Extra instructions

Present simple or continuous?

Basic differences in use.

PRESENT SIMPLE

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

Permanent situations:

Janice lives in London with her husband and children.

Temporary situations, for a limited period of time:

But Janice is staying in a hotel this weekend.

Time expressions: today, this week, at the moment

Regular actions, habits and routines:

Janice is a pilot. She flies all over the world.

Actions that are happening at/around the time we are speaking:

Janice is flying to Sydney today.

Things we do not expect to change:

Pilots usually train for about two years to get their flying licence.

Something that is changing:

More and more women are training to become pilots these days.

To describe events in a book, play or film:

The story starts in Madrid. The main character lives there. One day, he goes out and…

To describe what is happening in a photo or picture:

That’s my niece in the photo. She’s riding her brother’s bike.