SIMPLE PRESENT versus PRESENT CONTINUOUS - EXAMPLES

Quebec sells large amounts of hydro-electric power to New York State.

A general truth. The action is not temporary. Use simple present.

I usually visit my parents on the weekend.

Habitual action (keyword usually). Use simple present.

She waters the flowers every day.

Habitual action (keyword every). Use simple present.

Presently, three candidates are campaigning for election.

Temporary action (keyword: presently). Use present continuous.

Susan is watching T.V. right now.

Temporary action (keyword: right now). Use present continuous.

He is taking a bath at the moment. Can he call you back later?

Temporary action (keyword: at the moment). Use present continuous.

I smell something strange in the refrigerator.

Temporary action (no keyword). We would normally use present continuous - BUT: smell is an involuntary sense verb. Thus, use simple present.

Look! That man has a parrot on his shoulder.

Temporary action (no keyword). We would normally use present continuous - BUT: have is a verb of possession; therefore, use simple present.

Greg is having dinner with his girlfriend at the moment.

Temporary action (keyword: at the moment). Use present continuous (Note: have is usually a verb of possession, but "to have dinner" is an idiomatic usage which represents a voluntary action).

Presently, there are three candidates in the election race.

Temporary action (keyword: presently). BUT: 'be' is not normally used in continuous tenses; therefore, use simple present.