Present Simple or Present Continuous Exercises with Answers

Looking for present simple vs present continuous exercises with answers?

This page offers interactive quizzes, gap-fill activities, and sentence correction tasks to help you master the difference between these two English tenses. A printable PDF worksheet is also available for classroom or self-study use.

If you need to review the form and use of the present simple and present continuous, jump to the recap at the end of this post!

Prefer a printable version? Download the complete Present Simple vs Present Continuous worksheet (9-page PDF with answers) for classroom or self-study use.

👉 Get the printable worksheet here.

Present Simple vs Present Continuous Exercises with Answers

Complete the exercises below by choosing the correct tense: present simple or present continuous. Pay attention to time expressions and context clues. Check your answers after each activity.

Exercise 1 – Understanding the Use (Concept Check)

Answer the following questions about the use of the present simple and present continuous:

  1. The Present Continuous is used to describe temporary actions that are happening right now.
    • True or False?
  2. Which sentence is correct for an action that happens regularly?
    • a) She is playing tennis every weekend.
    • b) She plays tennis every weekend.
  3. Fill in the blank: “Right now, the children ________ (watch) TV.”
  4. Choose the correct sentence for a general truth:
    • a) The sun is rising in the east.
    • b) The sun rises in the east.
1. → False
2. → True
3. → (b) She plays tennis every weekend.
4. → are watching
5. → (b) The sun rises in the east.

Exercise 2 – Multiple Choice (Dropdown Activity)

Choose the correct answer (simple present or present continuous)

  1. It cats and dogs. We'd better stay at home.
  2. I TV every day in the morning.
  3. to the party tonight?
  4. The children are at the stadium. They a football match.
  5. I to the cinema.
  6. She usually late to school.
  7. He regularly .
  8. John is busy. He at the moment.
  9. Be quiet! The baby .
  10. She to New York next weekend.

Exercise 3: Present Simple or Present Continuous (Gap-Fill)

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form: Present Simple or Present Continuous.

  1. She usually ______ (drink) coffee in the morning.
  2. Listen! The birds ______ (sing).
  3. My brother ______ (work) in a bank.
  4. We ______ (study) for the test at the moment.
  5. They often ______ (travel) during the summer.
  6. Look! It ______ (snow).
  7. I ______ (not / understand) this exercise.
  8. Why ______ you ______ (laugh)?
  9. She ______ (teach) English every day.
  10. We ______ (stay) with friends this week.
  11. The Earth ______ (go) around the sun.
  12. He ______ (not / watch) TV right now.
  13. ______ she usually ______ (play) tennis on Sundays?
  14. I ______ (read) a very interesting book these days.
  15. Water ______ (boil) at 100°C.
1. drinks
2. are singing
3. works
4. are studying
5. travel
6. is snowing
7. do not understand / don’t understand
8. are you laughing
9. teaches
10. are staying
11. goes
12. is not watching / isn’t watching
13. Does she usually play
14. am reading
15. boils

Exercise 4: Sentence Correction

Each sentence contains a mistake. Correct the error.

  1. She is going to school by bus every day.
  2. I am knowing the answer.
  3. They play football right now.
  4. He is usually getting up at 7 a.m.
  5. We watch a movie at the moment.
  6. The sun is shining in the east.
  7. She is having a car.
  8. I read a great book this week.
  9. Listen! The baby cries.
  10. He is working in a hospital every day.
  11. They are live in London this year.
  12. She don’t understand the lesson.
  13. Why you are smiling?
  14. I am believing you.
  15. We are visiting our grandparents every Sunday.
1. She goes to school by bus every day. 2. I know the answer. 3. They are playing football right now. 4. He usually gets up at 7 a.m. 5. We are watching a movie at the moment. 6. The sun shines in the east. 7. She has a car. 8. I am reading a great book this week. 9. Listen! The baby is crying. 10. He works in a hospital every day. 11. They are living in London this year. 12. She doesn’t understand the lesson. 13 Why are you smiling? 14. I believe you. 15. We visit our grandparents every Sunday.

Download the Printable Worksheet (PDF)

Want to practice offline or use this in your classroom?

Download the complete 9-page Present Simple vs Present Continuous Worksheet Pack in printable PDF format.

This ready-to-use resource includes:

✔ A concise grammar review
✔ Understanding the use activity
✔ Matching exercise (10 items)
✔ Multiple choice practice (20 questions)
✔ Gap-fill activity (20 sentences)
✔ Natural real-life conversation task
✔ Full answer key

Perfect for teachers, tutors, and students who prefer structured, printable practice.

Click here to download the worksheet (PDF).

Present Simple vs. Present Continuous (Recap)

The Present Simple describes habits, routines, general truths, and permanent states, while the Present Continuous focuses on temporary actions happening now or around the present moment.

TenseFormUseExample
Present SimpleSubject + base verb (+s for he/she/it)– Regular actions or routines
– General truths
– Permanent states		– I walk to school every day.
– The sun rises in the east.
– She works as a teacher.
Present ContinuousSubject + am/is/are + verb + -ing– Actions happening now
– Temporary actions
– Future arrangements		– She is studying right now.
– They are living in London for a month.
– We are meeting tomorrow.

Present Simple vs Present Continuous – FAQs

What is the difference between present simple and present continuous?

The present simple is used for habits and general truths, while the present continuous is used for actions happening now or temporary situations.

When do we use the present continuous for the future?

We use it for fixed future arrangements, especially with time expressions like tomorrow or next week.

Can stative verbs be used in the present continuous?

Most stative verbs (like know, like, believe) are not normally used in the present continuous.

Tags: Exercises on English TensesExercises on Present Tenses
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