Simple vs. Present Continuous Tense

The SIMPLE TENSE is used 1) to describe things and 2) for repeated actions. 

FORM: SUBJECT + VERB + COMPLEMENT

Examples…

• I am happy. You have a dog. We live in the city. (descriptions)

• I drink water every day. Kim cooks breakfast every monday at 6AM. (repeated action)

📝NOTE: Frequency adverbs like “everyday”, “never”, “sometimes” tell you the action is repeated.  

The PRESENT CONTINUOUS tense is used to describe an ongoing action in a specific moment. 

FORM: SUBJECT + VERB+ING + COMPLIMENT

Examples...

• I am talking on the phone. (tells me you are talking right now) 

• Kim is cooking breakfast right now. (ongoing action in a specific moment)

Take another look! Our friend Kim only “is cooking” in a specific moment. Look…

✅Kim cooks breakfast everyday. (present simple)
❌Kim is cooking breakfast everyday. (present continuous, not okay with “everyday”)
✅Kim is cooking breakfast right now. (present continuous, okay with “right now”)