ESL BLUE(s) Grammar Troubleshooting: Present Simple versus Present Progressive

ESL BLUE(s) Troubleshooting present simple versus present progressive

The following table shows when you should use the present simple and the present progressive verb forms.

Present progressive Present simple
Look at her! She is smoking. This is a no-smoking area.
This is an action in progress. The present progressive indicates it is happening right now.
She smokes too much. She smokes two packs a day.
This is a repeated or habitual action, not an action in progress. The present simple indicates that it happens repeatedly.
I am changing jobs. I'm quite excited.
This is an action in progress, part of the person's present circumstances. The present progressive indicates it is happening these days.
I change jobs every two or three years.
This is a repeated or habitual action, not an action in progress. The present simple indicates that it happens repeatedly.
We are staying home this weekend. We're too tired to go out.
This is not an action in progress, but it is a planned activity for the near future. You could also say:
We are going to stay home this weekend.
You fly from Montreal on Iberian Airlines on January 25 at 6:45 p.m. and you arrive the next morning at Barcelona at 7:10.
The present simple is rarely used to express future events. However, it is often used for itineraries.
Bob: Wow! Look at the movements. These people really know how to dance. I like to see good dancers.
Linda: Yes, I think this is the best dance troupe in North America.
We use the present simple to express the idea of knowing, thinking, feeling. We rarely use the present continuous with these verbs. (For more information do the quizzes on non-progressive verbs).

Present progressive	Present simple
Look at her! She is smoking. This is a no-smoking area. This is an action in progress. The present progressive indicates it is happening right now.	She smokes too much. She smokes two packs a day. This is a repeated or habitual action, not an action in progress. The present simple indicates that it happens repeatedly.
I am changing jobs. I'm quite excited. This is an action in progress, part of the person's present circumstances. The present progressive indicates it is happening these days.	I change jobs every two or three years. This is a repeated or habitual action, not an action in progress. The present simple indicates that it happens repeatedly.
We are staying home this weekend. We're too tired to go out. This is not an action in progress, but it is a planned activity for the near future. You could also say: We are going to stay home this weekend.	You fly from Montreal on Iberian Airlines on January 25 at 6:45 p.m. and you arrive the next morning at Barcelona at 7:10. The present simple is rarely used to express future events. However, it is often used for itineraries.
	Bob: Wow! Look at the movements. These people really know how to dance. I like to see good dancers. Linda: Yes, I think this is the best dance troupe in North America. We use the present simple to express the idea of knowing, thinking, feeling. We rarely use the present continuous with these verbs. (For more information do the quizzes on non-progressive verbs).

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