

4. You always (do) your homework at night? ________________________________________________

5. We (go) to Lake Balaton every summer.

_________________________________________________

6. Tom not (live) in London.

_________________________________________________

7. Listen, Joe! Mary (want) to talk to you.

_________________________________________________

8. I can't go now. I (cook) your dinner.

_________________________________________________

9. The River Danube (flow) into the Black Sea. ______________________________________________

10. You (read) books in your free time?

_________________________________________________

11. I can't hear you. I (have) a shower.

_________________________________________________

12. We not (visit) our friends very often.

_________________________________________________

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PRESENT SIMPLE OR PRESENT CONTINUOUS?

1. _______________________________________ your homework at night? (you / always / do)

2. _______________________________________ her teeth at the moment. (she / clean)
3. Tom _______________________________________ in London. (not / live)
4. _______________________________________ books in your free time? (you / read)
5. When _______________________________________ (Mary / usually / get up)?
6. I can't go now. _______________________________________ your dinner. (I / cook)
7. _______________________________________ to Lake Balaton every summer. (we / go)
8. _______________________________________ your homework in the afternoon? (you / do)
9. We _______________________________________ our friends very often. (not / visit)
10. Mary _______________________________________ her mother. (never / help)
11. Excuse me, but _______________________________________ on my foot. (you / stand)
12. Where _______________________________________? It's only six o'clock! (you / go)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Complete the sentences with the verbs in brackets in the Present Simple or the Present
Continuous.
1- How often __________ you __________ (buy) new clothes?
2- __________ it __________ (rain) now?
3- How much money __________ Jo usually __________ (spend) a week?

4- What time __________ your mum __________ (get up)?

5- We __________ (not do) exams at the moment?
6- Sam Clarke __________ (work) in a factory. Hes an engineer.
7- Its very hot. Why __________ you __________ (wear) a sweater?
8- We __________ (not go) to school on Saturdays.
9- I __________ (save) my pocket money at the moment.
10- Annie __________ ( not like) swimming very much.
11- The players __________ (train) hard this month.

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in the Present Simple or the
Present Continuous.
Ann:

Hi, Tom. Are you doing your homework?

Tom: No. I never (1) __________________ (do) homework on Saturday evening. I (2)
__________________ (choose) some holiday photos to email to my cousin, Tracy. She (3)
__________________ (go) to a boarding school in Wales.
Ann:

(4) __________________ (she/like) boarding school?

Tom: Yes, the best thing is the students (5) __________________ (not/wear) a uniform! And
they (6) __________________ (decide) what subjects to do. This term, she (7)
__________________ (not/study) history and art but she (8) __________________ (learn)
photography, judo and karate.
Ann: (9) __________________ (you/send) her some photos from your camping holiday?
Tom: These are from our holiday at Christmas in Australia. She (10) __________________ (do)
a project on Animals in Australia.
Read the text. Circle the correct option A/B
They dont mind (1) __________________ . They can feel embarrassed at times, but they do it
anyway. Children are like this. They love (2) __________________ and (3)

__________________ in public. There might be some who prefer (4) __________________ to

(5) __________________ on the stage, but altogether they love it! I know you (6)
__________________ stand (7) __________________ in public. Me neither. (8)
__________________ sit and enjoy the show! Well, dear, go and take care (9)
__________________ your kids. Ill (10) __________________ some time on the organization
of the show!
(1)

A acting

B act

(2)

A dance

B dancing

(3)

A sing

B singing

(4)

A speaking

B speak

(5)

A dancing or singing

B dance or sing

(6)

A dont

B cant

(7)

A be

B being

(8)

A Id

B I rather

(9)

A for

B of

(10)

A spend

B waste

Choose the correct forms of the verbs.

1 Every summer, people travel/ are travelling to London for the festival.
2 Do you usually go/Are you usually going to the festival?
3 Listen! They play/Theyre playing the drums!
4 Can you see my sister? She dances/Shes dancing in the street.
5 I dont often dance/am not often dancing but this is fun!
6 They always play/are always playing very loud music.
7 Look at that woman! She wears/Shes wearing amazing clothes!
Complete the description with the verbs (ah).
are playing walk
go
is playing
dance loves
play
s having
These men 1 _______________ to the festival every year. They 2 _______________ round
the streets and 3 _______________ their music. They often 4 _______________ , too.
Everybody 5 _______________ them. They 6 _______________ their instruments now.
One man 7 _______________ a very big drum. He 8 _______________ a great time.
Complete the text with the correct forms of the verbs in brackets.
Sarah _______________ (teach) in a big London school. Many of her students ____________
(speak) English at school and a different language at home. She often _______________ (help)
them with their English, but they also _______________ (learn) from their friends.
Today is Monday. Its 10 oclock and Sarah _______________ (teach) science. Two of the
students are from other countries and they _______________ (not/speak) English very well.

