Present Simple and Continuous Practice

Complete the sentence with the verb in brackets in the present simple or continuous form.

I can’t believe how quickly your children ________ (grow).

Answer explanation

The correct form is 'are growing' because the sentence implies an ongoing process of growth, which is expressed using the present continuous tense.

Complete the sentence with the verb in brackets in the present simple or continuous form.

Which colour ________ (you / prefer) – this pink or this orange?

Answer explanation

The correct form is 'Which colour do you prefer?' because it uses the present simple tense to ask about a preference between two options, pink and orange.

Complete the sentence with the verb in brackets in the present simple or continuous form.

Maria and Alex ________ (come) home next weekend.

Answer explanation

The correct form is 'are coming' because it indicates a planned future action. The present continuous is used for arrangements, while the present simple is for habitual actions. Thus, 'Maria and Alex are coming home next weekend.'

Complete the sentence with the verb in brackets in the present simple or continuous form.

Ian still ________ (owe) me $100. I lent him the money three months ago.

Answer explanation

'Owe' is a state verbs and is only used in simple tenses. The correct form is 'owes' because it agrees with the singular subject 'Ian'.

Complete the sentence with the verb in brackets in the present simple or continuous form.

Wow! Your English ________ (improve).

Answer explanation

The correct form is 'improving' because the sentence suggests an ongoing action. The present continuous tense is used to indicate that your English is currently in the process of improving.

Complete the sentence with the verb in brackets in the present simple or continuous form.

What ________ (you / do) this evening?

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'are you doing' because it uses the present continuous tense, which is appropriate for asking about plans or activities happening in the near future, like this evening.

Complete the sentence with the verb in brackets in the present simple or continuous form.

Amy ________ (not usually get) home until around seven o’clock.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'does not usually get' to form the negative present simple tense. It indicates that Amy typically arrives home around seven o'clock, but not always.

Complete the sentence with the verb in brackets in the present simple or continuous form.

Paul isn’t playing because he ________ (not really like) football.

Answer explanation

This sentence talks about Paul's attitude to football, using the state verb 'like'. It should therefore be in the present simple.

Complete the sentence with the verb in brackets in the present simple or continuous form.

Mum usually ________ (start) work at nine o’clock, but she’s starting at eight o’clock today because she’s so busy.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'starts' because it matches the present simple tense used for habitual actions. The sentence indicates a regular schedule, so 'starts' is the appropriate form.

Complete the sentence with the verb in brackets in the present simple or continuous form.

Marco ________ (visit) his cousins in Helsinki at the moment.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'is visiting' because it indicates an action currently happening. The phrase 'at the moment' signals present continuous tense, which is formed with 'is' + verb-ing.