Present Tense
Simple present can generally be used in one of two different ways.
Firstly it can indicate a certain frequency.
The Nobel Peace Prize is presented once a year
Or, to indicate that something is always true.
The sun rises in the East
Water freezes at zero and boils a t 100 degrees centigrade
Present continuous refers to an activity that is going on while another happens or an activity that is going on around another.
I don’t want to interrupt him while he is working
At school I’m learning to build websites
The present continuous tense is formed from the present tense of the verb be and the present participle (-ing form) of a verb:
We use the present continuous tense to talk about the present:
For something that is happening at the moment of speaking:
o I’m just leaving work. I’ll be home in an hour.
o Please be quiet. The children are sleeping.
For something which is happening before and after a given time:
o At eight o’clock we are usually having breakfast.
o When I get home the children are doing their homework.
For something which we think is temporary:
o Michael is at university. He’s studying history.
o I’m working in London for the next two weeks.
For something which is new and contrasts with a previous state:
o These days most people are using email instead of writing letters.
o What sort of clothes are teenagers wearing nowadays? What sort of music are they listening to?
To show that something is changing, growing or developing:
o The children are growing quickly.
o The climate is changing rapidly
o Your English is improving.
For something which happens again and again:
o It’s always raining in London.
o They are always arguing.
o George is great. He’s always laughing.