Generally speaking
we use the simple present to describe the general situation
I work at home
She likes cars
They speak English well
we use the present continuous to describe something happening right now or is happening ‘around’ this time
I am practising my English grammar
He is resting
We are thinking about what to do next
So the trick is to be able to communicate or understand the context to decide (if it is important) as to if an activity is relevant to right now or ‘around’ now or not. ‘Around’ now means not necessarily at this moment but it is something ‘in mind’.. started but not concluded.
She is thinking about what to invest in next
This is an example of a sentence that could mean right now or ‘around’ now.
If ‘she’ in this sentence has closed the door to think about this matter then we are talking about now.
If ‘she’ continues to think about this whilst doing other things then it would be ‘around’ now. Doing other things may simply involve living day to day!
Contrast the following, what is the difference in meaning?
He comes from North London
He was born in North London
He lived in North London
He is coming from North London
He will start his journey in North London
He started his journey in North London and is travelling to get here.
My case weighs 23.1kg.
The weight of my bag is 23.1kg.
They are weighing my case.
(At the airport).. someone is checking the weight of my case now.
They can see you!
You think that by standing behind the tree, you are invisible but they can see you now!
They are seeing you!
Maybe they are or will visit you.
Maybe you are or will visit them.
_______
We are an school that specialises in online English classes.
We teach all levels of student.
