English verb tenses: how to use the present simple and continuous (beginner level)
Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2025 4:38 am
If you're just starting to learn English , you've probably come across the dreaded verb tenses. Don't worry; we're here to help. Today we'll talk about the English verb tenses you'll use the most when you're starting out: the present simple and the present continuous . Learning to distinguish between these two will not only help you express yourself better, but it will give you the confidence to start speaking in everyday situations.
So, are you ready to find out when to use the present simple and the present continuous? Let's dive in !
1. What is the Present Simple and when to use it?
The present simple is one of the most basic English verb tenses and is philippines phone number list to express actions that are habitual, universal truths, or facts that don't change. It's the tense you use to talk about things you do regularly or that are always the same.
A) For habits and routines
When we talk about everyday activities or things we do on a regular basis, the present simple is the correct tense. For example, if you want to say that you go to work every day, you could use this sentence:
I go to work every day.
Examples:
She drinks coffee every morning.
We play soccer on Saturdays .
Note that in the third person singular (he, she, it), the verb is modified by adding an -s or -es. For example, She likes pizza .
B) For general facts or truths
The present simple is also used to express facts that are always true or that do not change. If you say Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius, you are talking about a universal truth.
So, are you ready to find out when to use the present simple and the present continuous? Let's dive in !
1. What is the Present Simple and when to use it?
The present simple is one of the most basic English verb tenses and is philippines phone number list to express actions that are habitual, universal truths, or facts that don't change. It's the tense you use to talk about things you do regularly or that are always the same.
A) For habits and routines
When we talk about everyday activities or things we do on a regular basis, the present simple is the correct tense. For example, if you want to say that you go to work every day, you could use this sentence:
I go to work every day.
Examples:
She drinks coffee every morning.
We play soccer on Saturdays .
Note that in the third person singular (he, she, it), the verb is modified by adding an -s or -es. For example, She likes pizza .
B) For general facts or truths
The present simple is also used to express facts that are always true or that do not change. If you say Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius, you are talking about a universal truth.