A2 English Lesson 1: Present Simple vs Present Continuous

Language Focus

We use Present Simple for things we do every day, or things that are always true.

We use Present Continuous for things happening now, at this moment.

Tense	Example
Present Simple: a habit or routine	I play football every Saturday.
Present Simple: something always true	Fish live in water.
Present Continuous: happening now	I am playing football now.
Present Continuous form: am/is/are + verb-ing	She is playing. They are playing.
Time words for Present Simple	every day, usually, always, on Mondays
Time words for Present Continuous	now, right now, at the moment, Look!

Tip: look for a time word in the sentence. It tells you which tense to use.

Context: two friends on the phone

Kate: Hi Sam! What are you doing right now?

Sam: I'm cooking dinner. I always cook on Tuesdays.

Kate: That's nice. I'm cleaning my room at the moment.

Sam: Do you usually clean on Wednesdays?

Kate: No, I usually clean on Sundays. But today is different!

Sam: What about your brother?

Kate: He's watching TV now. He usually studies in the evening.

Now go to Exercise 1 and answer True or False.

Context: Kate and Sam (from the listening)

Listen again if you need to, then choose True or False.

Context: everyday moments

Look at the time word. Choose the correct verb form.

Context: time words

Match each time word to the sentence that uses it correctly.

Context: Ben's weekend

Complete the paragraph with the correct form of the verb in brackets.

Context: everyday moments

Look at the time word. Choose the sentence with the correct tense.

Context: routines and moments

Click the words in the correct order to build each sentence.

Context: common tense mistakes

Is the sentence right or wrong? Choose your answer from the list.

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Total points across all exercises