Present Simple and Present Continuous Use with Time expression

Present Simple Present Continuous

Expresses repeated actions, routines, habits actions Expresses happening at the moment of speaking or around
the moment of speaking

Common Time expressions used with Present Simple: Common Time expressions used with Present
→ always, often, usually, sometimes, never, every day, every week, every Continuous:
year, once a week/month/year → now, right now, at the moment, today

Where to place the time expression?

→ Rules for Forming Present Simple and Present Continuous with time expressions
Present Simple with time expressions of often, usually, Present Continuous with time expressions of now, at the
always, sometimes, never moment, today

Affirmative ● place after the [subject] but before the [verb] in The time expressions can come (1) at the start (followed by a
Form: affirmative/negative/questions form comma) or (2) at the end of the affirmative and negative
 subject + (time expression) + verb + rest of sentence sentence and (3) usually at the end of questions.

● Note that we will not add marker -e/es in the end of third Remember the Forms of the verb to be include am, are, is, are
person singular when creating negative sentences and depending on the subject.
question!

subject + (time expression) + verb + rest of sentence (time expression), + subject + verb to be + not + Verb(ing)
OR
Subject + verb to be + not + Verb(ing) + (time expression)

I/You/We/They usually play football. Now, I am playing football.

You/We/They are playing football now

She/He/It always plays football. At the moment , she/he/it is playing football.

She/He is playing football at the moment

Negative subject + do/does not (time expression) + verb + rest of (time expression) + subject + verb to be + not + Verb(ing)
Form sentence OR
Subject + verb to be + not + Verb(ing) + (time expression)
At the moment, you/we/they are not studying English.
I/You/We/They do not usually play football. I am not studying English right now

Today, she/he/it is not studying English.

She/He/It does not always play football.

Questions Do/Does + subject + (time expression) + verb + rest of Wh-Question + verb to be + subject + Verb(ing) + (time
Form sentence expression) ?
Does she/he/it always play football. What is she/he/it doing right now?

Do I/you/we/they usually play football. What are you/we/they doing right now?

● But the position of time expression “every (day/week/month/year)” can

be either at the start (followed by a comma) or at the end of affirmative
and negative sentences BUT usually at the end of questions:
[time expression], + subject + verb + rest of sentence OR
subject+ verb + object + [time expression]
Example:
Affirmative: Every day , you/we/they play football.
Negative: She/He/It does not play football every day
Question: Do I/you/we/they play football every day ?