Simple Present or Present Progressive?

Zusammenfassung: Wann muss man im Englischen Simple Present und wann Present Progressive benutzen? Diese Frage ist sehr wichtig, denn im Deutschen gibt es keine Unterschiede zwischen diesen zwei Zeitformen. Im Englischen ist das aber nicht egal, ob der Vorgang immer wieder oder nur jetzt stattfindet.

Резюме: Когда нужно в английском использовать Present Progressive, а когда — Simple Present? Этот вопрос является очень важным, так как в русском языке есть только три грамматических времени — настоящее, прошедшее и будущее. В английском же языке не всё равно, происходит ли это действие постоянно, или только сейчас.

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If we say about a fixed routine, when the action takes place regularly, we use Simple Present (synonym: Present Indefinite):

He works as a journalist.

This tense may be accompanied with such adverbs as always, never, often, seldom, usually, normally, which stand immediately before the notional verb (but after the verb ‘to be’):

He always goes to the University by tram.

We usually meet our customers in this room.

He never drinks coffee on Sundays.

She is often late…

On the other hand, Present Progressive (synonym: Present Continuous) means the action, which takes place at this moment, i.e. just now:

They are discussing their plans for the coming week (now).

She is reading a newspaper (now).

I am looking for my dictionary (now).

Present Progressive sometimes means a planned action in the future:

They are arriving in London in about three hours.

She is speaking with her report tomorrow.