Hook

“I work in a bank” vs. “I am working late tonight” — both use “work”, but they mean different things. Why?

Notice

Compare:

  • I work in a hospital. (my job — always true)
  • I am working right now. (happening at this moment)
  • She plays tennis every Sunday. (habit/routine)
  • She is playing tennis now. (happening now)

Rule

Use present simple for habits, routines, facts, and things that are generally true (with time words like always, usually, every day).

Use present continuous for actions happening right now, or temporarily (with time words like now, right now, at the moment, today).

Practice

  1. Choose the correct form: I usually ___ (walk/am walking) to school. (Answer: walk)
  2. Choose the correct form: Look! It ___ (rains/is raining)! (Answer: is raining)
  3. Choose the correct form: She ___ (works/is working) at a bank. (Answer: works)
  4. Choose the correct form: Right now, he ___ (studies/is studying) for his exam. (Answer: is studying)
  5. Which time word goes with present continuous — “every day” or “right now”? (Answer: right now)

Connect

Test your understanding with our Vocabulary Quiz tool, focusing on time expressions.

Try the Vocabulary Quiz Tool →

CEFR A1: Reading & Writing — can distinguish between habitual actions and actions happening now in simple texts.

Azizul Hakim
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