Present Simple vs Present Continuous (Stative Verbs) Exercises with Answers – Grammar Test & Practice

In this present simple vs present continuous exercise, you’ll focus especially on stative and dynamic verbs.
Many learners make mistakes such as “I am knowing” or “She is liking”.
These exercises will help you clearly understand when to use the simple present and when to use the present continuous — especially with verbs that are not usually used in continuous form.

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👉 Try our full worksheet version here: → Present Simple vs Present Continuous Exercises with Answers

Present Simple or Present Continuous Exercises (Multiple Choice)

Exercise 1: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct answer (simple present or present continuous)

  1. Joe at the moment. He has been working all night long.
  2. He fast because he's late for work.
  3. What time in this area?
  4. Mom is in the kitchen . She dinner.
  5. Most employees in this company at leat two languages.
  6. She is in good shape. She always to the gym early in the morning..
  7. He never up late. Tonight is an exception. He is invited to his best friend's wedding party.
  8. Barbara is busy these days. She a new business.
  9. What tonight? Why don't you come with us to the concert?
  10. Today I a raincoat because it's unusually cold and rainy.
  11. Take your umbrella. It heavily today.
  12. Look at James ! He with a beautiful girl. Who is she?
  13. I don't like fish. It me feel sick?
  14. What time tomorrow?
  15. She rarely coffee. She tea.
  16. He regularly TV in the evening.
  17. Please be quiet. I to help your brother to do his homework.
  18. She her parents whenever she is in trouble.
  19. We are not available today. We our coach.

Additional Present Simple and Continuous Exercises (Stative Vs Dynamic + Mixed Tenses)

Exercise 2: Stative or Dynamic?

Read the sentences and decide if the verb is stative (S) or dynamic (D).
– If it is stative, use the simple present form.
– If it is dynamic, use the correct continuous form.

  1. I __________________ (see) a strange shadow in this photo.
  2. I __________________ (see) the doctor tomorrow afternoon.
  3. This soup __________________ (taste) a little too salty.
  4. The chef __________________ (taste) the sauce to check the seasoning.
  5. You __________________ (look) beautiful in that dress.
  6. Why __________________ you __________________ (look) at me like that?
  7. The children __________________ (be) very quiet today. I hope they’re not sick.
  8. The children __________________ (be) usually very noisy, but today they are calm.
  9. This bag __________________ (belong) to my grandmother.
  10. She ______ (have) lunch with her manager at the moment.
1. see (S) – Perception verb used as a state.
2. am seeing (D) – Arranged future activity.
3. tastes (S) – Describing inherent quality.
4. is tasting (D) – Action in progress.
5. look (S) – Describing appearance (state).
6. are you looking (D) – Action happening now.
7. are being (D) – Temporary behavior.
8. are (S) – General characteristic.
9. belongs (S) – Possession/state.
10. is having (D) – Activity happening now.

Exercise 3: Mixed Tenses (Harder Level – Grammar Test)

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb in brackets (simple or continuous).

  1. The train to London __________________ (leave) at 5:15 pm tomorrow, so don’t be late.
  2. I can’t help you right now because I __________________ (prepare) for an important presentation.
  3. My father normally __________________ (work) in his garden on Sundays.
  4. This year, we __________________ (try) to save more money for a holiday.
  5. This cake __________________ (smell) delicious. Did you bake it yourself?
  6. I __________________ (think) you should take the job. It’s a great opportunity.
  7. They __________________ (constantly / argue) about money. It’s so annoying!
  8. What time __________________ your sister __________________ (get) back from her trip tomorrow?
  9. The coach __________________ (not / believe) we can win the match without more practice.
  10. Listen! Someone __________________ (play) the piano beautifully upstairs.
  11. I usually enjoy action films, but this one __________________ (seem) really boring tonight.
  12. Our neighbours __________________ (have) a house by the sea, but they rarely use it.
  13. You look very thoughtful. What __________________ you __________________ (think) about?
  14. The children __________________ (be) very well-behaved today because they want to go to the park later.
  15. Hurry up! Everyone __________________ (wait) for you in the conference room.
1. leaves – Future timetable (scheduled event).
2. am preparing – Temporary action happening now.
3. works – Habit.
4. are trying – Temporary situation this year.
5. smells – Stative verb (quality).
6. think – Stative verb (opinion).
7. are constantly arguing – Repeated annoying action.
8. does your sister get – Future timetable.
9. doesn’t believe – Stative verb (mental state).
10. is playing – Action happening now.
11. seems – Stative verb.
12. have – Stative verb (possession).
13. are you thinking – Mental process in progress (dynamic use).
14. are being – Temporary behavior.
15. is waiting – Action happening now.

If you found some of the answers difficult, review the summary below before trying the exercises again.

Present Simple vs Present Continuous – Quick Recap

Let’s quickly review the key differences between the present simple and present continuous tenses, especially when dealing with stative and dynamic verbs.

1. When Do We Use the Present Simple?

  • We use the present simple for:
    • Habits and routines
      • She works every day.
      • They play football on Sundays.
  1. General facts and permanent situations
    • Water boils at 100°C.
    • He lives in London.
  2. Timetables and schedules (future meaning)
    • The train leaves at 5:15 pm tomorrow.
  3. Stative verbs (states, not actions)
    • Stative verbs describe:
      • Feelings: like, love, hate
      • Possession: have, own, belong
      • Mental states: know, believe, understand
      • Senses (when describing perception): see, hear, smell
      • Appearance (state): look, seem
        Examples:
        I believe you.
        This bag belongs to me.
      • She looks tired.
    • These verbs are not usually used in continuous form.

2. When Do We Use the Present Continuous?

We use the present continuous for:

  1. Actions happening now
    • She is studying right now.
  2. Temporary situations
    • I am working from home this week.
  3. Future arrangements
    • We are meeting them tonight.
  4. Annoying repeated actions (with “always” or “constantly”)
    • He is always complaining!

3. Verbs That Can Be Both Stative and Dynamic

Some verbs change meaning depending on how they are used.

  • Think
    • I think it’s a good idea. (opinion → stative)
    • I am thinking about moving abroad. (mental process → dynamic)
  • Have
    • She has a car. (possession → stative)
    • She is having lunch. (activity → dynamic)
  • See
    • I see a bird in the tree. (perception → stative)
    • I am seeing the dentist tomorrow. (arranged meeting → dynamic)
  • Be
    • He is polite. (permanent characteristic → stative)
    • He is being rude. (temporary behavior → dynamic)

⚠️ Common Mistake

  • ❌ I am knowing the answer.
    ✔ I know the answer.
  • ❌ She is liking this song.
    ✔ She likes this song.

Final Tip

  • If the verb describes a state, feeling, possession, or opinion, use the present simple.
  • If it describes an action, temporary behavior, or arrangement, use the present continuous.
Tags: Exercises on English TensesExercises on Present Tenses
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