top of page

Mastering the Present Simple and Present Continuous in English 🎯

James Batchelor

Do you sometimes hesitate between "I eat" and "I am eating"? 🤔 You're not alone!The Present Simple and Present Continuous are two important English tenses that express different types of actions. Let’s explore their structures, meanings, and how they compare to French! This guide includes explanations, translations, and exercises to help you master these tenses.


Man in a suit walks through puddle in rainy city; holding briefcase; buses in background. Gray sky, somber mood, splashing water.

1️⃣ Present Simple: The Basics 📌

The Present Simple is used for:

Habits and routines → "I wake up at 7 AM." (Je me réveille à 7h.)

General truths → "The sun rises in the east." (Le soleil se lève à l'est.)

Permanent situations → "She lives in London." (Elle habite à Londres.)


Structure 🛠️

Form

Example (English)

Example (French)

Affirmative

I/You/We/They work. He/She/It works.

Je/Tu/Nous/Ils travaillent. Il/Elle travaille.

Negative

I/You/We/They do not (don’t) work. He/She/It does not (doesn’t) work.

Je/Tu/Nous/Ils ne travaillent pas. Il/Elle ne travaille pas.

Interrogative

Do I/you/we/they work? Does he/she/it work?

Est-ce que je/tu/nous/ils travaille(nt) ?  Est-ce qu’il/elle travaille ?

📢 Important Notes!

  • He/She/It takes an -s in the affirmative: She works. (Elle travaille.)

  • In negative and interrogative forms, we use do/does:

    She doesn’t works. → ✅ She doesn’t work.

    Does she works? → ✅ Does she work?


📝 Quick Review – Present Simple

  1. What is the rule for adding "-s" to verbs in the Present Simple?

  2. Which auxiliary verb do we use for negatives and questions in the Present Simple?

  3. Translate: "He does not like football."


The correct answers for all of the activities are at the end of the article.


2️⃣ Present Continuous: The Basics 🎬

The Present Continuous is used for:

Actions happening now → "I am studying English." (Je suis en train d'étudier l'anglais.)

Temporary actions → "She is staying with a friend this week." (Elle habite temporairement chez une amie cette semaine.)

Future plans → "We are meeting tomorrow." (Nous nous retrouvons demain.)


Structure 🛠️

Form

Example (English)

Example (French)

Affirmative

I am working. You/We/They are working. He/She/It is working.

Je travaille. Tu/Nous/Ils travaillent. Il/Elle travaille.

Negative

I am not working. You/We/They are not (aren’t) working. He/She/It is not (isn’t) working.

Je ne travaille pas. Tu/Nous/Ils ne travaillent pas. Il/Elle ne travaille pas.

Interrogative

Am I working? Are you/we/they working? Is he/she/it working?

Suis-je en train de travailler ? Es-tu en train de travailler ? Est-il/elle en train de travailler ?

📢 Important Notes!

  • The Present Continuous is formed with be + verb + -ing: He is playing football. (Il est en train de jouer au football.)

  • Don’t forget the auxiliary ‘be’ in all forms!

    She working now. → ✅ She is working now.

    You not listening. → ✅ You are not listening.


📝 Quick Review – Present Continuous

  1. What is the auxiliary verb used in the Present Continuous?

  2. How do you form a negative sentence in the Present Continuous?

  3. Translate: "We are not watching TV."

3️⃣ English vs. French: Key Differences 🇬🇧🇫🇷

English has two separate tenses to express habits and actions in progress. French doesn’t! 😲In French, the Present Simple is used for both!

English

French Translation

I eat a cake. (habit)

Je mange un gâteau.

I am eating a cake. (now)

Je mange un gâteau. (same sentence!)

I am eating a cake. (with emphasis)

Je suis en train de manger un gâteau.

👉 So be careful! In English, if you want to say an action is happening now, you must use the Present Continuous. ❌ I eat a cake now. → ✅ I am eating a cake now.


📝 Quick Review – English vs. French

  1. How does French express an action in progress?

  2. What is a common mistake French speakers make when using the Present Continuous?

  3. Translate: "They are drinking coffee."


4️⃣ Common Mistakes to Avoid 🚨

  1. She work every day. → ✅ She works every day. (Elle travaille tous les jours.)

  2. We are study now. → ✅ We are studying now. (Nous sommes en train d’étudier maintenant.)

  3. Do she play football? → ✅ Does she play football? (Est-ce qu’elle joue au football ?)

  4. I eating lunch now. → ✅ I am eating lunch now. (Je mange mon déjeuner maintenant.)


📝 Quick Review – Common Mistakes

  1. What is the correct verb form for "he/she/it" in the Present Simple?

  2. What is missing in the incorrect sentence "I eating lunch now"?

  3. Translate: "Does he like pizza?"


🎯 Final Thoughts

Now you understand the difference between the Present Simple and Present Continuous! 🎉💡 Key Takeaways:


✔ Use Present Simple for habits, facts, and permanent situations.

