Simple Present vs Present Continuous Exercises (With Answers)

Looking to master Simple present vs present continuous exercises? This guide makes it easy. We cover the essential rules, examples, and step-by-step exercises so you can confidently use both tenses in speaking and writing.

Whether you are practicing routines, habits, or actions happening now, these present simple vs present continuous exercises with answers will help you improve fast.

Quick Review – Present Simple vs Present Continuous

Before you start these simple present vs present continuous exercises, here is a quick and easy review:

• Present Simple → used for habits, routines, and general facts
• Present Continuous → used for actions happening now or temporary situations

Quick Examples

• I work every day. → (present simple = routine)
• I am working now. → (present continuous = happening now)
• She reads books. → (habit)
• She is reading a book now. → (action now)

Easy Rule to Remember

• If the action is regular or always true → use present simple
• If the action is happening now → use present continuous

If you want a deeper explanation with more examples, you can check Present Simple vs Present Continuous: Rules & Examples.

Exercise 1 – Choose the Correct Tense

Choose the correct form of the verb: present simple or present continuous.

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Questions

1. She usually (drink / is drinking) coffee in the morning.
2. I (watch / am watching) TV right now.
3. They (play / are playing) football every weekend.
4. He (work / is working) at the moment.
5. We (study / are studying) English every day.
6. Listen! The baby (cry / is crying).
7. She (go / is going) to school by bus every day.
8. I (read / am reading) a very interesting book now.
9. They (live / are living) in London this year.
10. He always (eat / is eating) breakfast at 7 a.m.

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Answer Key

1. She usually drinks coffee in the morning.
   → (present simple = habit → usually)
2. I am watching TV right now.
   → (present continuous = right now)
3. They play football every weekend.
   → (present simple = routine → every weekend)
4. He is working at the moment.
   → (present continuous = at the moment)
5. We study English every day.
   → (present simple = routine)
6. Listen! The baby is crying.
   → (present continuous = happening now)
7. She goes to school by bus every day.
   → (present simple + -s with she)
8. I am reading a very interesting book now.
   → (present continuous = now)
9. They are living in London this year.
   → (present continuous = temporary situation)
10. He always eats breakfast at 7 a.m.
    → (present simple + -s with he)

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If you want more practice with present simple questions, check Present Simple Questions – Exercises with Answers for additional exercises and explanations.

Exercise 2 – Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences using the correct form of the verb: present simple or present continuous.

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Questions

1. She __________ (go) to school every day.
2. I __________ (study) English now.
3. They __________ (play) football every weekend.
4. He __________ (watch) TV at the moment.
5. We __________ (have) dinner at 7 p.m. every day.
6. Look! The dog __________ (run) in the park.
7. She __________ (read) a book now.
8. I __________ (not / like) coffee.
9. They __________ (live) in Paris this year.
10. He __________ (work) in an office.
11. We __________ (learn) a new lesson right now.
12. She __________ (not / watch) TV every day.
13. I __________ (write) an email at the moment.
14. They __________ (eat) lunch now.
15. He __________ (go) to the gym every morning.

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Answer Key

1. She goes to school every day.
   → (present simple + -s with she)
2. I am studying English now.
   → (present continuous = now)
3. They play football every weekend.
   → (present simple = routine)
4. He is watching TV at the moment.
   → (present continuous = at the moment)
5. We have dinner at 7 p.m. every day.
   → (present simple = routine)
6. Look! The dog is running in the park.
   → (present continuous = happening now)
7. She is reading a book now.
   → (present continuous)
8. I do not (don’t) like coffee.
   → (present simple negative)
9. They are living in Paris this year.
   → (present continuous = temporary)
10. He works in an office.
    → (present simple + -s)
11. We are learning a new lesson right now.
    → (present continuous)
12. She does not (doesn’t) watch TV every day.
    → (present simple negative + base verb)
13. I am writing an email at the moment.
    → (present continuous)
14. They are eating lunch now.
    → (present continuous)
15. He goes to the gym every morning.
    → (present simple + -s)

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Exercise 3 – Correct the Mistakes

Each sentence below has a mistake. Find and correct it using the correct form of present simple or present continuous.

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Questions

1. She is go to school every day.
2. I am knowing him very well.
3. They plays football now.
4. He is work at the moment.
5. We are watch TV every evening.
6. She drink coffee now.
7. I am go to the gym every day.
8. He is eats breakfast at 7 a.m.
9. They is living in London this year.
10. She is like chocolate.

