The Simple Present vs the Present Progressive

Present Progressive Tense:

Study the present progressive here

Study the spelling of gerunds here:

Present Progressive Function:

Actions Happening Now:

• I’m writing an email at the moment.
• They’re playing basketball in the park right now.
• She’s preparing a presentation for tomorrow’s meeting at the moment.
• The team’s working on the new project proposal right now.
• Our neighbors are hosting a barbecue in their backyard now.

Temporary Situations:

• He is staying at a hotel
• She is learning to play the piano for the summer.
• They are renting a cottage by the lake for the weekend.
• I am working on a freelance project until the end of the month.
• We are experimenting with a new advertising campaign this quarter.

Future Plans and Arrangements:

• We are having dinner at the new restaurant tomorrow.
• They are going on vacation next week.
• I am starting a new online course on digital marketing next Monday.
• She is meeting with the investor to discuss the startup idea on Friday.
• The team is launching the new product version at the end of the month.

Changing or Developing Situations:

• The company is growing rapidly.
• The children are getting taller every year.
• The climate is becoming more unpredictable due to global warming.
• Technology is advancing faster than ever before.
• Consumer preferences are shifting towards more sustainable products.

Remember, we always use the simple present tense for habitual actions, general truths, and permanent situations.
Also bear in my that we use the present progressive tense for ongoing actions, in addition to temporary situations, and future plans or arrangements.

Present Progressive Formulas:

Positive Form:

Subject + “be” verb (am, is, are) + present participle (-ing form of the main verb) + the rest of the sentence.

Example:

• I am studying for my exam.
• She is reading a book.
• She is studying for her exams right now.
• They are playing soccer in the park.
• The chef is preparing a new dish.

Go here for an AFFIRMATIVE PRESENT PROGRESSIVE EXERCISE

Negative Form:

Subject + “be” verb (am not, is not, are not) + present participle (-ing form of the main verb) + the rest of the sentence.

Example:

• They are not playing football.
• He is not watching TV.
• He isn’t watching TV at the moment.
• We aren’t going to the beach this weekend.
• It isn’t raining outside.

Click here for an NEGATIVE PRESENT PROGRESSIVE EXERCISE

Interrogative Form:

“Be” verb (Am, Is, Are) + subject + present participle (-ing form of the main verb) + the rest of the sentence.

Example:

• Are you listening to music?
• Is she coming to the party?
• Are you working on the project today?
• Is she learning French this semester?
• Are they planning a trip for the holidays?

Go here for a YES/NO QUESTION EXERCISE

Wh-Word Interrogative Form:

“Be” verb (Am, Is, Are) + subject + present participle (-ing form of the main verb) + the rest of the sentence.

Example:

1. What are you doing for your birthday party this weekend?
2. Where is he going with all those books?
3. Why are they arguing in the meeting room?
4. Who is making all that noise upstairs?
5. How are you managing to study while working full-time?

Click here for a WH-WORD EXERCISE

Remember that these formulas are for the present progressive tense, which is used to describe ongoing actions happening at the present moment or around the current time.

Exercise:

Instructions: Please, Practice the formulas in the exercise below, fill in the blanks with the words in parentheses.

Time's up

Time Expressions for the Present Progressive Tense:

Here’s a categorization of the time expressions for the present progressive tenses:

Present Moment:

• Right now: She is studying right now.
• At the moment: We are discussing the project at the moment.
• Currently: They are currently working on a new assignment.
• Now: He is cooking dinner now.
• Today: Are you going to the park today?

Extended Time:

• This week/month/year: We are traveling this week.
• These days: They are busy with their new business these days.

Ongoing Action/State:

• In progress: The construction work is in progress.
• In the middle of: She is in the middle of writing an email.
• At present: Are you working on any projects at present?

Future actions:

1. Tomorrow: I am meeting my friends for lunch tomorrow.
2. Next week/month/year: They are traveling to Europe next month.
3. Soon: She is starting her new job soon.
4. In the near future: We are going to renovate our house in the near future.
5. Later today: He is going to the doctor later today.
6. This weekend: Are you coming to the party this weekend?
7. In a little while: They are leaving for the airport in a little while.
8. Next Friday: We are attending a concert next Friday.
9. In a couple of days: They are arriving in a couple of days.
10. Shortly: The movie will be starting shortly.

These time expressions can be used to provide additional context and specify when an action is happening in relation to the present moment. When using the simple present tense, time expressions help describe habitual or general actions. On the other hand, when using the present progressive tense, time expressions highlight actions or situations that are currently ongoing or in progress.

Remember, these lists are not exhaustive, and there are many more time expressions that can be used with each tense. It’s important to choose the appropriate time expression based on the intended meaning and context of the sentence.