We use the present simple to talk about our habits, routines and general truths. The present continuous is used to talk about actions or situations that are going on at the moment of speaking.
Can you use the simple present and present continuous correctly? Test your understanding with this grammar exercise.
Fill in the blanks with an appropriate tense form.
1She is Italian; she ............... from Rome.
Wrong!
Use "comes" for a permanent fact about origin.
2I ............... my holiday in France.
Wrong!
Use "am enjoying" for a temporary situation happening around now.
3What ...............?
Wrong!
Use "do snakes eat" to ask about a general fact.
4I ............... my grandparents every week.
Wrong!
Use "visit" for a regular habit with "every week".
5I ............... never to smoke again.
Wrong!
Use "promise" when making a promise at the moment of speaking.
6How ............... to the railway station?
Wrong!
Use "do I get" when asking for general directions.
7I ............... this fragrance very much.
Wrong!
Use "like" because it is a stative verb and is not normally used in the continuous form.
8Why ...............? Is something wrong?
Wrong!
Use "are you crying" for an action happening now.
9Why ............... on the table?
Wrong!
Use "are you standing" for a temporary action happening now.
10The castle ............... on a hill outside the town.
Wrong!
Use "stands" for a permanent location.
11............... in ghosts?
Wrong!
Use "Do you believe" because "believe" is a stative verb and is not normally used in the continuous form.
12I ............... them almost every day.
Wrong!
Use "meet" for a regular action with "almost every day".
Answers
- She is Italian; she comes from Rome.
- I am enjoying my holiday in France.
- What do snakes eat?
- I visit my grandparents every week.
- I promise never to smoke again.
- How do I get to the railway station?
- I like this fragrance very much.
- Why are you crying? Is something wrong?
- Why are you standing on the table?
- The castle stands on a hill outside the town.
- Do you believe in ghosts?
- I meet them almost every day.