Adults|Grammar|Intermediate|1. I am doing and I do

Compare:

Present continuous (I am doing)

We use the continuous for things happening at or around the time of speaking. The action is not complete.

Examples:

1. The water is boiling. Can you turn it off?

2. Listen to those people. What language are they speaking?

3. Let’s go out. It isn’t raining now.

4. «I’m busy.» «What are you doing?»

5. I‘m getting hungry. Let’s go and eat.

6. Kate wants to work in Italy, so she‘s learning Italian.

7. The population of the world is increasing very fast.

We use the continuous for temporary situations:

Examples:

1. I‘m living with some friends until I find a place of my own.

2. — You‘re working hard today.
— Yes, I have a lot to do.

Present simple (I do)

We use the simple for things in general or things that happen repeatedly.

Examples:

1. Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.

2. Excuse me, do you speak English?

3. It doesn’t rain very much in summer.

4. What do you usually do at weekends?

5. I always get hungry in the afternoon.

6. Most people learn to swim when they are children.

7. Every day the population of the world increases by about 200,000 people.

We use the simple for permanent situations:

1. My parents live in London. They have lived there all their lives.

2. John isn’t lazy. He works hard most of the time.