Present Continuous
Present Continuous
Present Continuous
This tense is formed using two components: the verb BE (in the present tense), and the -ING form
of a verb. Here are the rules, using the example verb "sing":
With many verbs, you can simply add -ING to the end of the verb. However, with some verbs, you
need to change the ending a little. Here are the rules:
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walk - walking
BE CAREFUL! Some verbs are not used in the continuous form - see below.
The verbs in the list below are normally used in the simple form, because they refer to states, rather
than actions or processes:
Senses / Perception
feel*, hear, see*, smell, taste
Opinion
assume, believe, consider, doubt, feel (= think), find (= consider), suppose,
think*
Mental states
forget, imagine, know, mean, notice, recognize, remember, understand
Emotions / desires
envy, fear, dislike, hate, hope, like, love, mind, prefer, regret, want, wish
Measurement
contain, cost, hold, measure, weigh
Others
look (=resemble), seem, be (in most cases), have (when it means to possess)*
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9. Mike / smile at / me ____________________________________________
10. He / run / to catch / the bus ______________________________________
11. Mike / dance/ in / a / disco _______________________________________
12. He / yawn____________________________________________________
II. Change the following sentences from Simple Present into Present Continuous or vice
versa.
III. Write sentences about what these people are doing tomorrow.
5. I / celebrating / birthday.______________________________________
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Present Simple or Present Continuous?
Introduction
The simple present tense is often confused with the present continuous tense. This page will explain
when to use each one.
Habits Actions which happen regularly (every day, every week, etc.)
States Things which do not often change (opinions, conditions, etc.)
A temporary action happening Something which is going on right now (but it will stop in the
now future)
A definite plan for the future Something we intend to do, usually in the near future
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Here are some examples:
Next week, my friends and I ___________ (go) camping in the woods. I _______________
(organize) the food, because I ______________ (like) cooking. Dave _____________ (have) a big
car with a trailer, so he ______________ (plan) the transportation. Sam ____________ (bring) the
tent -- he __________ (go) camping every year, so he _____________ (have) a great tent and lots
of other equipment. My wife ____________ (think) we're crazy. She _________ (like) holidays in
comfortable hotels, so she _________ (take) a trip to Paris instead.