“I know the address” describes a state. “I am checking the address” describes an activity in progress. Both concern the present, but they do not need the same verb form.
The Jobins Training grammar source oetgrammarword.epub includes present-simple and present-continuous explanations and exercises. This guide focuses on choosing forms from meaning, using fresh examples rather than changing every verb to the tense named in an exercise.
Ask whether you are describing a state or an activity
Verbs such as “know,” “need” and “own” commonly describe states in their ordinary meanings. “She knows the procedure” and “He needs a copy” are natural. Adding “is” and “-ing” does not automatically make a sentence more current.
Activities in progress can use the present continuous: “She is checking the procedure” or “He is making a copy.” The choice reflects what the verb means in that sentence.
Original state-and-activity comparison
State: “The learner has a question.”
Activity: “The learner is asking a question.”
State: “The administrator knows the booking number.”
Activity: “The administrator is looking up the booking number.”
“Now” could be relevant to any of these situations. It does not force every verb into the continuous form.
Distinguish a routine from an activity in progress
“The office sends reminders every Friday” describes a routine. “The office is sending reminders now” describes an activity happening at the relevant time. Compare the whole situation before selecting a tense.
The continuous can also describe a temporary activity over a wider period: “The team is reviewing the booking system this month.” It does not require the activity to be happening every second while you speak.
Check verbs that have more than one meaning
“Have” can describe possession: “She has the documents.” It can also describe an activity: “She is having a meeting.” Those are different uses, so a rule based only on the spelling of the verb will be incomplete.
Similarly, “I think the time is suitable” expresses an opinion, while “I am thinking about the proposal” describes active consideration. Learn the verb together with its meaning and surrounding phrase.
Choose the natural form for the meaning
1. The learner ___ the answer now. (knows/is knowing)
2. The tutor ___ the answer at the moment. (explains/is explaining)
3. The office ___ at nine every weekday. (opens/is opening)
Answers: 1 knows — a state of knowledge. 2 is explaining — an activity in progress. 3 opens — a regular schedule.
Do not change the facts during a tense exercise
If a paragraph describes an event last week, rewriting every verb in the present changes the time frame. That may be an artificial classroom drill, but it is not a faithful account of the original information.
When practising a letter, preserve the supplied time and status. Use a different form only when it expresses the intended meaning. An answer key can help you review, but you still need to understand what the completed sentence claims.
Practise contrasting pairs
Write one routine, one current activity and one state about studying or appointments. Explain why you chose each form. Then change the situation, not just the verb ending, and write a second version.
Explore OET Grammar — Course 5 for the course linked to this source. For personalised OET support, request one-to-one lesson dates and times around your work and busy life, with availability confirmed by your tutor.
Your next step
OET Grammar — Course 5
Explore the complete course outline and related practice topics.
Source: oetgrammarword.epub, Jobins Training. Examples labelled original or illustrative were written for this article. Independent exam preparation; no affiliation with or endorsement by the examining body. Practice does not predict an official score.