PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE This tense describes an action

PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE

This tense describes an action happening now. It’s formed by verb “be” + gerund (…ing) (+) I’m preparing a presentation for my students now. (+) The children are playing in the garden at the moment. (+) She’s watching a film on TV right now. (-) I’m not listening to music. (-) You aren’t studying Mathematics. (-) We aren’t travelling to Santa Fe. (? ) Are they having dinner? Yes, they are. / No, they aren’t. (? ) Are you coming here by bike? Yes, I am. / No, I’m not. / Yes, we are. /No, we aren’t. (? ) Is the teacher teaching a new topic? Yes, she is. / No, she isn’t.

TIME EXPRESSIONS • Now • at the moment • at present • right now • They have similar meaning. (ahora, en este momento).

SPELLING RULES • Most verbs add “ing” – working / buy – buying –play - playing • Verbs ending in “e”: remove the “e” and add “ing” – live – living take – taking / write – writing / decide – deciding / invite - inviting • Verbs ending in one vowel + one consonant: double the consonant and add “ing” – travelling / get – getting (but open – opening / happen – happening – tightening) • Verbs ending in “w”: add “ing” (“w” is not considered a consonant in English language)- row – rowing / blow – blowing / flow - flowing

Present Continuous – Present Simple • The Present Continuous describes an action happening now. - I’m learning English at the moment. (Present Continuous). (The action is happening now) - She’s reading a book now. • The Present Simple describes an action that happens again and again. - She does exercise every day. (Present Simple). (The action has a frequency) - They go to university classes from Monday to Friday.

Questions • Yes / No questions. A: Are you leaving now? B: Yes, I am. / No, I’m not. / Yes, we are. / No, we aren’t. A: Is she working in a small company? B: Yes, she is. / No, she isn’t.

• Wh questions. • A: Where is she working? B: She’s working in a small company. A: What are you doing? B: I’m doing my homework. / We’re doing our homework. A: Where is he going? B: He’s going home. / He’s going to the bar. / He’s going to his friend’s house.

We don’t use Present Continuous with STATE VERBS State verbs describe feelings and situations. For example, be, have, want, understand, know, like, etc. Examples: I want a cup of coffee. (Present Simple) I’m wanting a cup of coffee. (Present Continuous) WRONG She doesn’t understand the formula. (Present Simple) She isn’t understanding the formula. (Present Continuous) WRONG I like love stories. (Present Simple) I’m liking love stories. (Present Continuous) WRONG