Ask what the sentence means: is it a routine, or an action happening now? Once the meaning is clear, check the verb form. A time expression is a useful clue, but it cannot replace understanding the situation.
Compare the intended meanings
The present simple can describe habits and general facts: Ella walks to school every day. The present continuous can describe an action in progress at the moment of speaking: Ella is walking to school now.
This starting contrast does not cover every use. The continuous can also describe temporary situations around the present. Begin by understanding what the particular task is describing.
Check the subject and the form
In affirmative present-simple sentences, he/she/it usually changes the main verb: reads, watches, goes. Compare I/you/we/they read. Questions, negatives and the verb be have their own patterns.
The present continuous needs am/is/are plus -ing: I am reading; she is reading; they are reading. She reading is incomplete. State verbs such as know and like do not normally take continuous forms, so now does not always mean adding -ing.
Worked example: a routine and today’s journey
These separately written sentences describe one child’s usual journey and what is happening today.
Explain the meaning before filling the gap
Decide which sentence describes a routine and which describes an action happening now. Then supply the complete verb form.
Try it yourself
Complete the sentences for these situations.
- Lily ___ (read) before bed every night.
- Look! Lily ___ (read) a book on the sofa.
- The children ___ (play) in the playground right now.
Show an explained answer
- Reads: this is a nightly routine, and Lily is third-person singular.
- Is reading: Look draws attention to an action happening now; Lily takes is.
- Are playing: this describes a current action, and children is plural.
