present simple

use:

• permanent situations - example: she lives in london.
• opinions - example: i believe that he is right.
• daily routines, habits - example: he eats breakfast at 7 am every day.
• universal truths and facts - example: the earth revolves around the sun.
• timetables in the near future - example: the train leaves at 3 pm.

vs

present continuous

use:

• actions in progress - example: i am writing an email.
• actions happening now and denoting progression and change - example: she is studying for her exams.
• action happening now and denoting progression and change - example - my sister is laying the table this week
• action happening repeatedly - example - they're always arguing!
• actions in progress - example: i'm making my bed now.

signal words

present simple:

how often?

• adverbs of frequency: always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never.
• time expressions: regularly, constantly, consistently, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, on occasion, etc.

when?

every day, in the evening, in summer, on mondays, etc.

present continuous:

time expressions: (right) now, at the moment, currently, today, this week, etc.