✔ Use Present Continuous for actions happening now or temporary situations.

✔ In French, the Present Simple is often used for both!


Review Activities ✏️

💡 Let’s check your understanding! Answer these exercises before checking the corrections at the end. The correct answers for all of the activities are at the end of the article.


Present Simple: Affirmative & Negative

Rewrite the sentences in the negative.

  1. He plays the piano. → __________

  2. They go to school every day. → __________

  3. She likes chocolate. → __________


Present Continuous: Affirmative & Negative

Rewrite the sentences in the negative.

  1. I am reading a book. → __________

  2. They are watching TV. → __________

  3. She is cooking dinner. → __________


Present Simple: Interrogative

Make questions using the Present Simple.

  1. She speaks French. → ❓ __________

  2. They live in London. → ❓ __________

  3. You work on Mondays. → ❓ __________


Present Continuous: Interrogative

Make questions using the Present Continuous.

  1. He is playing football. → ❓ __________

  2. They are studying English. → ❓ __________

  3. She is writing an email. → ❓ __________


Choose the Correct Tense

Fill in the blanks with the correct tense (Present Simple or Present Continuous).

  1. She ______ (play) tennis every weekend.

  2. Look! He ______ (run) very fast!

  3. We ______ (have) lunch right now.

  4. The train ______ (leave) at 6 PM every day.

  5. My brother ______ (not like) vegetables.


Translate These Sentences into French

  1. I am drinking coffee.

  2. They don’t work on Sundays.

  3. Are you listening to me?

  4. He plays the guitar every evening.

  5. We are watching a movie now.




Additional Review Section 📚

More practice to reinforce your learning! Answer the following questions. The correct answers for all of the activities are at the end of the article.


Present Simple: Affirmative & Negative

Rewrite these sentences in the negative.

  1. She walks to school.

  2. They like ice cream.

  3. He plays basketball.

  4. I wake up at 7 AM.

  5. We watch TV in the evening.

  6. The shop opens at 8 AM.

  7. My cat sleeps all day.

  8. You speak English well.

  9. The teacher gives us homework.

  10. He drives to work.


Present Continuous: Affirmative & Negative

Rewrite these sentences in the negative.

  1. I am listening to music.

  2. She is eating lunch.

  3. They are talking on the phone.

  4. He is running in the park.

  5. We are learning English.

  6. The baby is sleeping.

  7. She is wearing a red dress.

  8. You are writing an email.

  9. The students are reading a book.

  10. He is cooking dinner.


Present Simple: Interrogative

Make questions using the Present Simple.

  1. She likes coffee.

  2. They live in Spain.

  3. He studies English.

  4. You watch TV.

  5. We eat dinner at 8 PM.

  6. The sun sets in the west.

  7. He speaks French.

  8. She works in a bank.

  9. The train arrives at 5 PM.

  10. They go to the gym.


Present Continuous: Interrogative

Make questions using the Present Continuous.

  1. She is dancing.

  2. They are cooking.

  3. He is playing football.

  4. We are studying.

  5. You are watching TV.

  6. The baby is crying.

  7. She is waiting for a bus.

  8. They are singing.

  9. He is painting a picture.

  10. The cat is sleeping.


Choose the Correct Tense

Fill in the blanks with the correct tense (Present Simple or Present Continuous).

  1. I ______ (drink) coffee every morning.

  2. She ______ (sleep) right now.

  3. We ______ (go) to school every day.

  4. He ______ (not work) at the moment.

  5. The bus ______ (arrive) at 8 AM.

  6. They ______ (watch) a movie now.

  7. You ______ (read) a book every night.

  8. He ______ (study) for his exam this week.

  9. She ______ (not like) fish.

  10. The baby ______ (cry) because he is hungry.


Translate These Sentences into French

  1. She is speaking English.

  2. They don’t eat meat.

  3. Are you playing football?

  4. He is learning French.

  5. We are having dinner now.

  6. The train leaves at 7 AM.

  7. She doesn’t drink coffee.

  8. I am working right now.

  9. They always wake up early.

  10. Is she studying for the test?


Answer Key: Mastering the Present Simple and Present Continuous in English


Quick Review – Present Simple

  1. What is the rule for adding "-s" to verbs in the Present Simple?

    • We add -s to the verb in the third person singular (he/she/it).

