Present simple vs. Present Continuous

A. Complete the rules with present simple or present continuous.

• We use the ______________ to describe permanent situations, ones which won't change.

I work in Paris.

• We use the __________ to describe temporary situations, ones which happen for a short time.

I’m working in Paris.

B. Underline the present simple or the present continuous form of the verb to complete these sentences.

1 I stay / am staying at the Ritz every time I'm in New York. I stay / am staying at the Ritz at the moment.

2 She works / is working at home today. She works / is working at home every day.

3 She often calls / is calling Russia. At the moment, she calls / is calling a customer in Moscow.

4 I don't usually deal / dealing with the paperwork. I deal / I am dealing with all the paperwork while Susan is away.

5 It normally takes / is taking about two months. But this delivery takes / is taking longer than usual.

6 We normally use / are using a London firm. This time, we use / are using a different company.

C. Complete this article with the present simple or the present continuous form of the verbs in brackets.

The Inditex group ________ 1 (own) six fashion chains including Zara. It _______ 2 (have) around 1,500 stores worldwide. It _________ 3 (operate) in 44 countries. Inditex ________4 (employ) 27,000 people and _________ 5 (have) more than 200 fashion designers.

Currently, the fashion designers _____________ 6 (work) on next year's designs. The Inditex group___________ 7 (do) very well at the moment, and it ___________ 8 (try) to become a global fashion leader.

Amancio Ortega, the founder of Inditex, also ___________9 (invest) in property and hotels. Most of this year's investment _________10 (stay) in Spain.

D. Complete these sentences with either the present simple or the present continuous form of the verbs in brackets.

1 We _________ three or four new products every year.

Currently, we _________a new type of air conditioner. (develop)

2 I think our sales figures _________ this May. This is unexpected - normally they in autumn and winter. (improve)

3 It generally __________ only one year to develop a new product, but the FX200 ___ longer because of technical problems. (take)

4 Mrs. Wu _________al l our product presentations. This week, she _________ our next presentation in Vancouver. (organise)

5 This is where we _______ our products. As you can see, Martin __________some cosmetics from our latest range, (test)

6 We ___________ Sonara's laboratory until our new one is ready. Otherwise, we never _________ other people's facilities, (use)

E. Complete the sentences with the correct form (present simple or present continuous) of the verbs: translate employ speak think answer. Use each verb twice.

1 Ana __________ this year's directors' report into Russian.

2 Bertrand _________ the phone this week because our secretary is away.

3 How many people ___________the company ?

4 Can you hold? Mr Souayah _____________ on the other line.

5 Business is so good that we _____________ an extra 200 staff.

6 Our manager___________ we should open a new subsidiary in France.

7 They ____________ of expanding into the new markets of Central Asia .

8 We ___________ all our customers' calls politely and efficiently.

9 We always _____________ al l our company brochures into five languages.

10 I think I can get a very good job in Asia because I ___________Chinese.