Present Simple vs Present Continuous

We use the Present Simple to talk about states, routines, habits and customs.

e.g. I usually read a book before I fall asleep.

Keywords for Present Simple: every day, always, usually, often. sometimes, rarely/seldom, never

We use the Present Continuous to talk about things that are happening now, at the time of speaking or around now.

e.g. I am planning my mum’s surprise birthday party which is in two days time.

We can have both tenses in one sentence to express two different situations.

e.g. I usually make a sandwich for lunch but today I’m making a fruit salad.

Keywords for Present Continuous: now, at the moment, right now, at present, today, these days, this week/month/year etc.

Liveworksheets Present simple/Present Continuous

Liveworksheets Present Simple or Present Continuous?

Verbs of Sense ( Ρήματα Αισθήσεως)

We describe our feelings through verbs of sense (feel, taste, look, smell, sound). They don’t go in continuous tenses because they describe a state, not an action. They are followed by an adjective.

e.g. Roses smell lovely.

e.g. This music sounds fantastic!

Στα Αγγλικά εκφράζουμε τα αισθήματα με ρήματα αισθήσεως (feel, taste look, smell, sound). Αυτά τα ρήματα συνήθως δεν μπαίνουν σε continuous χρόνο επειδή περιγράφουν μία κατάσταση και όχι πράξη.