    • Example: He works, she plays, it rains.

  2. Which auxiliary verb do we use for negatives and questions in the Present Simple?

    • We use do (I/you/we/they) and does (he/she/it).

    • Example: Do they like pizza? / Does she play football?

  3. Translate: "He does not like football."

    • French: Il n’aime pas le football.

Quick Review – Present Continuous

  1. What is the auxiliary verb used in the Present Continuous?

    • The auxiliary verb be (am/is/are).

    • Example: I am reading. / She is working. / They are sleeping.

  2. How do you form a negative sentence in the Present Continuous?

    • be + not + verb (-ing)

    • Example: He is not (isn’t) playing. / They are not (aren’t) studying.

  3. Translate: "We are not watching TV."

    • French: Nous ne regardons pas la télévision.

Quick Review – English vs. French

  1. How does French express an action in progress?

    • French uses the Present Simple: Je mange un gâteau. (I am eating a cake.)

    • To emphasize, we can use être en train de: Je suis en train de manger.

  2. What is a common mistake French speakers make when using the Present Continuous?

    • They use the Present Simple instead of the Present Continuous in English.

    • Incorrect: I eat a cake now. ✅ Correct: I am eating a cake now.

  3. Translate: "They are drinking coffee."

    • French: Ils boivent du café. / Ils sont en train de boire du café.

Quick Review – Common Mistakes

  1. What is the correct verb form for "he/she/it" in the Present Simple?

    • Add -s: He plays. / She works.

  2. What is missing in the incorrect sentence "I eating lunch now"?

    • The auxiliary verb "am" → Correct: I am eating lunch now.

  3. Translate: "Does he like pizza?"

    • French: Est-ce qu’il aime la pizza ?

Review Activities – Present Simple (Affirmative & Negative)

  1. He plays the piano. → ❌ He does not (doesn’t) play the piano.

  2. They go to school every day. → ❌ They do not (don’t) go to school every day.

  3. She likes chocolate. → ❌ She does not (doesn’t) like chocolate.

Review Activities – Present Continuous (Affirmative & Negative)

  1. I am reading a book. → ❌ I am not reading a book.

  2. They are watching TV. → ❌ They are not (aren’t) watching TV.

  3. She is cooking dinner. → ❌ She is not (isn’t) cooking dinner.

Review Activities – Present Simple (Interrogative)

  1. She speaks French. → ❓ Does she speak French?

  2. They live in London. → ❓ Do they live in London?

  3. You work on Mondays. → ❓ Do you work on Mondays?

Review Activities – Present Continuous (Interrogative)

  1. He is playing football. → ❓ Is he playing football?

  2. They are studying English. → ❓ Are they studying English?

  3. She is writing an email. → ❓ Is she writing an email?


Choose the Correct Tense (Present Simple or Present Continuous)

  1. She plays (play) tennis every weekend. ✅ (Present Simple – habit)

  2. Look! He is running (run) very fast! ✅ (Present Continuous – action happening now)

  3. We are having (have) lunch right now. ✅ (Present Continuous – action happening now)

  4. The train leaves (leave) at 6 PM every day. ✅ (Present Simple – scheduled event)

  5. My brother does not like (not like) vegetables. ✅ (Present Simple – general truth)

Translate These Sentences into French

  1. I am drinking coffee. → Je bois du café. / Je suis en train de boire du café.

  2. They don’t work on Sundays. → Ils ne travaillent pas le dimanche.

  3. Are you listening to me? → Est-ce que tu m’écoutes ? / Tu es en train de m’écouter ?

  4. He plays the guitar every evening. → Il joue de la guitare tous les soirs.

  5. We are watching a movie now. → Nous regardons un film maintenant. / Nous sommes en train de regarder un film.


Present Simple: Affirmative & Negative

Rewrite these sentences in the negative.

