Present Simple and Continuous

students studying English together in class
CEFR: A2
tenses

Present Simple and Continuous



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🎧 Read/Listen first

In English, we use the present simple to talk about habits and routines. For example, I go to school every day. The present continuous is used for actions happening now. For instance, I am studying English right now. We often use time expressions like 'every day' with the present simple and 'now' with the present continuous. Understanding these tenses helps us communicate better in English. Let's practice using them in sentences!

⚡ Learning goals

  • Understand present simple and continuous
  • Use tenses in sentences
  • Practice speaking and writing

🔑 Key language

  • I go to school every day. I go to school.
  • I am studying English now. I am studying.
  • What are you doing? What are you doing?

🌍 Global comprehension

What tense is used for habits?

What do we use for actions happening now?

Complete: I ___ to school every day.

✍️ AI writing analysis

CEFR: A2Length: 2 sentences

Task: Write a sentence using the present simple and one using the present continuous.

Use the examples from the lesson.

Success criteria: Two correct sentences with clear tenses.

Target vocabulary

  • go
  • study
  • now
Grammar focus

  • present simple
  • present continuous

✍️ Vocabulary

goto move from one place to another.
I go to school every day.
Repeat: I go to school.
Défi rapide : Say 'go' in a sentence.
studyto learn about a subject.
I study English every day.
Repeat: I study English.
Défi rapide : Use 'study' in a sentence.
nowat the present time.
I am studying now.
Repeat: I am studying now.
Défi rapide : Say 'now' in a sentence.
every dayeach day.
I go to school every day.
Repeat: I go to school every day.
Défi rapide : Use 'every day' in a sentence.
playto engage in activity for enjoyment.
They play soccer on weekends.
Repeat: They play soccer.
Défi rapide : Say 'play' in a sentence.

🧠 Flashcards interactives

Choisissez la bonne réponse, écoutez le modèle, puis répétez à voix haute.

Chargement des flashcards interactives…

⚙️ Rules & Grammar

🟣 Using Present Simple

Rule:
The present simple is used for habits and routines. We often use it with time expressions like 'every day'.

Examples:

  • I eat breakfast at 7 AM.
  • She plays soccer on weekends.
  • They go to the gym every day.
Common pitfall + fix:

  • Using present simple for actions now. → Use present continuous for actions happening now.
  • Forgetting time expressions. → Always add time expressions like 'every day'.
Check your understanding
Which sentence is in the present simple?

Use the language
Complete: He ___ to the store every Saturday.

🟣 Using Present Continuous

Rule:
The present continuous is used for actions happening right now. We use 'am', 'is', or 'are' + verb + -ing.

Examples:

  • I am studying English now.
  • She is reading a book.
  • They are playing soccer.
Common pitfall + fix:

  • Using present continuous for habits. → Use present simple for habits.
  • Forgetting the -ing form. → Always add -ing to the verb.
Check your understanding
Which sentence is in the present continuous?

Use the language
Complete: She ___ a book right now.

🟣 Time Expressions

Rule:
We use time expressions to clarify when actions happen. 'Every day' is for present simple, and 'now' is for present continuous.

Examples:

  • I go to school every day.
  • He is eating lunch now.
  • They play soccer on weekends.
Common pitfall + fix:

  • Mixing up time expressions. → Use 'every day' with present simple.
  • Not using time expressions. → Always include time expressions.
Check your understanding
Which time expression goes with present continuous?

Use the language
Complete: I study English ___ (now).

🟣 Forming Questions

Rule:
To ask questions in the present simple, use 'do' or 'does'. For present continuous, use 'am', 'is', or 'are'.

Examples:

  • Do you like pizza?
  • Does she play soccer?
  • Are they studying now?
Common pitfall + fix:

  • Forgetting to use 'do' or 'does'. → Always start with 'do' or 'does' for present simple.
  • Using the wrong form of 'to be'. → Use 'am', 'is', or 'are' for present continuous.
Check your understanding
How do you ask about a habit?

Use the language
Complete: ___ you like ice cream?

🧩 Guided practice

Mini-dialogue:
I go to school every day. I am studying now.

Why this matters:
Understanding these tenses helps you communicate better.

Verb & Adjective Pack:
Use present simple for habits and present continuous for actions happening now.

Complete: I ___ to the gym every week.
Complete: She ___ a book now.
Complete: They ___ soccer every Saturday.

🎙️ AI oral analysis

CEFR: A2Oral target: 2 sentences

Oral task: Write two sentences: one in the present simple and one in the present continuous.

Use the examples from the lesson.

Success criteria: Two correct sentences with clear tenses.

Target vocabulary

  • go
  • study
  • now
Grammar focus

  • present simple
  • present continuous

🚀 Quick challenge

Listen to the model, repeat aloud, then retry to improve your score.

EASYSay a sentence using 'go'.
Model: I go to school every day.
Correct use of 'go'.
MEDIUMUse 'study' in a sentence.
Model: I study English now.
Correct use of 'study'.
HARDMake a sentence with 'now'.
Model: I am studying now.
Correct use of 'now'.

AI Conversation Mission

Situation

You are talking about your daily routine.

Your mission
  • Describe your daily habits.
  • Explain what you are doing now.
  • Ask about someone else's routine.
Focus language
What do you do every day?I am studying now.Do you like to play sports?
Communication tip

Use clear sentences and time expressions.