PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE We use the present continuous

PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE

We use the present continuous : • To talk about activities that are going on at the time of speaking: now, at this moment. I am reading some grammar explanations. Mum can’t come to the phone because she is having a shower.

2. To talk about activities that happen regularly but only for a limited period of time ( temporary habits/routines) : I am only eating fruit and vegetables at the moment. ( while I’m on diet, not necessarily at the actual time of speaking) We are training every day this week to prepare for our next match.

3. to talk about future events that we have already fixed or arranged: I am getting married in June. ( the ceremony is booked, the invitations are ready) We are going to theatre tonight. ( We have got the tickets)

• Form • We form the present continuous tense using a present form of BE + - ING

Statements: Long Form I am learning English. You are learning English. She is learning English. He is learning English. It is learning English. Short form I'm learning English. You’re learning English. She’s learning English. He’s learning English. It’s learning English. We are learning English. They are learning English. We’re learning English. They’re learning English.

Negatives I am not doing my homework. You are not doing your homework. She is not doing her homework. He is not doing his homework. It is not doing its homework. We are not doing our homework. They are not doing their homework.

Questions Am I sleeping? Are You sleeping? Is she sleeping? Is it sleeping? Yes, I’m. No, I’m not. No , she isn’t. Yes, he’s. No, it isn’t. Are we sleeping? Are they sleeping? No, we aren’t. Yes, they’re.

Special rules for the spelling of – ing forms 1. When the verb ends with a consonant + e ( write, smile, come), we drop the final – e writing smiling coming

2. When the verb ends with one vowel + one consonant (put, run, sit), we double the final consonant ( except after – w and –x) putting running sitting

We use the following time adverbials with the present continuous: just, now, at the moment, at present

Their position in the sentence can be: 1. Between be and the –ing form of the verb: I am just writing a test. She is just having a bath.

2. At the end of the sentence: We are having lunch at the moment. We are learning English now. 3. At the beginning of the sentence: At present, many scientists are working on a cure against AIDS.

Some verbs ( called state verbs) are not usually used in a continuous tense: 1. Verbs about knowing or not knowing: believe doubt imagine know remember realise suppose understand

2. Verbs about appearance: appear , resemble, seem 3. Verbs about liking or not liking: hate, like, love, prefer 4. Verbs about senses: hear, see, smell, taste

5. Verbs about possessions: Belong, need , own , possess , want , wish 6. Some other verbs: Be, come from, contain, include