At the moment, a special teacher _______________ (help) them. She _______________

(explain) some new words to them.
Complete the questions.
1 Listen! What _______________________________________ (they/sing)?
2 _______________________________________ (you/know) the answer?
3 What language _______________________________________ (they/usually/speak)?
4 Whats funny? Why _______________________________________? (you/laugh)
5 What _______________________________________ (you/look for)? Can I help?
Make questions for the answers. Use the correct form of the verbs in the box.
sit
speak
go
watch
do
live
1 Q: Why has your brother got his guitar? Where _______________ he _______________?
A: Band practice.
2 Q: _______________ they _______________ in Birmingham?
A: No, theyre Londoners.
3 Q: Why _______________ you _______________ on the sofa?
A: Because Im tired.
4 Q: What _______________ you _______________?
A: The Simpsons. Come and watch it with me!
5 Q: How many languages _______________he _______________?
A: Two. English and German.
6 Q: What _______________she _______________?
A: Her homework, I think.

QUIZ: PRESENT SIMPLE OR PROGRESSIVE

1 - I ____ a great time on this holiday.

have
am having
Either could be used here.
2 - She's Italian- she ____ from Pisa.
comes
is coming
Either could be used here.
3 - '_____ your meal?' 'Yes, it's very good.'
Are you enjoying
Do you enjoy
Either could be used here.
4 - Many scientists believe global warming __.

Choose the correct verb form.

really happens
is really happening
Either could be used here.

5 - This term, I ____ Latin.

study
am studying
6 - ____ to see us next month?
Do you come
Are you coming
Either could be used here.
7 - Let me know when you ____ this letter.
receive
are receiving
Either could be used here.

8 - They ____ to do it now.

want
are wanting
Either could be used here.
9 - I _____ it.
don't understand
am not understanding
Either could be used here.
10 - Water ____ at a hundred degrees.
boils
is boiling
Either could be used here.
11 - Smoking _____ cancer.
causes
is causing
Either could be used here.
12 - I ____ a lot of progress at the moment.

make
am making
Either could be used here.
13 - It _____ me a lot at the moment.
worries
is worrying
Either could be used here.
14 - Don't pay attention- he ____ stupid.
is just
is just being
Either could be used here.
15 - I ____ up at seven o'clock on weekdays.
get
am getting
Either could be used here.
16 - He _____ silly questions.
always asks
is always asking
Either could be used here.

ANSWER SHEET - PRESENT SIMPLE OR PROGRESSIVE

1 - I ____ a great time on this holiday.

have
am having
Either could be used here.

4 - Many scientists believe global warming

________.
really happens
is really happening
Either could be used here.

2 - She's Italian- she ____ from Pisa.

comes
is coming
Either could be used here.

5 - This term, I ____ Latin.

study
am studying

3 - '_____ your meal?' 'Yes, it's very good.'

Are you enjoying
Do you enjoy
Either could be used here.

6 - ____ to see us next month?

Do you come
Are you coming
Either could be used here.
7 - Let me know when you ____ this letter.

receive
are receiving
Either could be used here.

make
am making
Either could be used here.

8 - They ____ to do it now.

want
are wanting
Either could be used here.

13 - It _____ me a lot at the moment.

worries
is worrying
Either could be used here.

9 - I _____ it.
don't understand
am not understanding
Either could be used here.

14 - Don't pay attention- he ____ stupid.

is just
is just being
Either could be used here.

10 - Water ____ at a hundred degrees.

boils

15 - I ____ up at seven o'clock on weekdays.

get

is boiling
Either could be used here.
11 - Smoking _____ cancer.
causes
is causing
Either could be used here.

am getting
Either could be used here.
16 - He _____ silly questions.
always asks
is always asking
Either could be used here.

12 - I ____ a lot of progress at the moment.

QUIZ: PRESENT SIMPLE & PROGRESSIVE- 2

1 - He's working for his Father

The person's job is probably temporary
The person's job is permanent
2 - Take the third road on the left
The speaker is talking in general terms
The speaker is giving instructions to get
somewhere
3 - I don't like tea with sugar
The speaker is talking about now
The speaker is talking in general terms
4 - Manchester United are winning two-zero
This refers to an unfinished game
This is their usual result
5 - I don't drive

Choose the correct answer.

The speaker is in a car at the moment

The speaker either does not know how to
drive or chooses not to drive
6 - She's losing weight
She often goes on a diet
She's on a diet at the moment
7 - Do you buy a lot of CDs?
The speaker wants to know if the person is in
the habit of buying a lot of CDs
The speaker is probably in a record shop and
wants to know how many CDs the other
person has got in their bag
8 - I'm leaving for Amsterdam on the last flight
The speaker has not planned to travel
The speaker has planned to travel

9 - Have you got any free time when we could

talk?
The speaker needs to speak to the other
person now
The speaker has to speak to the other person
on a number of occasions
10 - I take milk in coffee
The speaker only wants milk in a cup of
coffee now
The speaker usually or always takes milk in
coffee
11 - I like the film
The speaker can only be talking in general
terms about liking film
The speaker could be talking in general terms
or about a film she is watching now
12 - I have breakfast at a quarter past seven
This sentence describes an action
This sentence describes possession
13 - She's having a child
She is either pregnant or giving birth at the
moment
The child has been born
14 - John's waiting for you in reception
The speaker knows that John often waits

there
The speaker knows where John is now
15 - She's got two daughters
This sentence describes the action of giving
birth to two daughters
This sentence describes her possessing two
daughters
16 - She's always blowing her nose
The speaker is expressing dislike of her
behaviour
The speaker doesn't object to her behaviour
17 - I don't understand
The person is talking in general terms and not
about now
The person could be talking about now or in
general terms
18 - My neighbours are always playing their
music too loud
The speaker is talking about the music they
are playing now
The speaker is talking about their usual music
volume
19 - She lives in a small village
She is not going to move home in the near
future
Her home is probably only for a short time

