🎯 Lesson Goal
By the end of this lesson, you will know exactly when to use the Simple Present (for routines and facts) and the Present Progressive (for things happening right now).
📊 Comparison Table
Here is a quick look at how the two tenses compare:
| Tense | When to use it | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | Facts, habits, routines, schedules. | I drink coffee every morning. |
| Present Progressive | Happening right now, temporary situations. | I am drinking coffee right now. |
📘 Main Rules
Pay close attention to the "signal words" that usually go with each tense.
Rule 1: Simple Present
Use for routines and facts. Signal words: always, usually, every day, often, sometimes, never.
✅ Correct: She usually wakes up at 7 AM.
❌ Wrong: She is usually waking up at 7 AM.
Rule 2: Present Progressive
Use for actions happening now. Form: am/is/are + verb-ing. Signal words: now, right now, at the moment, look, listen.
✅ Correct: Listen! The birds are singing.
❌ Wrong: Listen! The birds sing.
🧠 The Big Exception: Stative Verbs
There is one major exception to the "Right Now" rule: Stative Verbs.
Verbs that describe states, feelings, senses, and possession are almost never used in the progressive (-ing) form, even if the feeling is happening right now.
✅ Correct: I want a coffee right now.
Common Stative Verbs
- Thoughts/Feelings: know, think, understand, believe, want, need, prefer, like, love, hate.
- Possession: have, belong, own.
- Senses: hear, taste, smell, see.
🌎 Spanish / Portuguese Connection
In Spanish and Portuguese, it is common to use the simple present to talk about what is happening right now. Do not transfer this rule to English!
| Spanish / Portuguese Phrase | Common English Mistake | Correct English |
|---|---|---|
| ES: ¿Qué haces? PT: O que você faz? |
What do you do? (This means "What is your job?") |
What are you doing? (Right now) |
| ES: Llueve mucho. PT: Chove muito. |
It rains a lot. (When referring to right now) |
It is raining a lot. (Right now) |
| ES: Llevo una chaqueta. PT: Uso uma jaqueta. |
I wear a jacket. (Right now) |
I am wearing a jacket. (Right now) |
✏️ Practice A — Fill in the Blank
Type the correct verb form in the blank. Use either the Simple Present or the Present Progressive.
🔍 Practice B — Error Correction
Rewrite each sentence correctly. Some sentences are using the simple present when they should be progressive, or vice-versa. (Do not use contractions in your answer unless prompted).
✅ Practice C — Multiple Choice
Choose the best option to complete the sentence. Look closely at the signal words, and watch out for stative verbs!
🧠 Spelling Rules for -ing
Just a quick reminder on how to spell words when adding -ing!
- Most verbs: Just add -ing. (play → playing, sleep → sleeping)
- Verbs ending in -e: Drop the 'e' and add -ing. (make → making, write → writing)
- Verbs ending in one vowel + one consonant: Double the final consonant. (run → running, swim → swimming)