The Present Indefinite is used to denote:
1) permanent actions
He lives not far from here.
2) recurrent or habitual actions
Mary always visits her parents in summer.
3) a succession of point actions (demonstrations, commentaries, recipes etc.)
He takes the javelin, concentrates and finally throws it.
4) an action taking place at the moment of speaking but not viewed in its progress
What a crazy idea! You talk nonsense!
5) present states of being, thinking, possessing or feeling (with stative verbs)
Most people don’t believe in the existence of UFOs.
6) the performance of action by saying/ naming it (with performative verbs: accept, agree, apologise, congratulate, declare, deny, disagree etc)
On behalf of the company, I apologise for any inconvenience caused.
7) timetables and programmes
The play starts at 7 p.m.
8) immediate future
Where do we go now?
9) a future action in a subordinate clause of time/ condition referring to the future
I’ll do it if you help me.
10) a future action in a subordinate object clause after to see to/ to take care of/ to make sure
I’ll make sure he is all right.
The Present Continuous is used to denote:
1) an action happening at the moment of speaking
Where’s David? – He is playing chess with his uncle in the living room.
2) temporary situations / actions happening about this time but not necessarily at the moment
He is working for his uncle now.
3) changing or developing situations
It’s getting colder.
4) personal arrangements for the near future
We are meeting at 7 tonight.
5) to express criticism or annoyance/ emotional colouring about a frequently repeated action
You are always interrupting me!