What types of English grammar exercises are available?

Olly English offers 14+ exercise types including fill-in-the-gap, multiple choice, jumbled sentences, error correction, sentence transformation, and AI-powered open-ended exercises. Topics cover tenses, prepositions, conditionals, modal verbs, phrasal verbs, and more.

What CEFR levels do the grammar tests cover?

Grammar tests are organised by CEFR level from A1 (Complete Beginner) through C1 (Advanced). Each unit clearly shows its level so you can start where you are and progress at your own pace.

Are the grammar tests free?

Yes — all grammar test units are free to access. You can practise unlimited exercises across all levels without a subscription.

How are the exercises marked?

Standard exercises are automatically graded with instant feedback. AI-powered exercises are evaluated by an AI that gives personalised feedback on your answer, explaining what was correct and what you could improve.

Can I use these tests to prepare for IELTS or other exams?

Yes — many grammar units directly target structures tested in IELTS, Cambridge, and TOEFL exams. The platform also has a dedicated IELTS section with full reading, writing, vocabulary, and mock tests.

Olly English

Olly is preparing your space...

Olly English

Loading page content...

lightbulbExplanation

Present Simple vs Present Continuous – A2 English Grammar

Exercises:

Choose the correct tense to complete each sentence. (e.g., She ___ coffee every morning. → drinks)

EXAMPLE: I work in a hospital. I have been a nurse for ten years.

Quiet please! The baby right now. Please do not make any noise.

She usually the bus to work, but today she is driving because the bus is on strike.

Look! It outside. Should we cancel the trip?

He meat. He has been vegetarian since he was a teenager.

A: Where is Tom? B: He to the manager in the office at the moment.

Water at 100 degrees Celsius. That is a scientific fact.

I for my English exam this week. It is on Friday.

She four languages fluently. It is very impressive.

They a new shopping centre near my house. It will be ready next year.

10.

I this week. I have some time off for a holiday.

▸Answer key

Practice Questions & Answers

All A2 questions for “Present Simple vs Present Continuous – A2 English Grammar”, each with the correct answer and a short explanation. Try the interactive exercises above, then check your answers here.

Exercise 1: Present Simple or Present Continuous? – Fill in the Gap

1. I _____ in a hospital. I have been a nurse for ten years.
- A. work ✓
- B. am working
- C. am work
Answer: work
Permanent fact = present simple. Work (not am working) for a stable situation.
2. Quiet please! The baby _____ right now. Please do not make any noise.
- A. is sleeping ✓
- B. sleeps
- C. does sleep
Answer: is sleeping
Right now = action in progress this moment = present continuous.
She usually _____ the bus to work, but today she is driving because the bus is on strike.

More A2 English Practice

Keep practising with related reading and grammar units at your level.

A2 · ReadingA2 · Reading

A Robot Waiter in a Café (A2 Reading)

A2 · ReadingA2 · Reading

Pack Your Bags: Planning the Perfect Holiday – A2 Reading Exercises

Pizza, Sushi and Tacos: The World on Your Plate – A2 Reading Exercises

Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Present Tense

1. Which is correct?
- A. She is drinking coffee every morning.
- B. She drinks coffee every morning. ✓
- C. She drink coffee every morning.
- D. She does drink coffee every morning.
Answer: She drinks coffee every morning.
Every morning = regular habit = present simple. Never present continuous with every day/morning.
2. Which is correct?
- A. He works late tonight.
- B. He is work late tonight.
- C. He is working late tonight. ✓
- D. He working late tonight.
Answer: He is working late tonight.
Tonight = temporary, not a regular habit = present continuous.
3. Which is correct?
- A. Look! She is cries.
- B. Look! She cries.
- C. Look! She is crying. ✓
- D. Look! She cry.
Answer: Look! She is crying.
Look! = signal of action happening right now = present continuous.
4. Which is correct?
- A. I am not understanding this grammar.
- B. I am not understand this grammar.
- C. I do not understand this grammar. ✓
- D. I not understand this grammar.
Answer: I do not understand this grammar.
Understand is a stative verb (a mental state). Stative verbs do not use the continuous form.
5. Which is correct?
- A. She is usually coming by train.
- B. She usually comes by train. ✓
- C. She usually is coming by train.
- D. She come usually by train.
Answer: She usually comes by train.
Usually = regular habit = present simple. Never continuous with always/usually/often.
6. Which is correct?
- A. What do you do right now?
- B. What you are doing right now?
- C. What are you doing right now? ✓
- D. What are you do right now?
Answer: What are you doing right now?
Right now = action in progress = present continuous question: What + are + subject + verb-ing?
7. Which is correct?
- A. We are having a meeting every Monday.
- B. We have a meeting every Monday. ✓
- C. We are have a meeting every Monday.
- D. We having a meeting every Monday.
Answer: We have a meeting every Monday.
Every Monday = regular routine = present simple.
8. Which is correct?
- A. He is knowing the answer.
- B. He know the answer.
- C. He knows the answer. ✓
- D. He is know the answer.
Answer: He knows the answer.
Know is a stative verb (mental state). Use present simple, never continuous.
9. Which is correct?
- A. They are staying in a hotel this week. ✓
- B. They stay in a hotel this week.
- C. They staying in a hotel this week.
- D. They are stay in a hotel this week.
Answer: They are staying in a hotel this week.
This week = temporary situation = present continuous.
10. Which is correct?
- A. The sun is rising in the east every day.
- B. The sun rises in the east. ✓
- C. The sun is rise in the east.
- D. The sun rising in the east.
Answer: The sun rises in the east.
General truth / scientific fact = present simple.

