Present tenses
exercises with answers

Exercise 1

Choose the present simple tense or present continuous tense.

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I  write am writing am writting a letter now.

Susan  is diging digs is digging in the garden at the moment.

Jane  goes is going go to bed at 10 o'clock on weekdays.

I am in London this summer. I  learn am learning learning English.

My brother and sister  practises is practising practise basketball every Friday.

The buses sometimes  is arriving arrive arrives late.

James is a student. But he  works work is working this week.

Lions  are living live is living in Africa.

Hurry up. Our train  is waiting is waitting waits at platform 3.

Wait a minute, please. Mr. Jones  talks talking is talking on the phone.

Be quiet. My parents  are watching watch watches TV.

Stop it! What do you think you  do doing are doing ?

Can you tell me where Pete and Cindy  is buying are buying buy this bread?

Jack is six years old, but he  speak speaks is speaking Spanish and French.

Exercise 2. Complete the sentences with the present simple and present continuous tense. I can't hear you! I a shower. (have)

Sam his homework at night. (do)

Look at the boy. He us. (watch)

Our team is in Madrid this week. They part in a contest. (take)

I up very early on weekdays. (get)

My dad is in the garage. He his car. (clean)

Dan a lot of friends. (have)

I can see that you a lot of fun. (have)

My little sister the dishes on Saturdays and Sundays. (dry)

We a week in Italy each year. (spend)

Sarah is so lazy. She never to help her mum. (try)

You again. (cry) What's the problem?

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Present simple and present continuous tense Online exercises with answers, PDF worksheets and grammar rules.

We use the present simple and present continuous to talk about the following actions or situations.

The present simple tense is used to talk about:

a) Repeated actions or habits.
I go to bed before midnight every day.
We never eat junk food.

b) Facts that are always true.
As the Earth moves around the Sun, the Moon orbits the Earth.
Lions live in Africa, while tigers live in Asia.

c) States rather than actions (with stative verbs).
We have a weekend cottage at the seaside.
Derek seems to be really tired.
I like your new dress, Sarah.

The present continuous tense is used to describe:

a) Actions happening at the moment of speaking.
Be quiet, please. I am listening to the news now.
Dan can't answer the phone. He is taking a shower.

b) Temporary situations.
We are staying in Madrid this week.
Tim is working in Mumbai these days.

c) Current trends.
The world is becoming a better place to live as a human.
Home prices are rising because of inflation this year.

The present tenses can also be used to express future:

Present tenses for future

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