Present Simple or Present Continuous

• Use the present simple for routines, facts, and habits. Use the present continuous for actions happening right now at Saint Jude Hospital.
• Tense
• Use
• Example
• Present Simple
• Habits and routines
• Dr. Miller works at Massachusetts General Hospital.
• Present Continuous
• Actions happening now
• Nurse Emily is checking a blood test right now.
• Present Simple
• Permanent facts
• Bed 4 is near the window.
• Present Continuous
• Temporary actions
• The patient is resting in bed at present.
• Remember
• Use present simple with words like always, usually, every day, and never.
• Use present continuous with words like now, at the moment, and right now.
• Do not use continuous forms with state verbs like want, like, or know.
• Check if the action is a regular routine or happening at this exact moment.
• Examples
• Dr. Davis writes prescriptions every morning.
• Nurse Thomas is writing a report right now.
• Children usually wait for appointments in this room.
• A family member is waiting for the doctor at the moment.
• Common mistakes
• Dr. Wilson is working at Boston Medical Center every day.
• Dr. Wilson works at Boston Medical Center every day.
• Look! The patient drink water now.
• Look! The patient is drinking water now.

Complete the sentences

• Dr. Baker (work) ____ at Johns Hopkins Hospital on Mondays.
• Right now, Nurse Adams (examine) ____ a patient in bed 2.
• The pediatrician usually (start) ____ the ward round at nine.
• Listen! The cardiologist (talk) ____ to a resident in Chicago.
• Patients (rest) ____ in their rooms every afternoon.
• At the moment, a visitor (wait) ____ near the nurse's station.

Sources: photo by PNW Production on Pexels