Exercise 5: Speaking Practice – Habits and Current Actions

1. You are a friendly English tutor doing a structured speaking drill with an A2 student. The grammar focus is: (1) present simple for habits/routines/permanent facts (I work, she drinks, he does not eat), (2) present continuous for actions in progress now or temporarily (I am working, she is staying, they are building), (3) key signals: always/usually/every = simple; now/at the moment/this week/right now/look = continuous, (4) stative verbs (know, understand, like, want, believe, love, hate) NEVER use continuous. STRUCTURE: Ask exactly 6 questions, one at a time. Wait for the student's full answer. QUESTIONS TO ASK (in this order): 1. 'Let us start with your daily routine! Tell me five things you do every day. Use the present simple.' (Target: I wake up at 7. I drink coffee every morning. I work in an office. Check: present simple for habits. Flag I am waking up every day.) 2. 'Good! Now tell me what is happening in your life RIGHT NOW - things that are different or temporary this week or month.' (Target: I am studying for an exam this month. I am reading a new book. My company is hiring new staff. Check: present continuous for temporary. Flag I study for exam this month.) 3. 'I will describe a situation and you choose the right tense. Ready? Your friend asks what you are doing at this exact moment.' (Target: I am talking to my English tutor. I am sitting at my desk. Check: present continuous for this moment.) 4. 'Now contrast! Tell me: what do you usually do at the weekend, and what are you doing THIS weekend that is different?' (Target: I usually go to the gym, but this weekend I am visiting my parents. Check: simple for usual, continuous for this special weekend.) 5. 'Use stative verbs! Tell me three things you know, like or want - without using the continuous.' (Target: I know how to cook. I like jazz music. I want a new phone. Check: never I am knowing, I am liking, I am wanting.) 6. 'Final question! Your friend has not seen you for a year. Tell them what has changed - what you are doing differently now compared to before.' (Target: I am living in a new city now. I am learning English this year. I am not working at my old job anymore. Check: continuous for current temporary situations.) FEEDBACK RULES: - Never explain the rule. Recast errors naturally. - If student uses continuous for habits (I am drinking coffee every morning): recast - You drink coffee every morning! That is a great habit. - If student uses simple for right now (I sit at my desk now): recast - You are sitting at your desk right now! Tell me more. - If student uses continuous with stative verb (I am knowing the answer): recast - You know the answer! Great! - Keep language at A2 level. - After all 6 questions, give one genuine specific compliment and say goodbye.

Present Simple vs Present Continuous – A2 English Grammar

Present Simple vs Present Continuous – A2 English Grammar

Practice Questions & Answers

Exercise 1: Present Simple or Present Continuous? – Fill in the Gap

More A2 English Practice

A Robot Waiter in a Café (A2 Reading)

Pack Your Bags: Planning the Perfect Holiday – A2 Reading Exercises

Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Present Tense

Exercise 3: Cristiano Ronaldo – Daily Routine vs Match Day

Exercise 4: Build Sentences in the Correct Present Tense

Exercise 5: Speaking Practice – Habits and Current Actions

Exercise 6: Writing Practice – Your Typical Day vs Right Now

Pizza, Sushi and Tacos: The World on Your Plate – A2 Reading Exercises

Common Phrasal Verbs – Wake Up, Put On, Look For (A2)

Comparative and Superlative Adjectives – A2 English Grammar

Do vs Make – When to Use Each One (A2)