The Present Continuous

Tense

Use and form

The Present Continuous Tense is used for

1. Actions which are happening at or around the moment of speaking.

• Now I’m doing the washing up.• She is working very hard

nowadays.2. Temporary situations.

• I’m staying with a friend at the moment.

ACTIONS THAT ARE HAPPENINGAT PRESENT (1)

They are dancing right now.

What is she doing?

• She is reading a book.

TEMPORARY SITUATIONS (2)

They normally play tennis.

But this week they are skating.

I’d love to see you. Are you busy?

• Yes, I’m very busy. I’m painting my flat this week.

The Present Continuous Tense is used for

3. Changing or developing situations.

• His English is getting better.

• It’s getting colder.

4. Fixed arrangements in the near future.

• They are getting married next week.

CHANGING SITUATIONS (3)

Yesterday it was very sunny.

Today it’s raining more and more.

What’s wrong with our planet?

• It’s getting warmer.

FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS (4)

They are celebrating a party next weekend.

• We’re leaving tomorrow.

Form – am, are, is + ing form

• Affirmative I am sleeping.He/she/it is sleeping.You/we/they are sleeping.• Negative I am not (I’m not) singing.He/she/it is not (isn’t) singing.You/we/they are not (aren’t) singing.

am, is, are + ing form

Form - continued

• Interrogative Am I dreaming?Is he/she/it dreaming?Are you/we/they dreaming?• Short answersYes, I am/he is/we are…No, I’m not/he isn’t/we aren’t…

VERB + ing (spelling rules)

listen + ing = listeningdie (-iey) + ing = dyingwrite + ing = writinghop + p + ing = hoppingtravel + l + ing = travelling

TIME EXPRESSIONS

now, right now, at the moment, today, nowadays, this week…

They are throwing snowballs now