Present Simple and Present Continuous

We use the present simple tense when we want to talk about fixed habits or routines things that dont
change.
We use the present continuous to talk about actions which are happening at the present moment, but will
soon finish.
(present simple) I play tennis tells us that playing tennis is something the speaker always does. It is part
of a routine or habit. We can call this a permanent situation.
(present continuous/ progressive) I am playing tennis tells us that the speaker is playing tennis right
now. Soon the game will be over. We call this a temporary situation.

Exercise 1: Complete the sentences with the correct present simple form of the verbs in brackets.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

She always ________ before she goes to bed. (read)

Her sister often _______ shopping with us. (come)
You sometimes ______ to the gym, dont you? (go)
It occasionally _______ in summer. (rain)
Michael frequently _________ his family. (visit)
They _________ from England. (come)
The sun ________ in the East. (rise)

Exercise 2: Complete the sentences with the correct present continuous form of the verbs in
brackets.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

The children _______________ outside at the moment. (play)

Paul _____________ in Cardiff, these days. (live)
What ___ you ________, now? (do)
____ she _________ her room tonight? (tidy)
We _____________ our friends at 9.00 tomorrow. (meet)

Exercise 3: Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets. Use the present
simple or present continuous.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

We ___________(not play) in the World Cup this year.

This is Kasia. She __________ (come) from Warsaw.
We ____________ (have) a barbecue tonight.
I ___________(wait) for an important parcel to arrive.
He ___________ (not like) wearing a tie.
_________ she _______ (have) a very busy social life?

Exercise 4: Inflect these verbs in PAST SIMPLE and PAST CONTINUOUS and write one
sentence with each word as in the example.

e.g. write
I wrote / was writing
I wrote an English test yesterday. / I was writing a letter yesterday at 7 oclock.
read

teach do

think

wear

swim

fly be

Exercise 5: Complete the sentences. Use Past Simple and Past Continuous.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

It ..(rain) when we.(go out).

I ..(open) the window because it was hot.
When I got to the office, Ann and Peter (work).
I ..(hear) a noise, so I..(look) out of the window.
Tom(look) out of the window when the accident(happen).
Bruce had a book in his hand, but he(not / read)it. He..(watch) TV.
Eric bought a magazine, but she.(not / read) it. She didnt have time.
I..(finish) lunch,(pay), and..(leave)the restaurant.

Exercise 6: Prepositions in time expressions. Choose the correct preposition.

1. What would you like to do at /in / on the morning?
2. In England, it often snows in /on / at December.
3. The shop closes in /at / on midnight.
4. Where will you be at /in / on New Years Day?
5. I have a meeting on /at / in 9.00 a.m.
6. She went to university at /in / on the 1990s.
7. Ill give you a call at /on / in two weeks time.
8. My birthday is at /on / in June 20.
9. Do you eat special food at /on / in Christmas?
10. He starts working at/ on / in Wednesday.
Exercise 7:

Complete the sentences with so, because, however, but or although.

1. The weather was lovely ____ we stayed in the garden.

2. The little boy was wet and cold ____ he wasnt hurt.
3. I had to walk to work _________ the car wouldnt start.
4. It was very cold _______ we didnt go out.
5. ___________ the sun was shining it wasnt that warm.
6. I tried to lift the box. ________, it was too heavy for me.