8/11/2019 Present Continuous Form Lesson

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PRESENT CONTINUOUS FORM

[am/is/are + present participle]

We often use the present continuous tense in English. It is very

different from the simple present tense, both in structure and in use.

Examples:

You are watchingTV.

Areyou watchingTV?

You are not watchingTV.

Complete List of Present Continuous Forms

USE 1 Now

Use the Present Continuous withNormal Verbsto express the idea that something ishappening now, at this very moment. It can also be used to show that something is nothappening now.

Examples:

You are learningEnglish now. You are not swimmingnow.

Areyou sleeping?

I am sitting.

I am not standing.

Ishe sittingor standing?

They are readingtheir books.

They are not watchingtelevision.

What areyou doing?

Why aren'tyou doingyour homework?

USE 2 Longer Actions in Progress Now

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In English, "now" can mean: this second, today, this month, this year, this century, andso on. Sometimes, we use the Present Continuous to say that we are in the process ofdoing a longer action which is in progress; however, we might not be doing it at thisexact second.

Examples: (All of these sentences can be said while eating dinner in a restaurant.)

I am studyingto become a doctor.

I am not studyingto become a dentist.

I am readingthe book Tom Sawyer.

I am not readingany books right now.

Areyou workingon any special projects at work?

Aren'tyou teachingat the university now?

USE 3 Near Future

Sometimes, speakers use the Present Continuous to indicate that something will or willnot happen in the near future.

Examples:

I am meetingsome friends after work.

I am not goingto the party tonight.

Ishe visitinghis parents next weekend?

Isn'the comingwith us tonight?

USE 4 Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

The Present Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the ideathat something irritating or shocking often happens. Notice that the meaning islikeSimple Present,but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words "always" or"constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing."

Examples:

She is always comingto class late.

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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 thatNon-Continuous Verbscannot be used in anycontinuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings forMixed Verbscannot beused in continuous tenses. Instead of using Present Continuous with these verbs, youmust useSimple Present.

Examples:

She is lovingthis chocolate ice cream. Not Correct

She lovesthis 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 stillwatching TV.

Are you stillwatching TV?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

Right now, Tom is writingthe letter.ACTIVE

Right now, the letter is being writtenby Tom. PASSIVE

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