CARROTTA
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⏱️ Compendium
Grammar
EN
English — Present simple vs present continuous
Use the present simple for habits and facts, and the present continuous for what is happening now or around now. Compare I work in an office with I am working from home this week.
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How it works
✓ Rule
The present simple states permanent situations, routines and general truths: She works at a bank; Water boils at 100 degrees. The present continuous (am/is/are + -ing) describes an action in progress or a temporary situation: She is working late tonight; It is raining.
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Examples
| Present simple (habit / fact) | Present continuous (now / temporary) |
|---|---|
| I work in an office. | I am working from home today. |
| She usually drinks tea. | She is drinking coffee right now. |
| They live in Rome. | They are living in Rome for a year. |
| Water boils at 100 degrees. | The water is boiling — turn it off! |
| He plays football on Sundays. | He is playing football at the moment. |
| It often rains in spring. | Look — it is raining now. |
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Good to know
⚠ Note
Stative verbs — know, want, like, need, believe, understand — normally stay in the simple form even when you mean now. Say I know the answer and I want tea, not I am knowing or I am wanting.