🎯 Learning Objectives
- Distinguish between Present Simple and Present Continuous in context
- Use time expressions correctly with each tense
- Recognize these tenses in authentic listening exercises
- Apply the grammar confidently in speaking preparation and writing tasks
Present Simple
Form: Subject + base verb (+ s/es for he/she/it)Use: Habits, routines, facts, permanent situations
Time words: always, usually, often, sometimes, never, every day/week
Present Continuous
Form: Subject + am/is/are + verb-ingUse: Actions happening now, temporary situations, future plans
Time words: now, at the moment, today, this week, currently
🔑 Key Method: Ask yourself "Is this happening regularly (Simple) or temporarily (Continuous)?"
🏠 Routines: "I wake up at 7 AM"
🌍 Facts: "The sun rises in the east"
📅 Schedules: "The train leaves at 9:30"
🏠 Temporary: "I'm staying at a hotel"
📅 Future plans: "I'm meeting the client tomorrow"
📈 Changes: "Business is improving"
✅ Professional Usage Examples
❌ Common Business Mistakes
Listen to Marie, a project manager, discussing her typical schedule and this week's changes:
Audio: Marie's Professional Day
"Hi, I'm Marie and I work in project management for an international consulting firm. Let me tell you about my typical day and what's happening this week.
I usually start work at 8.30am. I always check my emails first and then I have my morning coffee while I review the day's schedule. I normally attend three or four meetings during the day, mostly with different project teams.
But this week is quite different. I'm working with a new client from Japan, so I'm starting much earlier at 7am because of the time difference. I'm also learning some basic Japanese phrases to make a good impression.
Usually, I have lunch at 12.30 with my colleagues in the office cafeteria. We often discuss our current projects and share ideas. However, today I'm having lunch with the Japanese delegation at a traditional restaurant downtown. It's quite exciting.
In the afternoons, I typically prepare reports and update project timelines. I usually finish work around 6pm and then I go to the gym. But this week I'm staying late every day because we're preparing a major presentation for Friday. The whole team is working overtime and we're all quite stressed but also excited about this opportunity.
I normally drink coffee all day but today I'm trying green tea. The Japanese clients recommended it. It's actually quite nice.
So that's my day. Usually very structured and predictable but this week everything is different and much more international."
Exercise A: Business Context Gap Fill
Complete with the correct form of the verbs in parentheses:
1. I usually _______ (commute) by train, but today I _______ (drive) because of the transport strike.
2. She _______ (manage) the French division, and she _______ (work) on the German expansion this quarter.
3. Our company _______ (provide) business training, but we _______ (develop) online courses this year.
Exercise B: Professional Error Correction
Find and correct the business English mistakes:
1. I am knowing all our company policies. ❌
2. She answers the phone at the moment. ❌
3. What do you doing in this meeting? ❌
Exercise C: Business Scenario
Complete each sentence with the correct verb form:
1. Our trainer Jean-Pierre _______ (teach) business English at a language institute.
2. He usually _______ (start) his day at 8 AM.
3. He _______ (conduct) classes until evening.
4. This week, however, he _______ (work) with a special corporate client.
5. The team _______ (prepare) for an important international presentation.
6. They _______ (need) intensive training.
7. Right now, Jean-Pierre _______ (review) their PowerPoint slides.
8. He _______ (give) feedback on their pronunciation.
💡 Tip: Think about which actions are routine (Present Simple) and which are temporary or happening now (Present Continuous).
Use these topics to prepare for speaking practice with your teacher
Speaking Tasks - Prepare and Practice with Your Teacher:
Include: work hours, daily responsibilities, regular meetings, routine tasks
- Think about your daily schedule and routine
- Prepare key vocabulary (start work, attend meetings, finish at...)
- Practice using "I usually..." and "I always..."
Include: special projects, temporary assignments, current training, new initiatives
- Think about current temporary changes in your work
- Prepare phrases like "This week I'm..." and "Currently I'm..."
- Focus on temporary vs. permanent situations
Start with: "I usually..., but today I'm..." Include both tenses naturally.
- Create contrast between routine (Simple) and current actions (Continuous)
- Use connecting words: "but", "however", "today", "this week"
- Practice switching between both tenses smoothly
🎯 Professional Key Takeaways:
Present Simple in Business:• Job descriptions, company policies, regular schedules
• Time words: always, usually, never, every day/week/month
• Stative verbs (know, understand, believe) for professional opinions
Present Continuous in Business:
• Current projects, temporary assignments, ongoing developments
• Time words: now, today, this week/month/quarter, currently
• Future business arrangements and scheduled meetings
💼 Professional Study Tips:
• Practice with business news articles and podcasts
• Prepare speaking points for teacher discussions
• Use both tenses when describing company changes
• Review grammar before classroom speaking practice
🔄 Next Lesson Preview: Past Simple & Past Continuous - Reporting and storytelling in business contexts