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Here is the entry for Present Simple vs Present Continuous. It is highlighted below.

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What it is

Two present tenses that answer different questions. The Present Simple answers 'What is always / usually true?'. The Present Continuous answers 'What is happening now, or temporarily these days?'. Strong answers mix both.

Form

Type	Pattern	Model sentence
Positive (Simple)	subject + verb (+ -s for he/she/it)	She cycles to work every morning.subject + verb (+ -s for he/she/it)
Negative (Simple)	subject + don't / doesn't + verb	They don't work at weekends.subject + don't / doesn't + verb
Question (Simple)	Do / Does + subject + verb?	Does he live near the station?Do / Does + subject + verb?
Short answer (Simple)	Yes, he does. / No, he doesn't.	— Does he drive? — Yes, he does.Yes, he does. / No, he doesn't.
Positive (Continuous)	subject + am / is / are + verb-ing	I'm staying with my cousin this month.subject + am / is / are + verb-ing
Negative (Continuous)	subject + am / is / are + not + verb-ing	We aren't taking the bus today.subject + am / is / are + not + verb-ing
Question (Continuous)	Am / Is / Are + subject + verb-ing?	Are you working on a new project?Am / Is / Are + subject + verb-ing?
Short answer (Continuous)	Yes, I am. / No, I'm not.	— Are you waiting? — Yes, I am.Yes, I am. / No, I'm not.

Note: Present Simple adds -s in he/she/it. Present Continuous = be + verb-ing.

Use it when

You describe a routine, timetable or permanent fact → Present Simple.
You describe something in progress right now, or a temporary situation this week / this term → Present Continuous.
You want to show range in one answer: state the routine, then contrast it with what is happening at the moment.
You talk about feelings, opinions, senses and possession (know, believe, prefer, own) → Present Simple, even about now.

Examples

My brother teaches history, but this term he's covering geography as well.
The shop opens at nine, so we're waiting outside until then.
I don't usually cook, though I'm learning a few recipes at the moment.
She owns two bikes. (NOT: She is owning two bikes.)

Watch out

I'm knowing the answer.→I know the answer.
State verbs (know, understand, believe, want, like) are not normally used in continuous forms.
He don't like coffee.→He doesn't like coffee.
He / she / it takes doesn't, and the main verb stays in the base form.
Where you are going?→Where are you going?
In questions the auxiliary (am/is/are) comes before the subject.
Every day I am walking to school.→Every day I walk to school.
'Every day' signals a routine, so the Present Simple is needed.

Remember

Time words steer the tense: usually / every / never → Simple; now / at the moment / this week → Continuous.
After do / does the main verb loses its -s: Does she work? (NOT works).
One clear contrast — routine plus right now — instantly widens your range.

Quick check

1. These days I ____ (study) Italian online twice a week.
Answer: am studying
2. Tom usually ____ (take) the bus, but this week he's cycling.
Answer: takes
3. ____ your sister ____ (live) with you at the moment?
Answer: Is / living
4. I ____ (not / believe) that story.
Answer: don't believe

Lessons1

Language, when you need it

Present Simple vs Present ContinuousPresent Simple = habits and permanent facts. Present Continuous = happening now or around now. State verbs (know, like, want) stay Simple.

Past Simple vs Past ContinuousPast Continuous = the longer background action. Past Simple = the shorter completed event that interrupts it or moves the story on.

Present Perfect (since / for / just / yet / already)Present Perfect links a past action to now. 'for' + length of time, 'since' + starting point, 'just / already' before the main verb, 'yet' at the end of questions and negatives.

Modals of Possibility & Obligationmust / have to = obligation · should = advice · might / could / may = possibility · mustn't = prohibited · don't have to = not necessary.

Conditionals (0 / 1st / 2nd)Zero: if + present, present (facts). First: if + present, will (real future). Second: if + past, would (imaginary).

Passive Voicebe + past participle. Use it when the action or the thing it happens to matters more than the person who did it.

PEEL & Linkers (Writing organisation)PEEL = Point · Explain · Example · Link back. Join the steps with because, so, however, in addition, for example and finally.

Dependent Prepositions & Word partnersMany verbs and adjectives lock to one preposition (depend ON, good AT, interested IN). Learn them as chunks, not as single words.

Relative Clauses (who / that / which / where)Add information to a noun: who (people) · which / that (things) · where (places). The relative pronoun replaces the subject or object — don't repeat it.

Reference Words (it / this / that / one / so)Small words point back to something already mentioned. Always ask: what exactly does 'it', 'this' or 'one' replace?

Speculating (looks like / seems / might be)When you describe a photo, don't guess as fact. Use: It looks like… · She seems… · They might / could be… · Maybe / Perhaps…

Polite Requests, Offers & SuggestionsRequests: Could you…? / Would you mind…? · Offers: Shall I…? / Would you like me to…? · Suggestions: Why don't we…? / How about + -ing?

Giving, Extending & Challenging OpinionsOpinion + reason + example. Agree: 'That's a good point, and…' · Disagree politely: 'I see what you mean, but…' · Extend: 'Also… / Another thing is…'

Numbers, Times, Dates & PricesTimes: half past seven / quarter to eight. Prices: £4.50 = 'four pounds fifty'. Dates: 'the third of May' or 'May the third'. Say -teen with stress on the end, -ty with stress at the front.

Prepositions of Place & Describing PositionPosition: in / on / at, in front of, behind, next to, between, on the left / right, in the background. Describe a picture from big to small: whole scene → people → details.

Word Families & Word FormationBefore a gap, ask what family the missing word belongs to: noun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition or a fixed phrase. Endings give it away: -tion / -ment (noun), -ful / -ous (adjective), -ly (adverb).

Accuracy Slips & Final ProofreadingCheck five things in this order: verb tense, third-person -s, plural -s, articles (a / the), prepositions. Two minutes of checking wins more marks than two extra sentences.

Feelings & Attitude Language-ed adjectives describe how someone feels (bored); -ing adjectives describe the cause (boring). Attitude also shows in verbs (can't stand, don't mind) and adverbs (luckily, unfortunately).

Paraphrasing & RewordingExam options almost never repeat the words of the text. Match the meaning, not the words: 'not allowed' = 'you mustn't'; 'free' = 'no charge'; 'a lot of people' = 'popular'.