Tasks and exercises on the difference between Present Simple and Present Continuous

Present Simple and Present Continuous are two of the most commonly used tenses in English. Both refer to the present, but they mean completely different things. What is the difference?
Present Simple is used for routines, facts, and schedules
I go to school every day. She works in a bank.
Present Continuous is used for things that are happening right now or temporarily:
I’m going to school now. She’s working on a new project this week.
On this page, you will find tasks and exercises on the difference between the Present Simple and Present Continuous. They will help you:

• understand the logic of each tense;
• learn to correctly identify the situation;
• choose the right form without hesitation.

Ready? Let’s get started!

Table of contents

• Exercise 1: Insert the correct form of the verb (Present Simple or Present Continuous)
• Exercise 2: Choose the correct verb form
• Exercise 3: Correct the error in tense
• Exercise 4: Make sentences in the present simple and present continuous tenses.

Exercise 1: Insert the correct form of the verb (Present Simple or Present Continuous)

Insert the verb in brackets in the correct form: Present Simple or Present Continuous. Pay attention to the time markers (every day, now, at the moment, always, etc.).
Example: She ___ (watch) TV now. → She is watching TV now.

1. He usually ___ (get up) at 7 a.m.
2. Look! It ___ (snow) outside!
3. I ___ (not understand) this exercise.
4. They ___ (have) lunch at the moment.
5. My father ___ (work) as a doctor.
6. Be quiet! The baby ___ (sleep).
7. We often ___ (go) to the cinema on weekends.
8. I ___ (read) a very interesting book now.
9. She ___ (not like) horror movies.
10. Where ___ you ___ (go) right now?
11. The sun ___ (rise) in the east.
12. Listen! Somebody ___ (play) the piano.
13. My friend ___ (live) in London.
14. Why ___ she ___ (cry) now?
15. I ___ (not watch) TV every day.

✅ You will find the answers to all the exercises at the end of the page.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct verb form

In each sentence, choose which verb form is correct: Present Simple or Present Continuous.
Example: She (goes / is going) to the gym every Friday. → goes

Exercise 3: Correct the error in tense

Read each sentence carefully. Identify which tense is used incorrectly and correct it to the correct tense: Present Simple or Present Continuous.
Example: He is going to school every day. → He goes to school every day.

1. She is liking chocolate very much.
2. I read a book right now.
3. We are go to the gym every Friday.
4. Look! The cat sleeps under the table.
5. My brother thinks about moving to another city these days.
6. What are you usually doing on Sundays?
7. They play football now.
8. I’m not understand the question.
9. Why do you cry now?
10. He goes to the store now.
11. The train is leaving at 9 p.m. every day.
12. She wears a red dress today.
13. I am usually getting up at 8 a.m.
14. Are you liking this movie?
15. The teacher explains the topic right now.

✅ You will find the answers to all the exercises at the end of the page.

Exercise 4: Make sentences in the present simple and present continuous tenses.

For each situation, write:
A sentence in the present simple tense — about a regular action.
A sentence in the present continuous tense — about an action happening right now.
Example: Situation: She always reads before bed. Right now, she is reading a novel.
→ She always reads before bed.
→ She is reading a novel right now.

1. He works in an office. Now he works from home.
2. We often play board games. Now we are playing chess.
3. I don’t watch TV on weekdays. But now I’m watching a series.
4. She takes the bus to work. Today she is taking a taxi.
5. They go to the gym on weekends. Now they are training there.
6. Mom cooks lunch every day. Right now she is cooking dinner.
7. We live in Germany. Right now we are staying with Grandma.
8. He doesn’t usually wear glasses. But right now he is wearing them.
9. You often listen to music. Right now you are listening to a podcast.
10. The children play in the yard every day. Right now they are playing at home.
11. She often writes articles. Now she is writing a report.
12. I don’t eat lunch at a cafe. But today I am eating lunch there.
13. He is learning English. Now he is taking an online lesson.
14. We always eat breakfast at home. Today we are eating breakfast at a cafe.
15. I walk to school. Now I am taking the bus.

✅ You will find the answers to all the exercises at the end of the page.

Answers

Exercise 1

1. gets up
2. is snowing
3. don’t understand
4. are having
5. works
6. is sleeping
7. go
8. am reading
9. doesn’t like
10. are you going
11. rises
12. is playing
13. lives
14. is she crying
15. don’t watch

Exercise 2

1. is running
2. don’t like
3. drinks
4. are talking
5. closes
6. are having
7. is reading
8. arrive
9. are you crying
10. drives
11. is thinking
12. go
13. is taking
14. does the train leave
15. aren’t watching

Exercise 3

1. She likes chocolate very much.
2. I am reading a book right now.
3. We go to the gym every Friday.
4. Look! The cat is sleeping under the table.
5. My brother is thinking about moving to another city these days.
6. What do you usually do on Sundays?
7. They are playing football now.
8. I don’t understand the question.
9. Why are you crying now?
10. He is going to the store now.
11. The train leaves at 9 p.m. every day.
12. She is wearing a red dress today.
13. I usually get up at 8 a.m.
14. Do you like this movie?
15. The teacher is explaining the topic right now.

Exercise 4

1. He works in an office. — He is working from home now.
2. We often play board games. — We are playing chess now.
3. I don’t watch TV on weekdays. — But I’m watching a series now.
4. She goes to work by bus. — Today she is going by taxi.
5. They go to the gym on weekends. — Now they are training there.
6. Mom cooks lunch every day. — Now she is cooking dinner.
7. We live in Germany. — Right now we’re living at grandma’s.
8. He doesn’t usually wear glasses. — But he’s wearing them now.
9. You often listen to music. — Now you’re listening to a podcast.
10. The kids play outside every day. — Now they’re playing at home.
11. She often writes articles. — Now she’s writing a report.
12. I don’t have lunch at cafés. — But I’m having lunch there today.
13. He studies English. — He is taking an online lesson now.
14. We always have breakfast at home. — Today we’re having it at a cafe.
15. I walk to school. — Now I’m going by bus.