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Present Continuous

The document explains the Present Continuous tense, which indicates ongoing actions happening at the moment of speaking or temporary situations. It provides examples of usage, including for definite future arrangements and temporary habits, and discusses how to form contractions and negatives in this tense. Additionally, it includes practice exercises for learners to apply their understanding of the Present Continuous tense.

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Gaston Ishida Contador
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
3 views

Present Continuous

The document explains the Present Continuous tense, which indicates ongoing actions happening at the moment of speaking or temporary situations. It provides examples of usage, including for definite future arrangements and temporary habits, and discusses how to form contractions and negatives in this tense. Additionally, it includes practice exercises for learners to apply their understanding of the Present Continuous tense.

Uploaded by

Gaston Ishida Contador
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PRESENT CONTINUOUS

WHAT IS PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE?

 Tenses form the biggest part of English grammar and without tenses, it is also impossible
to determine the time of action. Present Continuous tense is a sub-type of present tense
which suggests an ongoing action. So if you are jogging, or are reading or even if you are
writing, these actions are all ongoing, suggesting present continuous tense.
 Present Continuous Tense Examples
 I am going to study at MIT.
 We are driving to the metro station.
 She is sitting idly in the class.
 He is brewing some fresh coffee for the guests.
 You are starting lunch before time again today.
 Thus, to define any ongoing action within a particular moment or time is the present
continuous tense. Present Continuous as the name suggests, is an action that is going on
continuously in the present.
PRESENT USES

 1: First, we use the present continuous for things that are


happening at the moment of speaking. These things
usually last for quite a short time and they are not finished
when we are talking about them.

 I'm working at the moment.


 Please call back as we are eating dinner now.
 Julie is sleeping.
 2: We can also use this tense for other kinds of temporary
situations, even if the action isn't happening at this
moment.
 John's working in a bar until he finds a job in his field. (He
might not be working now.)
 I'm reading a really great book.
 She's staying with her friend for a week.
 Compare this with the present simple, which is used for
permanent situations that we feel will continue for a long
time.
 I work in a school. (I think this is a permanent situation.)
 I'm working in a school. (I think this is a temporary
situation.)
3: We can use the present continuous for temporary or new habits (for
normal habits that continue for a long time, we use the present
simple). We often use this with expressions like 'these days' or 'at the
moment’. He's eating a lot these days.
• She's swimming every morning (she didn't use to do this).
• You're smoking too much.
 4: Another present continuous use is for habits that are not regular,
but that happen very often. In this case we usually use an adverb
like 'always', 'forever' or 'constantly'. Often, we use the present
continuous in this way to talk about an annoying habit.
 You're forever losing your keys!
 She's constantly missing the train.
 Lucy's always smiling!
FUTURE USES

 5: The next use is for definite future arrangements (with a


future time word). In this case we have already made a
plan and we are pretty sure that the event will happen in
the future.
 I'm meeting my father tomorrow.
 We're going to the beach at the weekend.
 I'm leaving at three.
CONTRACTIONS IN THE PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
(CONTINUOUS)

 In general we contract (or shorten) the subject (the person or thing


doing the action), and form of be:
 I am > I'm - I'm going to the store in about ten minutes.
 He is > He's, She is > She's, It is > It's - It's raining cats and dogs.
 We are > We're, You are > You're, They are > They're – We're
catching the 9:00 flight.
 Save the long forms for when you want to create emphasis.
 You are not going out tonight!
NEGATIVES IN THE PRESENT PROGRESSIVE (CONTINUOUS)

 Spelling Tip
 When shortening a form of be and negative, just remove
the o in not and add an apostrophe (') is not > isn't are not
> aren't
 The negative in the present progressive tense is created
using am not, is not or are not together with the ing form
(present participle) of the verb.
YES/NO QUESTIONS IN THE PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
(CONTINUOUS)
 To ask a question that will be answered with either a yes or no,
start with Am, Is or Are, then choose your subject (the person or
thing doing the action), followed by the ing (present participle)
form of the verb and then the rest of your question.
EXAMPLES

1.Am I talking too much?

2.Is that your dog barking?

3.Are you participating in the competition next week?


FILL IN THE CORRECT FORM OF THE PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
 The team members ______________ late to finish the bid. (stay)
 What _______Arnie ____________ over there? (do)
 _______ you __________ a big wedding? (plan)
 Tim is helping you put the lights up, ___________?
 The computers _____ finally ____________ like they're supposed to. (run)
 _________ Ann _________ in from New York tonight? (fly)
 The customers aren't getting the price quote this week, ____________?
 I________________ Peter for a drink later. (meet)
 How much money ________ they _________ in the company?(invest)
 He ___________ to you. (not lie) He ____________ the truth. (tell)
BASED ON THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS EXAMPLES AND
RULES GIVEN ABOVE, PRACTICE THESE SENTENCES

 We __________ (eat) lunch right now.


 She _______ (read) a book in the garden.
 They _________ (listen in negative) to the music. (not paying
attention right now)
 ____ it ______ (rain) outside?
 I _________ (learn) English from your teacher.
 They ________ (run) a marathon at the club.
 The sun _________ (set) beautifully.

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