Simple for Always, Continuous for Now

When should we use the present simple and the present continuous tenses?

Present Simple

Use the present simple tense for actions that are habitual or repeating. When we talk about something we always do, we use this tense.

Elena loves English.
I read English books every evening.
I go to English class on Tuesday.

Present Continuous

Use the present continuous (present progressive) for anything that is happening right now at this moment.
To form the present continuous use am, are and is with the -ing form of the verb (present participle).

I am waiting for a bus.
She is talking on the phone.
They are all playing baseball in the park.

You can use these time expressions with this tense:

Now - I’m watching TV now.
At the moment - I’m reading a good book at the moment.
These days - It’s snowing a lot these days.
Today - I’m working from home today.

Now decide which tense is needed in these sentences:

• 1 - She usually drives to work, but today she is ___ her bike.
  
  riding
  ride
  
  
• 2 - I ___ for a way to solve this problem at the moment.
  
  look
  am looking
  
  
• 3 - I try to ___ English whenever I go abroad.
  
  speaking
  speak
  
  
• 4 - We are not ___ breakfast now.
  
  having
  have
  
  
• 5 - He has a microwave but he never __ it.
  
  uses
  is using
  
  
• 6 - What time do you usually ___ up?
  
  wake
  waking
  
  
• 7 - She ___ her car on the weekend.
  
  washes
  washing
  
  
• 8 - What are you ___?
  
  doing
  do
  
  
• 9 - She ___ to become a pilot.
  
  is studying
  study
  
  
• 10 - I hardly ever ___ letters anymore.
  
  write
  writing