The Present Simple or Continuous Exercise

A Put the tense uses and clue words into the right columns in alphabetical order.
Uses

Clue Words

facts

routine and habits

every day now

plans for the near future

something happening now

never

Present Simple

tomorrow

Present Continuous

Uses

Uses

1 .................................................................

3 .................................................................

2 .................................................................

4 .................................................................

Clue words

Clue words

................................

................................

................................

................................

B Number the uses (1-4) and use the verbs in brackets to fill the gaps.
USE
1
2
3

5
6
7
8
9
10

11
12

I cant go shopping now. I ....................................... . (work)

Bob never ....................................... during the week. (go out)
BILLY

Where's Jim?

SALLY

He ....................................... with friends. (stay)

SALLY

What ....................................... this afternoon? (do)

BILLY

Nothing.

Rhinos ....................................... in Africa, India and Indonesia. (live)

This year I ....................................... French and German. (study)
We ....................................... to Manchester tomorrow. (go)
Look out of the window. It ....................................... . (rain)
It never ....................................... in Valencia. (snow)
BILLY

Hi. Is Alison there?

MUM

Yes, but can you ring back in 10 minutes? She ....................................... a shower. (have)

He ....................................... swimming every day. (go)

Right now I....................................... to music and surfing the Net. (listen)

C Now you write some sentences in the present simple and present continuous.
1

............................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................

www.autoenglish.org

Written by Bob Wilson Robert Clifford McNair Wilson 2009

Answers
A
Present Simple
Uses

Present Continuous
Uses

1 facts

3 plans for the near future

2 routine

4 something happening now

Clue words

Clue words

every day

now

never

tomorrow

1
2
3

USE
4
1/2
4

5
6
7
8
9
10

1
4
3
4
1
4

11
12

2
4

I cant go shopping now. I am working.

Bob never goes out during the week.
BILLY
Where's Jim?
SALLY
He is staying with friends.
SALLY
What are you doing this afternoon?
BILLY
Nothing.
Rhinos live in Africa, India and Indonesia.
This year I am studying French and German.
We are going to Manchester tomorrow.
Look out of the window .It is raining.
It never snows in Valencia.
BILLY
Hi. Is Alison there?
MUM
Yes, but can you ring back in 10 minutes? She is having a shower.
He goes swimming every day.
Right now I am listening to music and surfing the Net.

www.autoenglish.org

Written by Bob Wilson Robert Clifford McNair Wilson 2009