Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 3 · B1

Present continuous and present simple 1 (I am doing and I do)

The present continuous is for things in progress around now and for temporary situations. The present simple is for things in general, repeated actions and permanent situations. This unit also covers the difference between I always do and I'm always doing.

Start the lesson

13Steps · about 28 minutes

In this lesson

Compare: I am doing and I doA8 screens of questions
I always do and I'm always doingB1 screen of questions

Point A of 2

Compare: I am doing and I do

Present continuous (I am doing) Present simple (I do)
Things happening at or around the time of speaking. The action is not complete. Things in general, or things that happen repeatedly.
The kettle's boiling. Can you get it? Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
Listen to them. What are they singing? Do you sing in a choir?
We can go out. It isn't snowing now. It doesn't snow much in Cardiff.
"I'm busy." "What are you doing?" What do you usually do on Fridays?
I'm getting thirsty. Is there any squash? I always get thirsty after a run.
Ravi wants to work in Germany, so he's learning German. Most children learn to read at school.
House prices are rising very quickly. House prices rise when there are not enough houses.

The continuous is also used for temporary situations, things that continue for a short time. The simple is used for permanent situations, things that continue for a long time.

Temporary Permanent
I'm living at my sister's until my flat is ready. My grandparents live in Bridlington. They have lived there for fifty years.
"You're working hard today." "Yes, I've got a deadline." Gill isn't lazy. She works hard most of the time.
  • The kettle's boiling. Can you get it?
  • Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
  • I'm living at my sister's until my flat is ready.
  • My grandparents live in Bridlington.

Point A · Exercise 3.1 · part 1 of 3

Look at the verb in capitals. If it is right, write OK. If it is wrong, write the correct form.

  1. Example

    Ice MELTS above 0 degrees Celsius.

    OK

    AnswerIce melts above 0 degrees Celsius.

  2. Example

    How often ARE YOU PLAYING squash?

    do you play

    AnswerHow often do you play squash?

  3. Hannah LOOKS for a new flat, but she hasn't found one yet.

  4. My dad IS RINGING me every Sunday evening.

  5. The sun SETS in the west.

  6. Can you hear that music next door? What DO THEY PLAY?

Point A · Exercise 3.1 · part 2 of 3

Look at the verb in capitals. If it is right, write OK. If it is wrong, write the correct form.

  1. What DO YOU DO on Sunday afternoons?

  2. Owen is a vegan. He DOESN'T DRINK milk.

  3. We should head home. It GETS dark.

  4. "Tea's ready!" "OK, I COME."

Point A · Exercise 3.1 · part 3 of 3

Look at the verb in capitals. If it is right, write OK. If it is wrong, write the correct form.

  1. Jodie is very reliable. She's ALWAYS PAYING her rent on time.

  2. Those two can't share a car. They're ALWAYS FIGHTING about the radio.

Point A · Exercise 3.2 · part 1 of 2

Put the verb into the correct form, present continuous or present simple. Each pair uses the same verb twice.

  1. Example

    I usually get (I / usually / get) cold in this office.

    AnswerI usually get cold in this office.

  2. Example

    I'm getting (I / get) cold. Can we go inside now?

    AnswerI'm getting cold. Can we go inside now?

  3. " (you / use) the laptop?" "No, you can have it."

  4. " (you / use) the laptop much?" "No, hardly ever."

  5. The River Ouse (flow) through York.

  6. The river (flow) very high today because of all the rain.

Point A · Exercise 3.2 · part 2 of 2

Put the verb into the correct form, present continuous or present simple. Each pair uses the same verb twice.

  1. I'm not very musical. (I / not / play) any instruments.

  2. What (you / usually / do) on bank holidays?

  3. Dev is in Glasgow this week. (He / stay) with his aunt.

  4. (He / always / stay) with her when he's in Glasgow.

Point A · Exercise 3.3 · part 1 of 3

Put the verb into the correct form, present continuous or present simple.

  1. Example

    Why is everybody standing outside? What's happening (What / happen)?

    AnswerWhy is everybody standing outside? What's happening?

  2. Tariq is very good at maths. (He / solve) most puzzles in his head.

  3. Hurry up! (The taxi / wait) outside.

  4. I've never seen this word before. How (you / say) it?

  5. Leanne (not / drive) this week. Her car is at the garage.

Point A · Exercise 3.3 · part 2 of 3

Put the verb into the correct form, present continuous or present simple.

  1. I think my cooking (improve). Nobody complained last time.

  2. Mark (live) in Barnsley. He was born there and has no plans to move.

  3. Can we sit down for a minute? (My feet / start) to hurt.

  4. Ruth and Ian are in Cornwall at the moment. (They / stay) in a caravan.

Point A · Exercise 3.3 · part 3 of 3

Put the verb into the correct form, present continuous or present simple.

  1. "What (your mum / do)?" "She's a midwife."

  2. The bus was packed this morning. Normally (it / not / get) so busy.

  3. (I / learn) to swim this summer. My cousin (teach) me at the local baths.

Point B of 2

I always do and I'm always doing

I always do something means I do it every time.

I'm always doing something means I do it too often, or more often than is normal. The speaker is usually complaining, and the listener has usually heard the complaint before.

  • I always walk to work. (not I'm always walking)
  • I've left my glasses on the bus again. I'm always leaving them somewhere.
  • Craig is never happy with anything. He's always moaning. (= he moans too much)
  • You're always checking your phone. Is there nothing else to look at?

Point B · Exercise 3.4

Finish B's sentences. Use always -ing and the words in brackets.

  1. Example

    A: I've forgotten my password again. B: Not again! (you / always / forget / your password)

    You're always forgetting your password.

    AnswerNot again! You're always forgetting your password.

  2. A: The boiler has stopped working again. B: That boiler is useless. (it / always / break down)

  3. A: You've left the back door unlocked again. B: Oh no, not again! (I / always / leave / it unlocked)

  4. A: Oh, I've lost my umbrella again. B: Typical! (you / always / lose / your umbrella)

Lesson 3 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: Present continuous and present simple 2 (I am doing and I do)Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. Compare: I am doing and I do–Not checkedB. I always do and I'm always doing–Not checked