Simple present or present continuous tense | CBSE Class 5 English Grammar

Use the simple present tense to talk about facts and general truths. This is the tense form you should use to talk about your abilities, preferences and things that you do every day.

Use the present continuous tense to talk about actions and situations that are going on at the moment of speaking. This tense form is commonly used with the time expressions ‘now’, ‘at the moment’, ‘currently’ etc.

Study the examples given below.

I enjoy listening to classical music. (Here I use the simple present tense because I am talking about my preferences.)

I am listening to music at the moment. (Here I use the present continuous tense because I am talking about something that I am doing at the moment of speaking.)

Complete the following sentences using a present simple or a present continuous tense.

1. I …………………. on my computer at the moment. (work)

2. Shyam …………………… TV. (watch)

3. My daughter ……………….. to watch cartoon shows on TV. (like)

4. My husband ………………… better than I do. (drive)

5. I ………………….. now. I will call you back later. (drive)

6. Susie …………………….. English very well. (speak)

7. Martin …………………… at a bank. (work)

8. Maya ………………… at a public school. (teach)

9. What ………………. you ………………. there? (do)

10. I ………………… my lessons. (learn)

11. I ……………………. breakfast at 8.30. (have)

12. I ………………….. dinner now. (have)

13. My mother ………………….. delicious cookies. (make)

14. ‘Is the report ready yet?’ ‘No, I ………………… on it.’ (work)

15. The children …………………. in the garden. (play)

16. All children …………………. playing. (enjoy)

Answers

1. I am working on my computer at the moment.

2. Shyam is watching TV.

3. My daughter likes to watch cartoon shows on TV.

4. My husband drives better than I do.

5. I am driving now. I will call you back later.

6. Susie speaks English very well.

7. Martin works at a bank.

8. Maya teaches at a public school.

9. What are you doing there?

10. I am learning my lessons.

11. I have breakfast at 8.30.

12. I am having dinner now.

13. My mother makes delicious cookies.

14. ‘Is the report ready yet?’ ‘No, I am working on it.’

15. The children are playing in the garden.

16. All children enjoy playing.