Present Continuous
I. Forms
We form the present continuous
with the present of the verb be and the present participle of the
main verb:
Positive: Subject + am / is / are + verb (-ing) +…
Examples:
- You are
watching TV.
- You are
learning English now.
- I am
studying to become a doctor.
- I am
sitting.
Negative: Subject + am / is / are +not + verb (-ing) +…
Examples:
- You are not swimming now.
- I am
not standing.
- I am
not reading any books right now.
- They
are not watching television.
Question: Am / Is / Are + subject + verb (-ing) +…?
Examples:
-
Are you watching TV?
-
Are you sleeping?
- What are you doing tonight?
- Is she learning English?
(See: Spelling of Verb+ing)
II. Contracted forms
We usually contract is or are to ’s or ’re in speech
and informal writing:
Is not =
isn’t, are not = aren’t am not = (no contracted form)
I am = I’m, he is=he’s, she is= she’s, it is= it’s,
you are= you’re, We are = we’re, they
are = they’re
!
We often omit the pronoun and auxiliary (is or are) when we repeat the
present continuous in the same sentence:
- James and Sally are spending
the evening together, watching a new video.
III. Short form of answer of question begun with am/is/are
Positive
answer: Yes, subject + am/ is/
are.
Negative
answer: No, subject + am not/
isn’t/ aren’t.
Example:
-
Are you studying English?
Yes,
I am.
No,
I’m not.
IV. Uses
The Present Progressive is used to express:
1. Things which are true now
The present continuous describes an action in progress at the moment of
speaking or around the time of speaking. The action is likely to continue after
the time of speaking, but is likely to stop at some point, i.e. it is
temporary:
a. An action which is happening now or at the moment of speaking.
Examples:
o
Is he sitting
or standing?
o
They are reading their books.
o
I’ll be with you in a minute. I’m just finishing
something in the kitchen.
o
Why aren't you doing your homework?
b. An action which is happening
around now or around the moment of speaking.
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.
o
I am not studying to become a
dentist.
o
I am reading the book Tom
Sawyer.
o
Are you working
on any special projects at work?
o
Aren't you teaching
at the university now?
c. Temporary actions/ situations
Happen around now or being in progress for a
limited period; sometimes may be in progress a moment of speaking or not.
Examples:
- I’m living
with my parents until I can find somewhere to live.
- They
are staying in Gold Diana Hotel.
- He
is going on holiday in Thailand with
his girlfriend.
- My
mother is teaching for Sydney
International School.
- I’m
feeding the neighbour’s cat this week while she’s in hospital.
==> Compare this with the use of the present simple for repeated actions.
- Graham’s a confirmed smoker. He smokes about fifty cigarettes a day.
(repeated action over a long period of time, possibly most of Graham’s life)
- Graham’s having a tough time at the office at the moment and he’s smoking about fifty cigarettes a day!
(repeated action in a temporary period)
* We also use
the Present Progressive to describe current trends.
- People
are becoming less tolerant of smoking there days.
* The
temporary characteristic of repeated action.
- She
is sitting up late these days to wait for her husband.
d. Repetition, Irritation and annoying habit
At this time Present progressive is used with Adverb of frequency especially "Always, constantly and forever”)
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:
o
She is always coming to class
late.
o
He is constantly talking. I
wish he would shut up.
o
I don't like them because they are
always complaining.
o
You are often looking at me.
o
You’re always biting your nails. Stop it!
o
The baby’s always making cute little
gurgling noises.
o
The neighbours are forever slamming doors
and shouting during the night.
o
I’m always forgetting people’s
birthdays. It’s so annoying.
* But sometimes show repeated
action only.
o
He is always helping people.
e. Series of events
You may hear the present continuous used in sports commentaries, when the action is in progress throughout the time of speaking:
- They’re now entering the back straight and El Garrouj is starting to pull away…
(… and he crosses the line two seconds ahead of his closest rival …see present simple)
2. The future arrangement (with future expression)
Sometimes, speakers use the
Present Continuous to indicate that something will or will not happen in the
near future.
Examples:
o
I am meeting some friends after
work.
o
I am not going to the party
tonight.
o
Is he visiting
his parents next weekend?
o
Isn't he coming
with us tonight?
==> Remember Non-Continuous Verbs
It is important to
remember that Non-Continuous
Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses. Instead of using Present
Continuous with these verbs, you must use Simple Present.
[See Non-Continuous
Verbs page 134]
Examples:
- She is loving this chocolate ice cream. Not Correct
- She loves this chocolate ice cream. Correct
V. Present Continuous Active / Passive
Receiver
action + Am/ is/ are + being + Past participle + (by…)
Examples:
- Right now, Tom is writing the letter. Active
- Right now, the letter is being written by Tom. Passive
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