Simple vs Continuous – Clear Explanation

Simple vs Continuous

Simple vs Continuous (Progressive) – Clear Explanation

Core idea

Simple = routine / fact / finished action
(Simple = Routine / Fakt / abgeschlossene Handlung)

Continuous = happening now / in progress / temporary
(Continuous = passiert gerade / im Verlauf / vorübergehend)

1) Simple Tenses = Facts, Habits, Finished Actions

We use the simple form when something is:

  • a routine or habit
  • a general fact
  • a completed action (past)
  • something permanent or repeated

Present Simple

I drink coffee every morning.
(Ich trinke jeden Morgen Kaffee.)
→ This is a daily routine.

Past Simple

I drank coffee yesterday.
(Ich habe gestern Kaffee getrunken.)
→ Finished action in the past.

2) Continuous (Progressive) = Action in Progress, Temporary, Ongoing

We use the continuous form when something is:

  • happening right now
  • in progress at a specific moment
  • temporary or not permanent
  • interrupted by another action (past)

Present Continuous

I am drinking coffee right now.
(Ich trinke gerade Kaffee.)
→ Action happening at this moment.

Past Continuous

I was drinking coffee when you called.
(Ich trank gerade Kaffee, als du angerufen hast.)
→ Action was in progress, then something happened.

Key Contrast

Simple = What happens (routine or finished)

I eat breakfast at 7.
(Ich frühstücke um 7 Uhr.)

I watched TV last night.
(Ich habe gestern Abend ferngesehen.)

Continuous = What is happening (in progress)

I am eating breakfast now.
(Ich frühstücke gerade.)

I was watching TV when the phone rang.
(Ich sah gerade fern, als das Telefon klingelte.)

Quick Rule Summary

Use Simple Continuous
Habit / routine ✅ ❌
General fact ✅ ❌
Action happening now ❌ ✅
Temporary situation ❌ ✅
Finished past event ✅ ❌
Past action interrupted ❌ ✅

Super-Compact Memory Trick

Simple = regular or finished
(Simple = regelmäßig oder abgeschlossen)

Continuous = happening now or in progress
(Continuous = passiert gerade oder im Verlauf)

Simple vs Continuous (Progressive) – Clear Explanation