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Answer Key

1. She goes to school every day.
   → (present simple = routine + -s)
2. I know him very well.
   → (stative verb → no continuous)
3. They are playing football now.
   → (present continuous = now)
4. He is working at the moment.
   → (present continuous = am/is/are + verb+ing)
5. We watch TV every evening.
   → (present simple = routine)
6. She is drinking coffee now.
   → (present continuous)
7. I go to the gym every day.
   → (present simple = routine)
8. He eats breakfast at 7 a.m.
   → (present simple + -s)
9. They are living in London this year.
   → (present continuous = temporary)
10. She likes chocolate.
    → (stative verb → present simple)

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Quick Tip

Common mistakes usually happen when learners:

• mix habit vs now
• forget am/is/are
• add -s in the wrong place

Exercise 4 – Rewrite the Sentences

Rewrite each sentence using the correct tense as instructed.

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Questions

1. I work every day. → (Change to present continuous)
2. She is reading a book now. → (Change to present simple)
3. They play football every weekend. → (Change to present continuous)
4. He is working now. → (Change to present simple)
5. We watch TV every evening. → (Change to present continuous)
6. She drinks coffee every morning. → (Change to present continuous)
7. I am studying English now. → (Change to present simple)
8. They are living in Paris this year. → (Change to present simple)
9. He goes to the gym every day. → (Change to present continuous)
10. We are eating lunch now. → (Change to present simple)

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Answer Key

1. I am working now.
   → (present continuous = happening now)
2. She reads books.
   → (present simple = general habit)
3. They are playing football now.
   → (present continuous)
4. He works every day.
   → (present simple = routine)
5. We are watching TV now.
   → (present continuous)
6. She is drinking coffee now.
   → (present continuous)
7. I study English every day.
   → (present simple = routine)
8. They live in Paris.
   → (present simple = general fact)
9. He is going to the gym now.
   → (present continuous)
10. We eat lunch every day.
    → (present simple)

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Quick Tip

When rewriting:

• Present simple → present continuous → add am/is/are + verb+ing
• Present continuous → present simple → use base verb (or +s)

Present Simple vs Present Continuous Test

Test your knowledge of present simple and present continuous with this final challenge. Choose the correct tense for each sentence or correct the mistakes.

Part 1 – Choose the Correct Tense

1. She usually __________ (go / is going) to the gym in the morning.
2. I __________ (am reading / read) a very interesting article right now.
3. They __________ (play / are playing) tennis every Saturday.
4. He __________ (works / is working) on a new project at the moment.
5. We __________ (have / are having) breakfast at 8 a.m. every day.

Part 2 – Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences using the correct form of the verb:

1. Look! The cat __________ (sleep) on the sofa.
2. I __________ (not / understand) this grammar rule.
3. She __________ (study) French this semester.
4. He __________ (not / eat) meat every day.
5. We __________ (watch) a movie right now.

Part 3 – Correct the Mistakes

Find the mistake in each sentence and rewrite it correctly:

1. She is goes to work every day.
2. I am knowing him very well.
3. They plays football now.
4. He is eats breakfast at 7 a.m.
5. The children is playing outside.

Answer Key

Part 1 – Choose the Correct Tense

1. She usually goes to the gym in the morning. → (present simple = habit)
2. I am reading a very interesting article right now. → (present continuous = happening now)
3. They play tennis every Saturday. → (present simple = routine)
4. He is working on a new project at the moment. → (present continuous = now)
5. We have breakfast at 8 a.m. every day. → (present simple = routine)

Part 2 – Fill in the Blanks

1. Look! The cat is sleeping on the sofa. → (present continuous = happening now)
2. I do not (don’t) understand this grammar rule. → (present simple negative)
3. She is studying French this semester. → (present continuous = temporary)
4. He does not (doesn’t) eat meat every day. → (present simple negative)
5. We are watching a movie right now. → (present continuous = happening now)

Part 3 – Correct the Mistakes

1. She goes to work every day. → (present simple = routine)
2. I know him very well. → (stative verb → present simple)
3. They are playing football now. → (present continuous = happening now)
4. He eats breakfast at 7 a.m. → (present simple = routine)
5. The children are playing outside. → (present continuous = happening now)

Mastering Simple present vs present continuous exercises is key to speaking and writing English accurately. By practicing these present simple vs present continuous test exercises and reviewing the examples, you will clearly understand when to use each tense. Use these simple present vs present continuous exercises with answers regularly to avoid common mistakes, build confidence, and communicate with clarity in English.