English Lower Secondary: Simple Present vs. Present Progressive

Why These Two Tenses Get Mixed Up

Two English tenses cause the most confusion in the lower grades: the simple present and the present progressive. The difference is actually simple. Here is a short explanation:

Habit/Fact vs. Right Now

The simple present talks about habits, facts and timetables: something that is true again and again. The present progressive describes what is happening now or around now, a moment that is in progress. If you can add “right now” and it still makes sense, you are probably looking at the present progressive.

“I like …” vs. “I am enjoying …”

Imagine a normal school day. You say: “I go to school by bus.” That is a routine, so it’s the simple present. But today, because your bike has a flat tyre, you say: “I am taking the bus.” That is a temporary situation, so it’s the present progressive. The same works with feelings and states: “I like maths” is a general opinion (simple present). “I am enjoying today’s lesson” focuses on this moment (present progressive).

Forms: 3rd-Person + -s vs. am/is/are + -ing

Spelling matters, too. In the simple present, the third person adds an -s: “She plays.” In the present progressive, you need “am/is/are” plus the -ing form: “She is playing.” Small details like these make your writing neat and your speaking clear. When in doubt, ask yourself whether the sentence describes a habit or an action you can see happening now.

Pro Tip:

Pro tip: Record one minute of yourself every day describing a picture. Say one sentence with a habit and one sentence about what is happening in the picture. You will feel the difference within a week.