Continuous
We use the Present Simple to talk about things that are factual, permanent, or routine.
For example:
London lies on the Thames. (factual)
I live in Italy. (permanent)
I go to work by car. (routine)
When we talk about our routines, we can also add an adverb of frequency to say how often we do these things:
I always go to work by car.
I never take the bus to work.
But we use the Present Continuous to talk about things that are happening now, or around now. (“Around now” can mean this hour, this week, this month, this year…) We think that these events are temporary, rather than permanent.
We tend to use the Present Continuous to talk about changes and trends.
This week I’m taking the bus to work because my car is in the garage. (A temporary change.)
The price of petrol is going up. (A trend)
