PAST SIMPLE VS. PAST CONTINUOUS

Present continuous (I am doing)


We use the continuous for things happening at or around the time of speaking.
The action is not complete.

• The water is boiling. Can you turn it off?
• Listen to those people. What language are they speaking?
• Let’s go out. It isn’t raining now.
• ‘I’m busy.’ ‘What are you doing?’
• I’m getting hungry. Let’s go and eat.
• Kate wants to work in Italy, so she’s learning Italian.
• The population of the world is increasing very fast.

We use the continuous for temporary situations:

• I’m living with some friends until I find a place of my own.
• A: You’re working hard today.
• B: Yes, I have a lot to do.

Present simple (I do)

We use the simple for things in general or things that happen repeatedly.

• Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
• Excuse me, do you speak English?
• It doesn’t rain very much in summer.
• What do you usually do at weekends?
• I always get hungry in the afternoon.
• Most people learn to swim when they are children.
• Every day the population of the world increases by about 200,000 people.

We use the simple for permanent situations:

• My parents live in London. They have lived there all their lives.
• John isn’t lazy. He works hard most of the time.