Present simple vs present continuous

• Engels
• Secundair onderwijs

Present simple or present continuous?

How do I know which one to use?

Learning objective

After this lesson you:

• can use the present simple and continuous correctly.

Messi is playing football.
(right now)

Messi plays football.
(but NOT at the moment)

Present simple

I walk

You walk

He/she/it walks

We walk

You walk

They walk

subject + infinitive without to

Present continuous

I am walking

You are walking

He/she/it is walking

We are walking

You are walking

They are walking

subject + to be + ing-form

1. I like scary movies.

2. He is walking the dog.

3. We are dancing all night long.

4. She plays the piano.

5. They are my parents.

Present Simple

Present Continuous

1

2

3

4

5

Present simple or present continuous?

Wanneer je het hebt over iets wat nu, op dit moment, aan het gebeuren is gebruik je de

1. present simple
2. present continuous

signaalwoorden

Wanneer je deze woorden ziet, weet je meteen bij welke tense ze horen. Belangrijke tip!

Present Simple

signal words

Present Continuous

signal words

Never

Now

Listen!

At the moment

Often

Every day

Sometimes

Mrs. Jones (to drink) ... tea every Sunday.

1. drinks
2. drink
3. is drinking
4. am drinking

Now she (to drink) ... hot chocolate.

1. drink
2. drinks
3. is drinking
4. am drinking

Susan (to play)... a nice song on the piano.

1. play
2. plays
3. is playing
4. are playing

He (to play)... the guitar in a band every Friday.

1. play
2. plays
3. is playing
4. am playing

We always (to eat) ... chicken on Monday.

1. eat
2. eats
3. are eating
4. is eating

We use the ______ for something that always or regularly happens.

1. Present simple
2. Present continuous
3. Past simple
4. Past continuous

Choose the right answer: present simple or present continuous.

Janey ... cats.

1. loves
2. is loving

Present simple vs present continuous

SIMPLE!

Hoe? infinitive without to

He, she, it? infinitive + s

Use: gewoonte, routine,

vaak of juist nooit

In combinatie met always,

often, never, every day/week

CONTINUOUS

Hoe? To be + infinititive+ ING

Use: als iets NU bezig is en nog even duurt

In combinatie met: now, right now, at this moment

Present simple vs present continuous

SIMPLE!

I work every day

She never eats pizza

Do you read often?
They don't ever play tennis!

CONTINUOUS

I am working today

She is eating spaghetti right now

Are you reading books at this moment?

They are not playing tennis now.

00:11

1. He's watching home video's.
2. He watches home videos.

00:31

Do you experience life through your smartphone?

00:40

Which tense is 'Tomorrow I'm leaving for college.'?

1. Present Simple
2. Present Continuous

01:00

At your home, can you watch a screen while you're eating?

01:30

1. They're taking a road trip.
2. They take a road trip.

02:14

What does the boy never do?

02:33

The dog

1. licks his face.
2. is licking his face.

Jouw mening over deze les:
Is het doel bereikt?

1. Nee, want ik snap de uitleg niet.
2. Nog niet maar als ik nog wat oefen, komt dat wel.
3. Ja, dankzij deze les die ik leuk en leerrijk vind.
4. Ik kon het eigenlijk al