Common Mistakes In The Use Of Simple Present And Present Continuous Tense

We use the simple present tense to talk about actions or situations that happen all the time. We also use the simple present to talk about facts, our likes, dislikes, preferences, habits, routines etc.

The present continuous is used to talk about actions or situations that are going on at the moment of speaking.

Fill in the blanks with the simple present or present continuous tense form.

1. My sister ………………………. (work) in Canada so I ………………………. (not get) to see her very often.
2. They ……………………. (wait) for us.
3. I ……………………. (hate) having to wait for people.
4. She …………………… to be a classical dancer. (train)
5. I usually ………………….. (work) from 9 to 5.
6. I ……………………. (not work) on the weekend.
7. ………………………. (you often) work on Sundays?
8. They got married only last week and now they …………………………. (get) divorced.
9. ‘How ………………. (I get) to the post office?’ ‘You …………….. (go) to the end of the street and then ……………. (turn) left.
10. Why ………………… oil float on water?
11. …………………. ice float on water?
12. Vegetarians ……………………. not eat meat or fish at all.
13. He ………………….. not smoke.
14. I …………………. not buy things online.
15. He …………………….. (always tell) crude jokes.
16. She ………………………… (stay) with her parents at the moment.
17. The visitors …………………….. (wait) in the lobby.
18. He …………………… (aspire) to be a writer.
19. He ………………….. (write) short stories.
20. Why …………………… (you not listen) to me?

Answers

1. works, do not get, 2. are waiting, 3. hate, 4. is training, 5.work, 6. do not work, 7. do, 8. are getting, 9. do I get, go, turn, 10. does, 11. does, 12. do, 13. does, 14. do, 15. is always telling, 16. is staying, 17. are waiting, 18. aspires, 19. writes, 20. don’t you listen

Worksheet 2

Write one word in each gap.

1. She ……………………… leaves her home without her mobile phone.
2. Millions of people are …………………… living in poverty.
3. She is acting in a new movie at the ………………………
4. He is unemployed for the time ……………………….
5. I call my parents quite ……………………….
6. I visit my native place ………………….. now and then.
7. She spends …………………… of her time traveling.
8. We meet each other from ……………….. to time.
9. I am learning my lesson ………………….. now.
10. People these ………………….. live stressful lives.

Answers

1. never, 2. still, 3. moment, 4. being, 5. often, 6. every, 7. most, 8. time, 9. right, 10. days