Guide to the Simple Present and Present Continuous – TOEIC® Preparation

Correctly distinguishing between the Simple Present and the Present Continuous in English is a fundamental skill, especially when taking the TOEIC®.

In Part 5 of the exam, you will frequently need to choose between these two verb tenses to complete the given sentences.

1. Fundamental Distinctions

A. Habits vs. Actions in Progress

Michael works in a downtown office. He commutes by train and attends meetings regularly.

Here we are referring to Michael's usual activities in his professional life. The term regularly signals an established routine.

At this very moment, Michael is reviewing the quarterly report. He is taking notes while sitting in the conference room.

We are describing the specific actions Michael is currently engaged in (the expression at this very moment clearly indicates this).

B. Usual Function vs. Temporary Project

He contributes articles to an international business journal. These publications analyze market trends and economic developments.

We are talking about a general function he performs regularly; this is his current professional activity.

At the moment, he is working on a comprehensive report about sustainable investment strategies for a special quarterly publication.

We are mentioning a specific project currently under development; this is his current assignment.

C. General Truths vs. Progressive Evolutions

Typically, rising inflation leads to decreased consumer spending.

This is a general economic truth that remains valid under all circumstances (the word typically indicates this universality).

Right now, the ongoing inflation is leading to a substantial drop in retail sales.

The expression right now reveals that this is a gradual process observable currently, extending over several weeks.

D. Lasting States vs. Provisional Circumstances

Thomas supervises the marketing team.

This is his permanent role, his daily responsibility within the company.

This month, I am supervising the marketing team while Thomas is away on a training program.

The indicators this month and while reveal that the situation is temporary and limited in time.

2. Stative Verbs

Certain verbs express mental, emotional, or perceptual states rather than observable actions.

Generally, these verbs are never used in the continuous form (a stative verb does not convey a dynamic action).

2.1. Verbs of Cognition and Thought

• believe (croire)
• doubt (douter)
• guess (deviner)
• imagine (imaginer)
• know (savoir)
• realize (réaliser)
• suppose (supposer)
• understand (comprendre)
• agree (être d'accord)
• advise (conseiller)
• forget (oublier)
• mean (signifier)
• recognize (reconnaître)
• remember (se souvenir)
• think (penser)

Illustrations

• I believe your analysis is correct.
• Do you think we should proceed with this strategy?

Special Cases

🚧 What are you thinking about? I'm thinking about the upcoming presentation.

In this example, the verb "think" appears in the Present Continuous. Usually, "think" is a stative verb and rejects the progressive form.

However, an exception exists when "think" has an active meaning (I am actively reflecting on something): in this specific context, the continuous form becomes acceptable.

2.2. Verbs of Possession

• belong to (appartenir à)
• have (in the sense of "possess")
• own (posséder)
• possess (posséder)

Illustrations

• The company now owns three manufacturing facilities overseas.
• This antique watch belongs to my grandfather's collection.
• The museum has an impressive collection of Renaissance paintings.

Special Cases

If have is immediately followed by a noun and expresses a specific activity, it can be used in the present continuous.

Why isn't he responding? He is having lunch with a client.

2.3. Verbs of Emotion and Preference

• dislike (ne pas aimer)
• can't stand (ne pas supporter)
• hate (détester)
• like (aimer)
• prefer (préférer)
• love (adorer)
• want (vouloir)
• care (se soucier)
• feel (ressentir)
• don't mind (ne pas déranger)
• regret (regretter)
• wish (souhaiter)

Illustrations

• She prefers tea to coffee (this is a stable preference; you cannot say "I am preferring this tea right now." It is a fixed state)
• He likes classical music

Special Cases

• If one of these verbs precedes another verb, the second verb will take the -ing ending.He loves traveling to remote destinations during summer.
• The present continuous can be used to express an intense and momentary emotional reaction.I'm loving this new restaurant! (passing enthusiasm)

2.4. Verbs of Sensory Perception

• hear (entendre)
• smell (sentir)
• sound (sembler)
• taste (avoir un goût)
• see (voir)
• feel (ressentir physiquement)

Illustrations

• I can hear children playing outside in the park.
• This proposal sounds very promising for our expansion.

Special Cases

The verbs smell, taste, feel can be used in the present continuous to emphasize that "we are actively engaged in the act of perception," that "we are voluntarily performing the action." In other words, they are used to express a voluntary action.

• The chef is tasting the sauce to check the seasoning.
• Where is Jennifer? She is not feeling well today.

2.5. Other Categories of Stative Verbs

• contain (contenir)
• depend on (dépendre de)
• include (inclure)
• involve (impliquer)
• mean (signifier)
• measure (mesurer)
• weigh (peser)
• require (nécessiter)
• cost (coûter)
• consist (of) (se composer de)
• seem (sembler)
• need (avoir besoin)
• be (être)

Illustrations

• This package contains all the necessary documentation for the project.
• In this context, the term means collaboration rather than competition.

Special Cases

To emphasize an unusual or temporary behavior, be can be used in the present continuous.

She's being extremely cooperative during these negotiations. (unusual behavior for her)

2.6. Summary of Exceptions

When they acquire a meaning different from their usual meaning, stative verbs can accept the continuous form. This usage emphasizes the temporary or progressive nature of the situation.

He sees his colleagues every day. (usual situation, passive perception) He is seeing a specialist next week. (scheduled appointment, active meaning of "consulting")

To deepen your understanding of stative verbs, consult this complementary article: 🔗 Complete list of state verbs for the TOEIC®

Final Summary

To perfectly master the present tenses before taking the TOEIC®, we strongly recommend you consult these complementary resources:

1. 🔗 The Simple Present for the TOEIC® - detailed course
2. 🔗 The Present Continuous for the TOEIC® - in-depth course
3. 🔗 The complete TOEIC® grammar guide - in-depth course

Ready to take action?

Every distinction between the Simple Present and the Present Continuous you have just learned here, FlowExam helps you transform into concrete points on the TOEIC®, thanks to an intelligent method focused on your real weaknesses. Knowing the rules of present tenses is a start. Applying them without hesitation in the 200 TOEIC® questions, especially in Part 5, is another story. FlowExam analyzes you, corrects you, and guides you toward the most profitable areas for improvement. Your training becomes targeted, strategic, and effective.

Some superpowers of the FlowExam platform:

• 150 exclusive tips derived from the experience of over 200 candidates who scored over 950 on the TOEIC®: clear, concrete, tested, and validated in the field.
• Automatic analysis of your most penalizing errors so you can practice where you lose the most points, without wasting energy.
• Intelligent training system that adapts exercises to your profile and makes you progress faster, without going in circles.
• Automatically generated flashcards based on your own mistakes, and optimized by the J method (spaced repetition) for lasting memorization and zero forgetting.
• Personalized learning path, built from your results, to save you time and take you directly to the quick +X points.