Present Simple vs Present Continuous: The Real Difference

These two cause constant errors.

Present simple = habit or fact

"I work in Mumbai." (regular) "The sun rises in the east." (fact)

Present continuous = now

"I am working now." (at this moment) "She is eating." (right now)

The trap

Wrong: "I am working in Mumbai" (if it is your permanent job). Right: "I work in Mumbai."

With "always"

"I always eat at 9" (simple). "I am always losing my keys" (continuous = annoyance).

Test

If it happens generally, use simple. If it is happening this second, use continuous.

Practice

Write 5 habit sentences and 5 now sentences. Speak them on SpeakNow for live checks.