Every day or right now? Present simple or continuous
Short answer: Use the present simple for habits and facts: I walk to school every day. Use am, is or are plus -ing for what is happening now: I am walking now. Time words help you choose: every day, usually and always point to a habit; now, right now, Look! and Listen! point to this moment. Do not leave out am, is or are.
▶ Open the rule card · ✏️ Practice this rule
At a glance
| Time words | Tense | Example |
|---|---|---|
| every day, usually, always, often | present simple | She usually drinks milk. |
| now, right now, at the moment | present continuous | She is drinking milk now. |
| Look! Listen! | present continuous | Listen! They are singing. |
In short
- Habits (every day, usually, always): present simple.
- Now (now, Look!, Listen!): am / is / are + -ing.
- Do not leave out am, is or are.
What is the rule for “Every day or right now”?
The rule
Use the present simple for habits and the present continuous for what is happening now.
How it looks
I walk to school every day. · I am walking now.
What it means
present simple = a habit. am / is / are + -ing = happening now.
When to use it
Choose by the time word: every day, usually, always — or now, right now, Look!, Listen!
How it works
- Read the sentence for a time word. Every day or usually? Choose the present simple.
- Now, Look! or Listen!? Choose the present continuous.
- Make the present continuous with am, is or are and the -ing verb.
- Some verbs are not used with -ing: know, like, want, need, love. Say I know, not I am knowing.
Examples of “Every day or right now”
- I brush my teeth every day.
every day: a habit. - Look! He is running.
Look!: it is happening now. - She usually drinks milk.
usually: a habit. - Listen! They are singing.
Listen!: it is happening now. - He plays tennis every Saturday.
every Saturday = a habit. - He is playing tennis right now.
right now = at this moment. - I always wake up at six.
always = a habit. - Be quiet! The baby is sleeping.
now = at this moment.
Common mistakes with “Every day or right now”
I reading now.→ I am reading now.
With -ing we need am, is or are.Look! He runs.→ Look! He is running.
Look! shows it is happening now.I am drinking milk every morning.→ I drink milk every morning.
every morning is a habit.I am watching TV every evening.→ I watch TV every evening.
every evening shows a habit.Look! The dog sleeps.→ Look! The dog is sleeping.
Look! shows it is happening now.
Exceptions: watch out
- like, have
Some words are not used with -ing: I like cake, not I am liking cake.
Habit, now and facts
The present simple tells habits and facts. The present continuous tells what is happening now, or around now.
| Idea | Tense | Example |
|---|---|---|
| fact | present simple | Water boils at 100 degrees. |
| habit | present simple | I read every night. |
| now | present continuous | I am reading now. |
See also: Present continuous: happening now
Check yourself
- Choose: “She ___ (walk) to school every day.”
Show the answer
walks Every day = a habit; she needs -s.
- Choose: “Look! He ___ (run).”
Show the answer
is running Look! = happening now.
- Fix: “I am knowing the answer.”
Show the answer
I know the answer. Know is not used with -ing.
How to practice “Every day or right now”
The interactive version adds step-by-step help, spoken instructions and a quick check. One rule card, one sound lesson and the first lesson of every stone are free to try; the rest is part of Full Access. See Full Access.
- Practice lesson: Every day or right now?
Questions
Which verbs are not used with -ing?
Verbs of state: know, understand, like, love, want, need, believe. Say I like cake, not I am liking cake.
Can I use the present continuous with “always”?
Yes, to complain: He is always losing his keys. This is a special use you will meet later.
What is the difference between “I work” and “I am working”?
I work says it is your job or habit. I am working says you are doing it now or for a short time.
More Connecting Ideas rules
- Joining words: and, but, or, so: and, but, or and so join two ideas of the same kind.
- because: giving reasons: because gives the reason. It answers the question Why?
- there is / there are: there is tells that one thing is in a place. there are tells that many things are in a place.
- Past: was and were: was and were tell about the past. Use was with I, he, she and it. Use were with you, we and they.
- Past simple: regular -ed: To talk about the past, most action words add -ed. It is the same for every person.
- Past simple: irregular verbs and did: Some action words have a special past form. After did or didn't, use the plain action word.
Used in these writing topics
Part of the 📘 Grammar tool. Level G3: Connecting Ideas. Đọc bằng tiếng Việt.
Written for English learners by the English for Fun team. How we write our lessons · Last updated 2026-11-05.
Reviewed by Chinh Q. Hoang, PhD, founder, English for Fun · 2026-10-30