Usually… but Today…
I can explain a temporary change from an ordinary routine.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Choose a short recording.
Your situation
Maya normally takes the train to work. Today the station is closed, so she is working at home. Her colleague usually eats lunch in a café, but today he is making lunch in his kitchen. They are comparing their unusual day.
Read the situation transcript
Maya normally takes the train to work. Today the station is closed, so she is working at home. Her colleague usually eats lunch in a café, but today he is making lunch in his kitchen. They are comparing their unusual day.
Why is Maya’s home-working described with the continuous here?
Compare your idea
It is today’s temporary change, not her usual routine.
How it works
Start with the normal pattern in the present simple. Then explain the temporary change with the present continuous: I usually walk, but today I’m taking the bus.
The contrast needs a meaningful reason or time limit. Use ordinary activity verbs here. Do not add be to the routine form: She usually works, not She is usually work.
Usually + present simple; but today/this week + present continuous for a temporary activity.
Notice this
Maya usually takes the train.
This is the ordinary pattern.
Compare this
Today she’s working at home.
This is the temporary change.
Hear the examples
Maya usually takes the train.
This is the ordinary pattern.
Today she’s working at home.
This is the temporary change.
He normally eats in a café.
This is his usual lunch routine.
Today he’s making lunch.
This describes today’s activity.
One mistake worth avoiding
Instead of: Usually I am take the train.
Say: Usually I take the train.
The routine uses a present-simple base verb after I.
You say
Hear the prompt, answer aloud, then deliberately reveal or hear one possible model. Check it and retry with a changed detail.
Your turn 1
Compare your usual work or study place with today.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
I usually study at home, but today I’m studying in a café.
Check yourself: Make the temporary contrast explicit.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Your turn 2
Describe someone else’s unusual day.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
She usually drives, but today she’s walking.
Check yourself: Use -s in the routine and is + -ing in the temporary activity.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Your turn 3
Explain the reason for a temporary change.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
I’m working at home today because the office is closed.
Check yourself: Use a clear current reason without changing the target form.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Two guided self-checks
Say or write your answer before opening a model.
Self-check 1
Complete the routine: He usually ___ lunch at one. Use eat.
Compare a model and explanation
He usually eats lunch at one.
A singular routine subject takes eats.
Self-check 2
Complete today’s activity: We ___ lunch at home. Use make.
Compare a model and explanation
We’re making lunch at home.
The stated temporary activity uses are making.
Check your understanding
Choose one answer to each question, then check your answers. One of the ten questions is listening.
Automatic scoring needs JavaScript. Use the answer key after attempting all ten questions.
Answer key with explanations
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Routine: Maya normally ___ the train.
takes: The normal pattern uses takes.
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Temporary change: Today she ___ at home.
is working: Use is working for the stated temporary activity.
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Her colleague usually ___ in a café.
eats: A single colleague takes eats.
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Why does the opener use “is working at home” for Maya?
It presents a temporary change today.: Today contrasts with her normal travel routine.
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Choose the correct contrast.
I usually walk, but today I’m cycling.: The first clause gives a routine and the second a temporary activity.
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Correct “He is make lunch today.”
He is making lunch today.: Use the -ing form after is.
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Which question asks about a normal routine?
Where do you usually work?: Do you usually work asks about the repeated pattern.
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What is different this week?
The speaker is studying in the library.: This week contrasts the library with the usual home routine.
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Choose a correct current-activity question.
Are you taking the bus today?: Use are plus taking.
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What makes this contrast useful?
It explains what is normal and what is different now.: The two forms help distinguish the usual pattern from the temporary change.
Take it with you
I can explain a temporary change from an ordinary routine.