Exercise - Simple Present Present Progressive 6
Level A1
Complete each sentence with the simple present or present progressive form of the verbs in brackets. Do not use short forms!
Grammar rules
We use the simple present tense for
• General facts
Asian elephants live in Southeast Asia.
• Permanent situations
My father works for a software company.
• Things that happen never, sometimes, always …
We visit the amusement park every summer.
They often go to the cinema.
We use the present progressive tense (present continuous tense) for
• Actions taking place at the time of speaking
He is driving to London at the moment.
Look! The dog is running across the street.
• Actions taking place around the time of speaking
My father is working in Belgium this month.
Note:
Verbs that describe a state (rather than an action) are not usually used in the present progressive tense, even when we use them to mean right now.
I like her new book. (NOT: I am liking …)
She believes that they are wrong. (NOT: She is believing …)
What does this sentence mean?
The bike belongs to Emma´s brother.
They want to go to the beach.
Answer explanations
Where is Nicholas? – He is painting the wall in the garden.
Action at the time of speaking → Present progressive
I have a shower every evening.
Things that happen regularly (every evening) → Simple present
Her best friend speaks English, Italian and Spanish.
General facts → Simple present
Don´t forget to add -s for the he/she/it form.
Eliza is in the living room. She is waiting for you.
Action at the time of speaking → Present progressive
They usually watch TV in the evening, but tonight they are playing basketball in front of the garage.
Action at or around the time of speaking (tonight) → Present progressive
He writes a letter to his Australian cousin every weekend.
Things that happen regularly (every weekend) → Simple present
Don´t forget to add -s for the he/she/it form.
We can´t go outside at the moment because it is snowing.
Action at or around the time of speaking (at the moment) → Present progressive
Koalas live in the woodlands and forests of Australia.
General facts → Simple present
This house belongs to my grandparents.
General facts → Simple present
The state verb belong is not usually used in a progressive tense.
Don´t forget to add -s for the he/she/it form.
Our teacher usually wears long skirts, but today she is wearing a pair of jeans.
Action at or around the time of speaking (today) → Present progressive