Present actions (actions happening right now, at this moment) are usually expressed using Present Continuous (be + verb + ing) and sometimes using Present Simple.
Present Continuous (be + verb + ing)
1. Use Present Continuous for things happening now, at this time.
Ex:
What are you doing?
I am writing an article.
2. It is also used for actions taking place around now.
Example: ‘I usually go to work by car, but this week I’m taking the bus’ (= At the moment, I’m in my office. I came to work by bus in the morning [and did the same yesterday] and will continue to do so until the end of the week).
3. In addition, the same tense is also used for future activities which have already been arranged.
Example: ‘I’m flying to Paris tomorrow (= I have already booked a taxi for trip to the airport, bought my air tickets, booked a hotel, and made appointments for my visits in Paris).
I am (be) write (verb)-ing an article.
You are (be) write (verb)-ing an article.
He/She is (be) write (verb)-ing an article
We are (be) write (verb)-ing an article.
You are (be) write (verb)-ing an article.
They are (be) write (verb)-ing an article.
Add not after be to form the negation. (I am not writing an article.)
The question in Present Continuous is formed by inversion (Are you writing an article? Yes, I am/No I am not)
Note: Some verbs are not normally used in the present continuous (like, want, have = possession, need). Nobody will say I am needing to talk to you now. You should say I need to talk to you know.
Here’s a list of other common verbs like them: be, hate, like, love, belong, believe, cost, know, recognize, think (different meanings when used in simple and continuous form) and understand.
Simple Present
Use Simple Present for things you do every day, every week, every year etc and for things that are always true.
Ex:
I go to swimming pool every Sunday.
I study English every afternoon.
The Earth goes around the Sun. I never go swimming. (always true)
Note:
Remember the spelling rules for 3rd person singular (-s):
Work > works (add s)
Study > studies (if the word finished in consonant+y then -y become -i and add -es). Please, note that when there is another vowel before ‘y’, the spelling of ‘y’ is not changed to ‘i’ – pay>pays.
Finish >finishes (words finished in sh, s, ch, x; add –es)
Go > goes
Do > does
Have > has
We often use the simple present with adverbs of frequency (always, often, sometimes, usually, hardly ever, never)
Note: Use adverbs of frequency before the main verb but after be.
He never listens to me. Not: He listens never to me.
He is always late. Not: He always is late.
Present Simple is also used with expressions of frequency (every day, once a week, twice a month etc). Expressions of frequency usually go at the end of the sentence. However, when there are ‘too many’ adverbials at the end, as in
‘He goes (1) there (2) at 5 o’clock (3) almost every single day (4) by bus’ ,
It is common to move time/frequency adverbials to the beginning of the sentence:
Almost every single day, he goes there at 5 o’clock by bus.
This is also a good method to focus emphasis on the part that has been moved.
Present simple is also used for certain kind of future actions. If a future action is based on a calendar or timetabled event, we use present simple:
The film begins at 8.00 p.m. (spoken at 2 p.m.)
The train arrives at 7.05 tomorrow.
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