  1. She walks to school. → ❌ She does not (doesn’t) walk to school.

  2. They like ice cream. → ❌ They do not (don’t) like ice cream.

  3. He plays basketball. → ❌ He does not (doesn’t) play basketball.

  4. I wake up at 7 AM. → ❌ I do not (don’t) wake up at 7 AM.

  5. We watch TV in the evening. → ❌ We do not (don’t) watch TV in the evening.

  6. The shop opens at 8 AM. → ❌ The shop does not (doesn’t) open at 8 AM.

  7. My cat sleeps all day. → ❌ My cat does not (doesn’t) sleep all day.

  8. You speak English well. → ❌ You do not (don’t) speak English well.

  9. The teacher gives us homework. → ❌ The teacher does not (doesn’t) give us homework.

  10. He drives to work. → ❌ He does not (doesn’t) drive to work.

Present Continuous: Affirmative & Negative

Rewrite these sentences in the negative.

  1. I am listening to music. → ❌ I am not listening to music.

  2. She is eating lunch. → ❌ She is not (isn’t) eating lunch.

  3. They are talking on the phone. → ❌ They are not (aren’t) talking on the phone.

  4. He is running in the park. → ❌ He is not (isn’t) running in the park.

  5. We are learning English. → ❌ We are not (aren’t) learning English.

  6. The baby is sleeping. → ❌ The baby is not (isn’t) sleeping.

  7. She is wearing a red dress. → ❌ She is not (isn’t) wearing a red dress.

  8. You are writing an email. → ❌ You are not (aren’t) writing an email.

  9. The students are reading a book. → ❌ The students are not (aren’t) reading a book.

  10. He is cooking dinner. → ❌ He is not (isn’t) cooking dinner.

Present Simple: Interrogative

Make questions using the Present Simple.

  1. She likes coffee. → ❓ Does she like coffee?

  2. They live in Spain. → ❓ Do they live in Spain?

  3. He studies English. → ❓ Does he study English?

  4. You watch TV. → ❓ Do you watch TV?

  5. We eat dinner at 8 PM. → ❓ Do we eat dinner at 8 PM?

  6. The sun sets in the west. → ❓ Does the sun set in the west?

  7. He speaks French. → ❓ Does he speak French?

  8. She works in a bank. → ❓ Does she work in a bank?

  9. The train arrives at 5 PM. → ❓ Does the train arrive at 5 PM?

  10. They go to the gym. → ❓ Do they go to the gym?

Present Continuous: Interrogative

Make questions using the Present Continuous.

  1. She is dancing. → ❓ Is she dancing?

  2. They are cooking. → ❓ Are they cooking?

  3. He is playing football. → ❓ Is he playing football?

  4. We are studying. → ❓ Are we studying?

  5. You are watching TV. → ❓ Are you watching TV?

  6. The baby is crying. → ❓ Is the baby crying?

  7. She is waiting for a bus. → ❓ Is she waiting for a bus?

  8. They are singing. → ❓ Are they singing?

  9. He is painting a picture. → ❓ Is he painting a picture?

  10. The cat is sleeping. → ❓ Is the cat sleeping?

Choose the Correct Tense (Present Simple or Present Continuous)

Fill in the blanks with the correct tense.

  1. I drink (drink) coffee every morning. ✅ (Present Simple – habit)

  2. She is sleeping (sleep) right now. ✅ (Present Continuous – action happening now)

  3. We go (go) to school every day. ✅ (Present Simple – habit)

  4. He is not working (not work) at the moment. ✅ (Present Continuous – action happening now)

  5. The bus arrives (arrive) at 8 AM. ✅ (Present Simple – scheduled event)

  6. They are watching (watch) a movie now. ✅ (Present Continuous – action happening now)

  7. You read (read) a book every night. ✅ (Present Simple – habit)

  8. He is studying (study) for his exam this week. ✅ (Present Continuous – temporary situation)

  9. She does not like (not like) fish. ✅ (Present Simple – general truth)

  10. The baby is crying (cry) because he is hungry. ✅ (Present Continuous – action happening now)

Translate These Sentences into French

  1. She is speaking English. → Elle parle anglais. / Elle est en train de parler anglais.

  2. They don’t eat meat. → Ils ne mangent pas de viande.

  3. Are you playing football? → Est-ce que tu joues au football ? / Tu es en train de jouer au football ?

  4. He is learning French. → Il apprend le français. / Il est en train d’apprendre le français.

  5. We are having dinner now. → Nous dînons maintenant. / Nous sommes en train de dîner.

  6. The train leaves at 7 AM. → Le train part à 7h.

  7. She doesn’t drink coffee. → Elle ne boit pas de café.

  8. I am working right now. → Je travaille en ce moment. / Je suis en train de travailler.

  9. They always wake up early. → Ils se réveillent toujours tôt.

  10. Is she studying for the test? → Est-ce qu’elle étudie pour l’examen ?


Comments


bottom of page