Day 05
Present Continuous
Introduction
The present continuous tense, also known as the present progressive, is a grammatical
tense that describes both events happening at the time of speaking and future
planned actions.
Example
John is heading to work. At this very moment, he’s driving to work.“He’s heading” and “he’s
driving,” show the present continuous tense. They describe what’s happening right now.
The Forms Of The Present Continuous Tense
he verb to be (am,
verb + ing
are, is)
Present Continuous Formula
1. The Affirmative Forms Of The Present Continuous:
am
‘m
are
You, we,
they eating.
‘re
Is
He, she, it
‘s
2. The Interrogative Forms Of The Present Continuous
Am I
Are you, we, they eating?
Is he, she, it
3. The Negative Forms Of The Present Continuous
am not
‘m not
are not
You, we, they eating.
aren’t
is not
He, she, it
isn’t
The Uses Of The Present Continuous Tense
1. Actions Happening At The Time Of Speaking
present continuous
The present continuous is used to talk about actions happening at the time of speaking.
Examples:
• Where is Mary? She is having a bath. (Not she has a bath)
• Jane is in her bedroom. She is doing her homework.
• What are you doing at the moment in front of your screen? Well, I am reading this lesson. I
am learning English.
2. Temporary Situations
The present continuous is used to describe temporary situations that are taking place around the
time of speaking.
• She works for a web design agency. She‘s working on a new website.
• “The new website ” is a temporary situation and “working for the web design agency” is
more permanent. It’s true in general.
• Jane‘s living with her mother until she buys a house.
• “Living with her mother” is a temporary situation.
Note:
Compare these two examples to see the difference between the present simple and the present
continuous:
• She works for a web design agency. → The verb – works – is in the simple present because
it refers to a permanent situation.
• She‘s working on a new website. → The verb – ‘s working – is in the present continuous
because it refers to a temporary situation.
3. Actions In Progress Or Involving Change
The present continuous can be also used when an action is in progress or involves some sort of
change. The action may not be necessarily happening at the time of speaking
Example:
• I am reading a book; it’s a nice book. (I am not necessarily reading it at the present
moment. But I started reading it and I haven’t finished it yet.)
• His mother is getting better and, hopefully, she will make a full recovery. (There is a
positive change in her health.)
• Studies show that the environment is getting worse day in and day out. (The environment
is getting worse)
4. planned Actions In The Future
The present continuous can also be used to describe plans, things that are already discussed, or
planned.
Examples:
• They are traveling to France in June. They have already bought the tickets.
• Nadia is starting a new job on Monday.
Time Expressions Used With The Present Continuous
These are examples of the time expressions (also called signal words) that are used with the
present continuous tense:
now, right now, at the moment, currently, today, this week, this month, this year, these
days, etc.
The above time expressions are important when using the present continuous tense. Here is why
they are crucial:
• Contextual Clarity: Time expressions specify when an action occurs, adding clarity to the
present continuous tense.
• Distinguishing Timeframes: They help distinguish actions in progress from habitual or
general statements.
Stative Verbs Vs. Action Verbs
Some verbs, called stative verbs, are typically not used in the present continuous.
Examples:
• be, believe, belong, hate, hear, like, love, mean, prefer, remain, realize, see, seem,
smell, think, understand, want, wish
These verbs are called stative verbs in contrast to action verbs (also referred to as “dynamic
verbs”) such as “work, play, eat, etc.”
It’s not correct to say:
• He is wanting to buy a new car.
• I am preferring tea.
• She is believing in God
You must say:
He wants to buy a new car.
• I prefer tea.
• She believes in God.
• The -Ing Spelling Rules
When adding the ing to verbs in continuous verbs, there are specific rules that we have to follow:
1. The general rule is to add -ing to the verb.
Examples:
• play + ing → playing
• watch + ing → watching
2. For the verbs that end in a silent e, we drop the e and add -ing.
Example:
• close + ing → closing
• write + ing → writing
3. For one syllable-verbs ending in a vowel and a consonant, we double the final
consonant and add -ing.
Example:
• stop + ing → stopping
• set + ing → setting
4. For verbs ending in w, y, or, x, we only add -ing.
Examples:
• fix + ing → fixing
• say + ing → saying
• snow + ing → snowing
4. For verbs ending in a vowel and a consonant with stress on the final syllable, we
double the consonant and add -ing.
Examples:
• begin + ing → beginning
• admit + ing → admitting
• refer + ing → referring
• upset + ing → upsetting
5. For verbs ending in -ie, we drop the -ie and add –ing.
Examples:
• die + ing → dying
• lie + ing → lying
6. For Verbs ending in consonant + vowel + L, we have two rules depending on
whether you are using American or British English.
In American English, we do not double the final L.
Example: travel + ing → traveling
In British English, we double the final L.
Example: travel + ing → travelling.
Homework
For the following 2 excerpts, read carefully and make sure you have a complete understanding and
be prepared for a reading comprehension quiz about them