Simple Present or Present Continuous 

The simple present tense and the present continuous tense can be confused by many of the English learners.

Sometimes we want to talk about the place where we live and we can say: I'm living in Turkey or I live in Turkey. Which one is correct? Should we use the simple present tense or the present continuous in this situation? 

There are differences between the simple present and the present continuous. Let's learn when to use the simple present and the present continuous.

1. Things happen all the time and things happening now.

We use the simple present tense for things that happen all the time or regularly such as habits and routines. 

We use the present continuous tense for things that is happening now, at the moment of speaking or around now.

See the examples:

• Kathy sleeps ten hours every day. vs. Kathy is sleeping now.
• Harry usually takes shower in the morning. vs. Harry is taking shower.
• It snows here a lot in the winter. vs. Look! It's snowing.

2.Permanent and Temporary Situations

For permanent situations that last long without a change, we use the simple present tense.

For temporary situations that last only for some time and can change after some time, we use the present continuous tense.

See the examples:

• She works in a bookshop. vs. She's working at the exhibition centre this weekend.
• I take the bus to work every morning. vs. I'm walking to work these days.
• We usually swim in the pool after school. vs. Nowadays, we're playing golf after school.

3.Timetables/Schedules and Future Arrangements

We use the simple present tense for timetables(bus,train,etc.) and schedules(flights,classes,etc.)

We use the present continuous tense for future arrangements and definite plans.

See the examples:

• The Physics class starts at 1 p.m. vs. We're going to a jazz concert this weekend.
• The bus leaves every 15 minutes. vs. I'm leaving for Sydney at 5:00 tomorrow.

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