The Grammar Lab: Simple vs. Continuous

Lesson 06: Present Tenses

Habit or Happening Now?

We use Simple for things that are always true or habits. We use Continuous for things happening right now.

🔹 Present Simple: I eat rice (Every day). (បច្ចុប្បន្នភាពធម្មតា)
🔹 Present Continuous: I am eating rice (Now). (បច្ចុប្បន្នកាលកំពុងបន្ត)

Present Simple Always

Use for facts, habits, and routines.
Keywords: Always, Usually, Every day.

I work here.	ខ្ញុំធ្វើការនៅទីនេះ
She drinks coffee.	នាងផឹកកាហ្វេ (ទម្លាប់)
The sun rises.	ព្រះអាទិត្យរះ (ការពិត)

Present Continuous Now

Use for actions happening at this moment.
Structure: am/is/are + Verb-ing.

I am working.	ខ្ញុំកំពុងធ្វើការ
She is drinking.	នាងកំពុងផឹក
Look! It is raining.	វាកំពុងភ្លៀង

The "No -ing" Rule ⚠️

Some verbs describe feelings or states, not actions. Never use continuous with these.

I like pizza.	(NOT: I am liking)
She knows me.	(NOT: She is knowing)
I want water.	(NOT: I am wanting)

Habit vs. Now

Click to switch between Routine and Action.

I drive (Every day)Simple

She cooks (Usually)Simple

They play (Often)Simple

It rains (In July)Simple

Quick Check

1. Look! The bus _____.

2. I usually _____ to work.

3. She _____ the answer. (Stative Verb)