How do I choose between the present simple and the present continuous?

The present simple is for habits, facts and timetables (every day, usually, never). The present continuous is for what is happening right now or temporarily (now, Look!, at the moment). The same verb can take either tense; the difference is habitual versus this moment.

Why are know, like and believe not used in the continuous form?

They are state verbs: they describe a mental or sensory state that simply exists rather than an action that starts and stops, so they normally stay in the present simple: I know, She likes, He believes.

S1 English: Present Simple and Present Continuous (Intermediate, 10 Questions)

2026-11-07

Tutor Prep Guide · S1 English

An intermediate set separating state verbs (know, believe, like) from action verbs, with the present continuous spelling rules (run doubling its n), the choice between now, at the moment and these days, and correct question order.

Quick answer Answers in order: knows, do not believe, is running, are studying, boils, is wearing, do not like, Are … listening, forgets, leaves. A state verb stays in the present simple even next to now.

01 Paper details (check answers afterwards)

Item	Detail
Questions	10 questions
Suggested time	about 35 minutes
Difficulty mix	Intermediate 10
Chapter	Chapter: S1 English: Present Simple and Present Continuous
Level	S1

02 Questions (10 items)

IntermediateHe ______ (know) the answer to that question.
IntermediateI ______ (not / believe) that story.
IntermediateShe ______ (run) in the park at the moment.
IntermediateThey ______ (study) for the test these days.
IntermediateWater ______ (boil) at 100 degrees Celsius.
IntermediateLook at Tom! He ______ (wear) a red jacket today.
IntermediateMy parents ______ (not / like) spicy food.
Intermediate______ you ______ (listen) to me now?
IntermediateHe never ______ (forget) to lock the door.
IntermediateThe train ______ (leave) at 7:30 every morning.

03 Answers and one-line notes

#	Answer	One-line note
1	knows	Know is a state verb and is not used in the continuous form; with he it takes -s.
2	do not believe	Believe describes a state of mind, so the present simple negative do not believe is used.
3	is running	At the moment means right now, and run doubles its final n before -ing, giving is running.
4	are studying	These days points to a temporary period, so the present continuous is used and study simply takes -ing.
5	boils	A scientific fact always takes the present simple, whatever is happening now.
6	is wearing	Today marks a temporary situation that differs from the usual, so the present continuous fits.
7	do not like	Like is a state verb, so the present simple negative with do not is used for the plural subject.
8	Are … listening	Now calls for the present continuous question, so Are comes first and listen takes -ing.
9	forgets	Never describes a habit and takes the present simple; with he, forget becomes forgets.
10	leaves	A timetable or schedule is expressed in the present simple, so leave becomes leaves with this subject.

04 What to do after marking

After marking, redo only the wrong items and write down which step went wrong (formula, unit, or misread number).
Repeat the same item two days later; move to the next paper only when both attempts are correct.
Parents only need the answer and note columns; there is no need to explain every item.

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