The present

Simple vs. continuous

We use the present simple to talk about repeated actions or permanent situations in the present:

I always travel to work by car.

I live in Madrid. I sometimes play football on Sundays.

We use the present continuous to talk about actions happening now or around the present time:

I’m learning English at the moment.

I live in Madrid, but I’m staying in Barcelona this week.

Some verbs such as believe, know, love are states, not actions. State verbs can normally only be used in the simple form (I love, not I’m loving).

State verbs: want, like, love, hate, prefer, know, realise, understand, believe, remember, seem, suppose, mean...

Some verbs can be action or state verbs, with a change in meaning:

I think you need to relax more. (= I believe, in my opinion)

I see that you are very tired. (= my observation)

She is stupid. (= her general character)

What are you thinking about? (think = ‘use your brain’)

‘Where is Anne?’ ‘I’m seeing her right now.’ (= ‘I’m meeting her’)

She is being stupid. (= ‘she is behaving in this way right now’)

A: What do you do?

B: I’m a salesman. I live and work in Rome.

A: Interesting. So, what are you doing here in London?

B: I’m just visiting. I love this city.

We often use the present continuous with always to talk about something that happens again and again.

The meaning is like the present simple, but it usually describes a habit that is irritating.

She’s always talking about people behind their backs.

He’s always arriving late.

I’m always losing my keys!

We can also use the present continuous with always to emphasise other repeated actions and behaviour.

We’re always looking for new employees. (= We often look for new employees)

I’m always reading something. (= I read very often)

Joe is a very generous person. He’s always lending his friends money. (= he lends money to his friends very often)

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