The simple present tense is often confused with the present continuous tense. This slideshow will explain when to use each one.

1. Present Simple vs Present Continuous

2. Present Simple

4. LOOK AT THE FOLLOWING IDIOMS AND COMMON SAYINGS: An apple a day KEEPS the doctor away. Mas vale prevenir que curar. The early bird CATCHES the worm. A quien madruga, Dios le ayuda. The apple DOESN’T FALL far from the tree. De tal palo tal astilla. Barking dogs never BITE. Perro ladrador, poco mordedor. A cat in gloves CATCHES no mice. Gato con guantes no caza ratones. A stitch in time SAVES nine. Más vale prevenir que curar. It never RAINS, but it POURS. Las desgracias nunca vienen solas. Las desgracias nunca vienen solas. The shoemaker's son goes always barefoot. En casa de herrero, cuchara de palo.

6. 1 . GENERAL THINGS and SCIENTIFIC FACTS. The sun SETS in the West. * the sun nevers sets in the east or south or north, but always in the west .

7. 1. GENERAL THINGS and SCIENTIFIC FACTS. The Earth REVOLVES around the Sun.

8. 2. PERMANENT or LONG-LASTING SITUATIONS. He LIVES in a small village.

9. 2. PERMANENT or LONG-LASTING SITUATIONS. He WORKS as a fireman

10. 3. THINGS WHICH HAPPEN REPETEADLY. Regular habits and daily routines. He usually WAKES UP at ten past ten.

11. 3. THINGS WHICH HAPPEN REPETEADLY. Regular habits and daily routines. She GOES hiking every Saturday.

12. 4. ONE ACTION FOLLOWS ANOTHER. They TAKE their bags and LEAVE. (actions in the present taking place one after another –first, then, after that …)

13. 5. TIMETABLES and SCHEDULES. Our course BEGINS next week. The plane DOESN’T LEAVE until 4.22.

14. 6. STATIVE VERBS. After verbs expressing STATES, POSSESSION, SENSES, FEELINGS, EMOTIONS and MENTAL ACTIVITY. When you love someone, that's a state, a fact or emotion, but not an action (like running for example). Whenever you want to express a state, possession, sense or emotions, use the simple form (not the progressive). The following words all belong to this group:

15. 6. STATIVE VERBS. After the following verbs: remain (state) realize (mental activity) see (senses) seem (feeling and emotion) smell (senses) think (mental activity) understand (mental activity) want (feeling and emotion) wish (feeling and emotion) be (state) believe (mental activity) belong (possession) hate (feeling and emotion) hear (senses) like (feeling and emotion) love (feeling and emotion) mean (mental activity) prefer (mental activity)

16. 6. STATIVE VERBS.

17. 6. STATIVE VERBS.

18. 6. STATIVE VERBS.

19. 6. STATIVE VERBS.

20. 6. STATIVE VERBS.

21. 6. STATIVE VERBS.

22. 6. STATIVE VERBS.

23. 6. STATIVE VERBS.

24. 6. STATIVE VERBS.

25. 6. STATIVE VERBS.

26. Present Continuous

27. Present Continuous We form the present continuous with thre present tense of the verb “BE” + ING IS VERB (+ing) ARE AM

29. 1. AT THE TIME OF SPEAKING. She IS READING a book now.

30. 2. TEMPORARY ACTIVITY OR SITUATION. I AM LIVING in the street until I can find a flat.

31. 3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FUTURE. He IS GOING to the cinema tomorrow.

32. Present Simple vs Present Continuous

33. 1. PERMANENT OR TEMPORARY SITUATIONS. She LIVES in a small village. She IS LIVING in the street now until she can find a flat.

34. 1. PERMANENT OR LIMITED IN TIME. He WORKS as a fireman. He IS WORKING as a farmer this summer.

35. 2. IN GENERAL OR RIGHT NOW. He WORKS as a fireman. Now he IS CLIMBING.

36. 3. DAILY ROUTINE or EXCEPTION. He usually GETS UP at ten past ten. Today he IS GETTING UP at quarter past five.