PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE
FORM
[am/is/are + present participle]
Examples:
- You are watching TV.
- Are you watching TV?
- You are not watching TV.
USE 1 Now
Use the Present Continuous with Normal Verbs to
express the idea that something is happening now, at this very moment. It can
also be used to show that something is not happening now.
Examples:
- You are learning English now.
- You are not swimming now.
- Are you sleeping?
- I am sitting.
- I am not standing.
- Is he sitting or standing?
- They are reading their books.
- They are not watching television.
- What are you doing?
- Why aren't you doing your
homework?
USE 2 Longer Actions in Progress Now
In English, "now" can mean:
this second, today, this month, this year, this century, and so on. Sometimes,
we use the Present Continuous to say that we are in the process of doing a
longer action which is in progress; however, we might not be doing it at this
exact second.
Examples: (All of these sentences can be
said while eating dinner in a restaurant.)
- I am studying to become a
doctor.
- I am not studying to become a
dentist.
- I am reading the book Tom
Sawyer.
- I am not reading any books
right now.
- Are you working on any
special projects at work?
- Aren't you teaching at the
university now?
USE 3 Near Future
Sometimes, speakers use the Present
Continuous to indicate that something will or will not happen in the near
future.
Examples:
- I am meeting some friends
after work.
- I am not going to the party
tonight.
- Is he visiting his parents
next weekend?
- Isn't he coming with us
tonight?
USE 4 Repetition and Irritation with "Always"
The Present Continuous with words such
as "always" or "constantly" expresses the idea that something
irritating or shocking often happens. Notice that the meaning is like Simple Present,
but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words "always" or
"constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing."
Examples:
- She is always coming to class
late.
- He is constantly talking. I wish
he would shut up.
- I don't like them because they are
always complaining.
REMEMBER
Non-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed Verbs
It is important to
remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot
be used in any continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings forMixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous
tenses. Instead of using Present Continuous with these verbs, you must
use Simple Present.
Examples:
She is
loving this chocolate ice cream. Not Correct
She loves this
chocolate ice cream. Correct
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below
show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever,
still, just, etc.
Examples:
You
are still watching TV.
Are
you still watching TV?
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
Right now,
Tom is writing the letter. Active
Right now, the
letter is being written by Tom. Passive
CHANGE
THE VERB INTO THE CORRECT FORM
1. Anna (rest) right now.
2. I (talk) on the phone at this moment.
3. Bella (cook) dinner now.
4. They (help) the teacher right now.
5. He (run) very fast!
6. Julia (bake) a chocolate cake at the moment.
7. I (have) fun!
8. You (dance) very nicely.
9. They (answer) all the questions.
10. John (eat) Salad, and I am eating fish.
11. Marta (drive), and Chris is sleeping (sleep).
12. It (rain).
13. I (write) my homework.
14. We (work) on the new show right now.
15. Kate (lie) in bed now.
1. Anna (rest) right now.
2. I (talk) on the phone at this moment.
3. Bella (cook) dinner now.
4. They (help) the teacher right now.
5. He (run) very fast!
6. Julia (bake) a chocolate cake at the moment.
7. I (have) fun!
8. You (dance) very nicely.
9. They (answer) all the questions.
10. John (eat) Salad, and I am eating fish.
11. Marta (drive), and Chris is sleeping (sleep).
12. It (rain).
13. I (write) my homework.
14. We (work) on the new show right now.
15. Kate (lie) in bed now.
CHECK
