Simple Present or Present Progressive?

Some people may get confused when using these two types of verb tenses accurately. Even though people would understand the meaning or use the tense incorrectly, you can see some situations to decide which tense you have to use appropriately.

1. Simple Present

Use the simple present for actions that happen regularly or with a certain frequency. You can also use simple present for facts that you cannot change.

When it happens regularly, you can use the adverbs of frequency (always, usually, often, frequently, sometimes, rarely, seldom, hardly ever, never).

In my country, people always kiss on both cheeks.

I always take the bus to school at 7 am.

Sometimes I drink five cups of water at home.

For facts that cannot change, use the simple present tense.

Samantha comes from Marseille. Marseille is in France.

He has two brothers and one sister.

2. Present Progressive

Use the present progressive tense for actions that are happening now or that are taking place in a longer present time.

For actions that are happening now, you can use these expressions: right now, at the moment. 

Linda is wearing a red coat right now.

Danielle is speaking with that student at the moment.

For actions that are happening in a longer present time, use the present progressive. You can use these expressions: this month, this year, this week, these days, these weeks, nowadays.

Stephen is taking Business Management this semester.

(He is not studying it right now, but during the semester).

Is she studying hard these days?

Source/References: Focus on Grammar 3, Pearson, Fifth Edition.

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