The Present Progressive

What’s Happening at

the Party?

5

Focus on Grammar 2Part V, Units 15 and 16By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ WellsCopyright © 2006. Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Party TalkParty Talk

Hi Jessica. How’s the

party?

Hi Jessica. How’s the

party? Well…Well… Hi Lee.Hi Lee.

It’s great! I’m sorry

you’re ’re missingmissing all

the fun.

It’s great! I’m sorry

you’re ’re missingmissing all

the fun.

Me too. What’s ’s happeninghappening right

now?

Me too. What’s ’s happeninghappening right

now?

Right Now at the PartyRight Now at the Party

Lance karaoke.

Sam and Joy .

Max by himself and fun.

is singing

are dancing

is dancing having

FormForm

Be (not) Base Form of Verb + -ing Other Words

Carlos is opening

I am wearing a costume.

Joe and Lina are talking.

gifts.

Present Progressive = Be + Base Form of Verb + -ing

Subject

Use of Present Progressive

Use of Present Progressive

Use the present progressive to talk about actions that are or aren’t happening now.

Bob is dancing.

Now

Tina isn’t eating.

Practice 1Practice 1Use the present progressive to describe what is happening now.

1.

Example: She is hitting a piñata.

2. 3.

ContractionsContractions

Use contractions in speaking and informal writing.

listening to the DJ.We’re

Dan enjoying the party.isn’t

isIs he

areAre they ?

bringing gifts.

.

The verb be goes before the subject in questions.

dancing

He ?

They

QuestionsQuestions

Practice 2Practice 2 Change the statements to questions.

He is baking a cake.

Is he baking a cake?

1. They are leaving at 9 p.m.

2. We are wearing costumes to the party.

3. Janet is talking about work.

Are they leaving at 9 p.m.?

Are we wearing costumes to the party?

Is Janet talking about work?

He is baking a cakeExample:

I’m not following your lead because

you’re dancing too slowly!

I’m not following your lead because

you’re dancing too slowly!

No, I’m not.

No, I’m not.

Short AnswersShort Answers

We usually use short answers and contractions in speaking, but we can also use long answers.

Are you following my lead?

Are you following my lead?

Practice 3Practice 3Answer the question about each picture. Use short and long answers with contractions.

No, he isn’t.He’s pulling out a rabbit.

Example: Is he pulling out a mouse?

2. Are they wearing costumes?1. Is he winning the game?

ReferencesReferences

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education and its licensors. All rights reserved.