Present Tenses

Two Ways to Talk About Now

In English, we use two present tenses to talk about our lives today.

The present simple describes habits, routines, and facts. I teach English.

The present continuous describes actions happening now or temporary situations. I am teaching a new class this month.

Both tenses are about the present. The difference is how often and how long.

Building the Present Simple

The present simple is easy to build. Use the base verb: teach, travel, work.

With he, she, it, add -s or -es. She teaches. He travels.

For negatives, use do not or does not + base verb. I do not teach on Sundays.

For questions, put do or does first. Does she teach maths?

Present Simple for Routines

Use the present simple for things you do regularly: every day, every week, or always.

Think about your working day as a teacher. I get up at 6. I travel to school by bus. I teach three classes. I go home at 5.

It is also for facts. The school opens at 8.

Words like always, usually, and every day often go with this tense.

Building the Present Continuous

The present continuous has two parts: am, is, or are + verb with -ing.

I am teaching. She is travelling. They are working.

For negatives, add not. I am not working today.

For questions, put am, is, or are first. Are you listening?

Now and For a While

Use the present continuous for actions happening right now, at this moment.

Look! The students are writing a test. The action is in progress.

The students are in the middle of writing, so we say: The students are writing a test.

Also use it for temporary situations or projects. This month, I am preparing an exam course.

Temporary means it stops soon. It is not a regular routine.

Which Tense Do I Need?

When you speak or write, ask yourself one quick question.

Is it a routine, habit, or fact? Use the present simple. I usually teach in the morning.

Is it happening now or only for a short time? Use the present continuous. Today I am teaching in the afternoon.

Common mistake: I am teaching English every day. For a regular habit, say I teach English every day.

Key Takeaways

Two tenses, two jobs. Learn the signal words to choose fast.

Present simple: always, usually, every day. I travel to school every day.

Present continuous: now, at the moment, this month. This month, I am preparing an exam course.

In class and in exam tasks, check the time words first. They often tell you the tense.

I _____ English to adults every Monday evening.

• teach
• am teaching

Answer: teach

Every Monday evening shows a regular routine. We use the present simple for routines: I teach. The present continuous (am teaching) is for actions happening now or temporary situations.

Every day, Anna _____ to school by bus. This week, she _____ by train because the bus is broken.

Answer: Every day, Anna travels to school by bus. This week, she is travelling by train because the bus is broken.

Every day shows a routine, so we use the present simple: travels. This week shows a temporary situation, so we use the present continuous: is travelling.

Which sentence describes a temporary project?

• I write lesson plans every Sunday.
• This month, I am writing a new course.
• I teach at a primary school.
• The school opens at eight o'clock.

Answer: This month, I am writing a new course.

This month, I am writing a new course describes something temporary that is in progress, so it uses the present continuous. The other sentences describe routines, facts, or permanent situations, so they use the present simple.