Grammar: Present Tenses
Present Simple vs Present Progressive
A significant difference between these two tenses is we use the simple present tense for things that are permanent or are in general and the present progressive tense for things that may change or are temporary.
We use the present simple to talk about routines – what you do every day or every week. We use the present continuous to talk about things you are doing now.
For the present simple, add ‘s’ or ‘es’ for he/she/it. Make the negative with ‘don’t’ or ‘doesn’t’. For the present continuous, use the verb ‘to be’ and ‘-ing’. Add ‘not’ to make the negative.
Another difference is that there are some verbs in English that we don't use in the progressive tense. These include: Belong - Cost - Hate - Have (possession) - Hear - Know - Like - Love - Need - Own - Remember - Seem - Smell - Understand - Want etc.
