LESSON 1

When do we use each form?

                             The cat sleeps in his cozy bed.

                                                       or

                      The cat is sleeping in his cozy bed.

PRESENT SIMPLE:

• Things which are always true.  

Example: 

Water boils at 100 degrees.  (this is a fact)

• Permanent situations. 

Example: 

Julie lives in London.

• Habits  or things we do regularly.

          Example:

          

         He walks to school everyday.

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

• Things which are happening at the moment of speaking.

       Example:

He's teaching an English lesson.

• Temporary situations.

Example:

Bill is studying in Berlin this year. ( usually he studies in Paris)

• Temporary or new habits. 
  

Example:

She is drinking to much coffee these days because she is so busy at work.

Remember

Common time expressions used with the present simple tense are:

• always, often, generally, normally, usually, sometimes, never …
• every day, every week, every year…
• once a day, twice a week, three times a month…
• in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening, at night
• on Mondays, on Fridays…

Common time expressions used with the present continuous are:

• Now, right now, at the moment, still.

You can watch this video to revise this interesting topic ⇒