The present simple tense is used to describe routines and universal truths, and with adverbs of frequency. The present continuous tense describes actions happening now or plans for the immediate future. When forming sentences in the present simple, use the correct form of to be (am, is, are) plus the subject and verb. For the present continuous, use the subject plus am/is/are plus the verb plus -ing. Questions are formed with do/does plus the subject and verb for the present simple, and am/is/are plus the subject and verb plus -ing for the present continuous.

1. Present simple Present Continuous
USE: USE:
- Routines. Ex: I get up every day at eight o’clock - Immediate future. Ex: I’m flying to NYC
- Universal truths. Ex: Water boils at 100ºC (I’ve got the tickets)
- Adverbs of frequency: always, usually, often, hardly ever, never - Expressions: at the moment, now, this
- Expressions: on Mondays, every day, etc. week, tomorrow, today, tonight
TO BE OTHER VERBS PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I am + S + VERB (he, she, it + S) + …
you are + S + am/is/are + Ving…
Ex: My sister plays football.
he is Ex: My sister is doing her homework now.
she is
it is - S + DON’T/DOESN’T + V …
we are - S + ‘m not/ isn’t/ aren’t + Ving…
you are Ex: My sister doesn’t play football.
they are Ex: My sister isn’t doing her homework now.
? DO/DOES + S + VERB + … ?
+ S + am/is/are + … ? Am/Is/Are + S + Ving … ?
Ex: Does my sister play football?
Ex: My sister is at home. Ex: Is my sister doing her homework now?
Yes, she does /// No, she doesn’t
Yes, she is /// No, she isn't
- S + ‘m not/ isn’t/ aren’t +… ADVERBS OF FREQUENCY
Ex: My sister isn’t at home. SPELLING
After TO BE:
watches (-es after sibilant)
Ex: I’m always happy
goes (-es after -o)
? Am/Is/Are + S + … ? hurries (-y to -ie after consonant)
Before OTHER VERBS:
Ex: Is my sister at home? sitting (CVCx2)
Ex: I usually go cycling.
writing (leave out one -e at the end)
Yes, she is /// No, she isn't lying (change -ie to -y)