ANSWER SHEET - PRESENT SIMPLE & PROGRESSIVE- 2

1 - He's working for his Father

The person's job is probably temporary
The person's job is permanent
2 - Take the third road on the left
The speaker is talking in general terms
The speaker is giving instructions to get
somewhere
3 - I don't like tea with sugar
The speaker is talking about now
The speaker is talking in general terms
4 - Manchester United are winning two-zero
This refers to an unfinished game
This is their usual result

5 - I don't drive
The speaker is in a car at the moment
The speaker either does not know how to drive
or chooses not to drive
6 - She's losing weight
She often goes on a diet
She's on a diet at the moment
7 - Do you buy a lot of CDs?
The speaker wants to know if the person is in
the habit of buying a lot of CDs
The speaker is probably in a record shop and
wants to know how many CDs the other person
has got in their bag
8 - I'm leaving for Amsterdam on the last flight

The speaker has not planned to travel

The speaker has planned to travel
9 - Have you got any free time when we could
talk?
The speaker needs to speak to the other person
now
The speaker has to speak to the other person on
a number of occasions
10 - I take milk in coffee
The speaker only wants milk in a cup of coffee
now
The speaker usually or always takes milk in
coffee
11 - I like the film
The speaker can only be talking in general
terms about liking film
The speaker could be talking in general terms or
about a film she is watching now
12 - I have breakfast at a quarter past seven
This sentence describes an action
This sentence describes possession
13 - She's having a child
She is either pregnant or giving birth at the
moment
The child has been born
14 - John's waiting for you in reception

The speaker knows that John often waits there

The speaker knows where John is now
15 - She's got two daughters
This sentence describes the action of giving
birth to two daughters
This sentence describes her possessing two
daughters
16 - She's always blowing her nose
The speaker is expressing dislike of her
behaviour
The speaker doesn't object to her behaviour
17 - I don't understand
The person is talking in general terms and not
about now
The person could be talking about now or in
general terms
18 - My neighbours are always playing their
music too loud
The speaker is talking about the music they are
playing now
The speaker is talking about their usual music
volume
19 - She lives in a small village
She is not going to move home in the near
future
Her home is probably only for a short time

PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS

Use the prompts to write sentences in the present simple or the present continuous.
e.g. I (write) to my grandparents once a month. / Why (you / wear) sunglasses when its raining?
I write to my grandparents once a month. / Why are you wearing sunglasses when its raining?
1 I (eat) my supper at the moment. Can you ring later?
________________________________________________________________________________
2 When (your mother / get up) in the mornings?
________________________________________________________________________________
3 (your parents / leave) for Paris this weekend?
________________________________________________________________________________
4 Our teachers (not / usually / give) us homework on Thursday afternoons.
________________________________________________________________________________

5 (you / wear) my jacket? Please take it off now!

________________________________________________________________________________
6 (you / ever / leave) your bag on the bus?
________________________________________________________________________________
7 Who (you / take) to Sorayas New Years Eve party?
________________________________________________________________________________
8 My sister and I (usually / sit) at the front of the bus.
________________________________________________________________________________
9 I (not / often / play) tennis in the winter.
________________________________________________________________________________
10 Take Marios bike. He (not / use) it today.
________________________________________________________________________________
11 (you / ever / have) barbecues on the beach?
________________________________________________________________________________
12 Tony (help) me with my art project tomorrow afternoon.
________________________________________________________________________________
(From Progress in English Grammar 3)

Present Simple - Present Continuous questions

Match the questions and the answers.

Where does your sister work?

I'm going home.

Are they writing a letter?

She works at home.

Are you watching TV?

No, he works in the afternoon.

What are you doing?

No, they are sleeping.

Does he work at night?

She's going home.

Where is Jane going?

At half past four.

When does Joe go home?

No, I get up at nine.

Do you get up at ten?

No, I'm having dinner.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Present Simple or Present Continuous?

1. I can't go now. _________________________ your dinner. (I / cook)
2. When _________________________ (Mary / usually / get up)?
3. We _________________________ our friends very often. (not / visit)
4. _________________________ her teeth at the moment. (she / clean)
5. _________________________ your homework in the afternoon? (you / do)
6. _________________________ to Lake Balaton every summer. (we / go)
7. Tom _________________________ in London. (not / live)
8. Where _________________________? It's only six o'clock! (you / go)
9. _________________________ books in your free time? (you / read)
10. Excuse me, but _________________________ on my foot. (you / stand)
11. Mary _________________________ her mother. (never / help)
12. _________________________ your homework at night? (you / always / do)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------