To determine whether to use the Present Simple or the Present Continuous, it's essential to understand the context and the rules governing the usage of these tenses:
- Present Simple is used for habitual actions, general truths, and fixed events.
- Present Continuous is used for actions happening at the moment of speaking or for future plans and arrangements.
Let's apply these rules to each sentence:
We feed (feed) the chickens every morning at 6:30.
- Here, "every morning at 6:30" indicates a habitual action. Therefore, the Present Simple tense is used.
He is thinking (think) of changing his job.
- This sentence describes a consideration or thought process happening right now. Hence, the Present Continuous tense is appropriate.
I really have to go now. My plane leaves (leave) at 10:30.
- Scheduled future events, especially related to transportation, are often expressed in the Present Simple tense.
We are going (go) to the cinema tomorrow afternoon. Would you like to come with us?
- This sentence talks about a planned future activity. The Present Continuous tense is used for planned future events.
I am studying (study) in my bedroom at the moment, but I can join you in the park later.
- The action is happening right now, so the Present Continuous tense is appropriate.
Hurry up! The play starts (start) in ten minutes.
- For events scheduled to happen in the near future, particularly those that are timetabled, the Present Simple tense is used.
He leaves (leave) early in the morning every Friday.
- "Every Friday" indicates a habitual action, which calls for the Present Simple tense.
To summarize, the completed sentences with the correct tenses are:
- We feed the chickens every morning at 6:30.
- He is thinking of changing his job.
- I really have to go now. My plane leaves at 10:30.
- We are going to the cinema tomorrow afternoon. Would you like to come with us?
- I am studying in my bedroom at the moment, but I can join you in the park later.
- Hurry up! The play starts in ten minutes.
- He leaves early in the morning every Friday.