Grammar summary
Scroll sideways to see the full table.
Choose the tense by meaning, not only by a clue word.
Present Continuous = am/is/are + verb-ing. Present Simple: she plays / they play.
01 Mix both tenses
Complete each context with the correct verb form.
Hint: Present Simple describes habits and routines. Use the base form except with he, she or it, which takes -s or -es.
Hint: Present Continuous describes an action in progress: subject + am/is/are + verb-ing.
Hint: With he/she/it, use the third-person Present Simple form; after does/doesn't, use the base verb.
Hint: Present Continuous describes an action in progress: subject + am/is/are + verb-ing.
Hint: Present Simple describes habits and routines. Use the base form except with he, she or it, which takes -s or -es.
02 Repair the mistake
Correct the verb phrase only.
Hint: Present Simple describes habits and routines. Use the base form except with he, she or it, which takes -s or -es.
Hint: With he/she/it, use the third-person Present Simple form; after does/doesn't, use the base verb.
Hint: Present Continuous describes an action in progress: subject + am/is/are + verb-ing.
Hint: Use don't/doesn't + base verb for a routine; use am/is/are + not + -ing for an action happening now.
Hint: Present Continuous describes an action in progress: subject + am/is/are + verb-ing.
03 Think about meaning
Choose the form that makes sense.
Hint: Like, know and want normally describe states: use Present Simple for them at this level. Use Present Continuous for actions in progress.
Hint: Present Continuous describes an action in progress: subject + am/is/are + verb-ing.
Hint: Present Simple describes habits and routines. Use the base form except with he, she or it, which takes -s or -es.
Hint: Present Continuous describes an action in progress: subject + am/is/are + verb-ing.
Hint: Present Simple describes habits and routines. Use the base form except with he, she or it, which takes -s or -es.
Grammar summary
Scroll sideways to see the full table.
After does/doesn't, the verb is in the base form: Does she play?
State verbs such as like and know usually take Present Simple.
04 Build the right question
Write the words in brackets in correct order.
Example: Does she work every day? / Is she working now?
Hint: Ask about a routine with Do/Does + subject + base verb. Ask about now with Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing.
Hint: Ask about a routine with Do/Does + subject + base verb. Ask about now with Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing.
Hint: Ask about a routine with Do/Does + subject + base verb. Ask about now with Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing.
Hint: Ask about a routine with Do/Does + subject + base verb. Ask about now with Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing.
Hint: Ask about a routine with Do/Does + subject + base verb. Ask about now with Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing.
05 A short conversation
Complete each gap with the correct phrase.
Hint: Ask about a routine with Do/Does + subject + base verb. Ask about now with Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing.
Hint: Present Continuous describes an action in progress: subject + am/is/are + verb-ing.
Hint: Ask about a routine with Do/Does + subject + base verb. Ask about now with Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing.
Hint: Ask about a routine with Do/Does + subject + base verb. Ask about now with Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing.
Hint: Like, know and want normally describe states: use Present Simple for them at this level. Use Present Continuous for actions in progress.
06 Final contrast
Complete with one accurate verb form.
Hint: Present Simple describes habits and routines. Use the base form except with he, she or it, which takes -s or -es.
Hint: Present Continuous describes an action in progress: subject + am/is/are + verb-ing.
Hint: Ask about a routine with Do/Does + subject + base verb. Ask about now with Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing.
Hint: Ask about a routine with Do/Does + subject + base verb. Ask about now with Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing.
Hint: Present Continuous describes an action in progress: subject + am/is/are + verb-ing.