I Usually Work in Rome, But I'm Working in Milan This Month

1 Section 1. Two Tenses, Two Jobs

Here is something important. The same verb can tell two very different stories — it all depends on which tense you use.

When we use the present simple with an action verb, we are talking about a routine. This means something you do regularly — every day, every week, every month. It is your normal life.

When we use the present continuous, we are talking about an action in progress. This means something that is happening right now, or around now — this week, this month, today.

🔑 Signal words for present simple (routines):
usually, often, regularly, generally, every day, every week, every month, always

🔑 Signal words for present continuous (in progress):
now, at the moment, this week, this month, today, temporarily

These signal words are your best friends. When you see them, they tell you which tense to use.

2 Section 2. See the Difference in Action

Look at these 15 examples. Each one shows the present simple (routine) and the present continuous (in progress) working together. Notice the signal words!

1. I usually work in Rome, but this month I’m working in Milan on a project.
2. Alex often reads history books, but right now he’s reading a thriller.
3. Sam generally starts work at 9am, but this week she’s starting at 7am.
4. Jackie usually does the weekly sales reports, but Jane is doing them at the moment because Jackie is on maternity leave.
5. I don’t usually eat much ice cream, but I’m eating a lot at the moment because it’s so hot!
6. Jim doesn’t usually walk with crutches, but he is using them for four weeks because of an injury.
7. Chris usually drives to work, but this week he is taking the train.
8. Jordan regularly goes to the gym on Mondays, but today she is resting at home.
9. We usually have our team meeting on Friday, but this week we are having it on Wednesday.
10. My boss usually travels to London every month, but this month she is travelling to Tokyo.
11. I don’t usually drink coffee in the afternoon, but today I am drinking it because I’m very tired.
12. Sam generally cooks dinner at home, but this week he is eating at restaurants because his kitchen is broken.
13. The team usually works from the office, but this month they are working from home.
14. Alex often listens to music while she works, but at the moment she is listening to a podcast.
15. I usually sleep eight hours a night, but this week I am sleeping only five because of a big deadline.

See the pattern? Present simple = your normal life. Present continuous = life right now.

3 Section 3. The Big Picture

Here is a simple way to remember the difference.

Think of the present simple as a photograph of your regular life. It shows what is always true for you — your habits, your routines, your normal day. It is stable. It does not change.

Now think of the present continuous as a video — life in action! It shows what is happening right now or around now. It is temporary. It will change.

📷 Present simple = the photograph. I work in Rome. I read history books. I drive to work.

🎥 Present continuous = the video. I’m working in Milan this month. I’m reading a thriller at the moment. I’m taking the train this week.

The key word is temporary. When something is different from your normal routine — for now, for this week, for this month — use the present continuous.

4 Section 4. A Week of Changes

It is Monday morning. Alex, Sam, and Jordan are having coffee in the office kitchen.

‘You look tired,’ Sam says to Alex.

‘I am!’ Alex replies. ‘I usually cycle to work, but this week I am taking the bus because my bike is broken. The journey takes twice as long.’

Jordan laughs. ‘I know that feeling. I usually start work at nine, but this month I am starting at seven because we have a big project. It’s exhausting.’

‘At least you’re still in the city,’ Sam says. ‘I usually work from our London office, but this month I am working here in Edinburgh. I don’t usually know anyone in this building!’

Alex smiles. ‘So none of us are doing what we usually do this week.’

‘No,’ Jordan agrees. ‘But next month, everything goes back to normal. I can’t wait!’

They finish their coffee and go back to their desks — all three of them living a slightly different life, just for now.

5 Section 5. Your Turn — Write About Your Week

Now it’s your turn! Use both tenses to write about your own life — what you usually do, and what is different right now.

6 Recap. Two Tenses, One Simple Rule

Well done! Here is what you learned on this page.

The present simple tells people about your routines — the things you do regularly. Use signal words like usually, often, generally, every day.

The present continuous tells people about actions in progress — things that are happening now or around now, but not forever. Use signal words like at the moment, this week, this month, today, temporarily.

Remember the key idea: temporary = present continuous. When your normal routine changes — for a week, a month, a project — that is the moment to use the present continuous.

I usually work in Rome. But this month? I’m working in Milan. That one sentence tells the whole story.