Grammar Focus

Present Simple & Present Continuous

Present Simple (Απλός Ενεστώτας) is used for routines, habits and facts. Present Continuous (Ενεστώτας Διαρκείας) is used for actions happening now or temporary situations.

I play football every Monday. I am playing football now.

1. Present Simple (Απλός Ενεστώτας)

📘 Theory (Θεωρία)

We use the Present Simple for things that are generally true or happen regularly.

  • Routines / habits (ρουτίνες / συνήθειες): I wake up at 7 o’clock.
  • Facts (γεγονότα / γενικές αλήθειες): Water boils at 100°C.
  • Timetables (προγράμματα): The lesson starts at 9.

🧩 Form (Σχηματισμός)

TypeStructureExample
Affirmative (Κατάφαση)Subject + verb / verb-sI play. / She plays.
Negative (Άρνηση)don’t / doesn’t + base verbThey don’t play. / He doesn’t play.
Question (Ερώτηση)Do / Does + subject + base verb?Do you play? / Does she play?

Remember: with he / she / it, add -s: He plays. But after doesn’t / does, use the base verb: Does she play?

✏️ -s spelling rules

  • play → plays
  • go → goes
  • watch → watches
  • study → studies

📌 Time expressions

always, usually, often, sometimes, never, every day, on Mondays

✅ Examples (Παραδείγματα)

  • I walk to school every day. → Πηγαίνω στο σχολείο με τα πόδια κάθε μέρα.
  • She likes music. → Της αρέσει η μουσική.
  • They don’t watch TV in the morning. → Δεν βλέπουν τηλεόραση το πρωί.
  • Does he play tennis? → Παίζει τένις;

📝 Exercises – Present Simple

A. Complete with the Present Simple.

  1. She __________ (go) to school every day.
  2. They __________ (play) football on Saturdays.
  3. He __________ (watch) cartoons after school.
  4. I __________ (not/like) coffee.

B. Make questions.

  1. you / speak / English? → __________________________
  2. she / like / pizza? → __________________________

2. Present Continuous (Ενεστώτας Διαρκείας)

📘 Theory (Θεωρία)

We use the Present Continuous for actions happening now or around now.

  • Now (τώρα): I am reading now.
  • Around now / temporary situation (προσωρινή κατάσταση): She is learning French this year.
  • Changing situations (αλλαγές): The weather is getting colder.

🧩 Form (Σχηματισμός)

TypeStructureExample
Affirmative (Κατάφαση)am / is / are + verb-ingI am playing. / They are reading.
Negative (Άρνηση)am / is / are not + verb-ingHe isn’t sleeping.
Question (Ερώτηση)Am / Is / Are + subject + verb-ing?Are you listening?

✏️ -ing spelling rules

  • play → playing
  • make → making
  • run → running
  • lie → lying

📌 Time expressions

now, right now, at the moment, today, this week, these days

✅ Examples (Παραδείγματα)

  • I am doing my homework now. → Κάνω την εργασία μου τώρα.
  • They are playing in the garden. → Παίζουν στον κήπο.
  • She isn’t listening to music. → Δεν ακούει μουσική.
  • Are you watching TV? → Βλέπεις τηλεόραση;

📝 Exercises – Present Continuous

A. Complete with am/is/are + verb-ing.

  1. I __________ (read) a book now.
  2. She __________ (cook) dinner.
  3. They __________ (play) basketball.
  4. We __________ (not/watch) TV.

B. Make questions.

  1. you / study / now? → __________________________
  2. he / sleep / at the moment? → __________________________

3. Present Simple or Present Continuous?

Present Simple

routines, habits, facts

I usually walk to school.

Present Continuous

now, temporary actions

I am walking to school now.

📝 Mixed Practice

A. Choose the correct tense.

  1. She goes / is going to school every day.
  2. Look! The dog runs / is running.
  3. We don’t watch / aren’t watching TV at the moment.
  4. He usually plays / is playing tennis on Sundays.

B. Complete the sentences.

  1. Every morning I __________________________.
  2. Right now I __________________________.
  3. My best friend usually __________________________.
✅ Show answers

Present Simple

  1. goes
  2. play
  3. watches
  4. don’t like
  1. Do you speak English?
  2. Does she like pizza?

Present Continuous

  1. am reading
  2. is cooking
  3. are playing
  4. aren’t watching
  1. Are you studying now?
  2. Is he sleeping at the moment?

Mixed Practice

  1. goes
  2. is running
  3. aren’t watching
  4. plays

Sample answers: Every morning I brush my teeth. Right now I am studying English. My best friend usually plays football.

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