'He speaks' vs. 'He is speaking'

[subasingha]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #13 "Grammar Questions", question 6

Which of these tenses is Present Simple? It is ..........

(a) He spoke
(b) He is speaking
(c) He speaks
(d) He will speak

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #13 "Grammar Questions", answer 6

Which of these tenses is Present Simple? It is He speaks.

Correct answer: (c) He speaks
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He is speaking, Why not?

subasingha

[Pamela]

Hi,subasingha."He is speaking" is present continuous form and implies an action in progress.

[Mister Micawber]

.
You might like to look at a VERB TENSE CHART, subasingha.
.
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mister Micawber

[Alan]

Hi subasingha,

You could also have a look at some material I've written for the site on tenses. You'll find it under the heading esl lessons in the first two items in the index: Present Simple, Progressive forms.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Word Story: Health