Calle

Simple Present – Present Progressive
Exercises and tests
Form
Simple Present | Present Progressive |
infinitive
(3rd person singular: infinitive + 's')I speak
you speak
he / she / it speaks
we speak
they speak | form of 'be' and verb + ing
 I am speaking
you are speaking
he / she / it is speaking
we are speaking
they are speaking |
Exceptions |
Exceptions when adding 's' : *For can, may, might, must, do not add s.Example: he can, she may, it must * After o, ch, sh or s, add es.Example: do - he does, wash - she washes * After a consonant, the final consonant ybecomes ie. (but: not after a vowel)Example: worry - he worries
but: play - he plays | Exceptions when adding 'ing' : * Silent e is dropped. (but: does not apply for -ee)Example: come - coming
but: agree- agreeing * After a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled.Example: sit - sitting * After a vowel, the final consonant l is doubled in British English (but not in American English).Example: travel - travelling (British English)
but: traveling (American English) * Final ie becomes y.Example: lie - lying |
See also explanations on Simple Present and Present Progressive
UseIn general or right now?
Do you want to express that something happens in general or that something is happening right now?
Simple Present | Present Progressive |
in general (regularly, often, never)Colin plays football every Tuesday.present actions happening one after anotherFirst Colin plays football, then he watches TV. | right nowLook! Colin is playing football now.also for severalactions happening at the same timeColin is playing football and Anne is watching. |
Signal words |
* always * every ... * often * normally * usually * sometimes * seldom * never * first * then | * at the moment * at this moment * today * now * right now * Listen! * Look! |
Note: The following verbs are usually only used in Simple Present:
be, have, hear, know,like, love, see, smell, think, want |
Timetable / Schedule or arrangement?
Do you want to express that something is arranged for the near future? Or do you refer to a time set by a timetable or schedule?
Simple Present | Present Progressive |
action set by a timetable or scheduleThe film starts at 8 pm. | arrangement for the near futureI am going to the cinema tonight. |
Daily routine orjust for a limited period of time?
Do you want to talk about a daily routine? Or do you want to emphasis that something is only going on for a limited (rather short) period of time?
Simple Present | Present Progressive |
daily routineBob works in a restaurant. | only for a limited period of time (does not have to happen directly at the moment of speaking)Jenny is working in a restaurant thisweek. |
Certain Verbs
The following verbs are usually only used in Simple Present (not in the progressive form).
* state: be, cost, fit, mean, suit
Example: We are on holiday.
* possession: belong, have
Example: Sam has a cat.
* senses: feel, hear, see, smell, taste, touch
Example: He feels the cold.
* feelings: hate, hope, like, love, prefer, regret, want, wish
Example:Jane loves pizza.
* brain work: believe, know, think, understand
Example: I believe you.
* Introductory clauses for direct speech: answer, ask, reply, say
Example: “I am watching TV,“ he says.
Exercise on Simple Present - Present Progressive
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Principio del formulario
Exercise 1
Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple present or presentprogressive).
1. Look! He (leave)  the house.
2. Quiet please! I (write)  a test.
3. She usually (walk)  to school.
4. But look! Today she (go)  by bike.
5. Every Sunday we (go)  to see my grandparents.
6. He often (go)  to the cinema.
7. We (play)  Monopoly at the moment.
8. The child seldom (cry) .
9. I (not / do)  anything at the moment.
10. (watch /...