Present Continuous

Present Continuous
Use, form and

exercises
FORM
 [am/is/are + present participle]

 Examples:
– You are watching TV.
– Are you watching TV?
– You are not watching TV.
Positive Negative Question

I am speaking. I am not speaking. Am I speaking?
You are speaking. You are not speaking. Are you speaking?
We are speaking. We are not speaking. Are we speaking?
They are speaking. They are not speaking. Are they speaking?
He is speaking. He is not speaking. Is he speaking?
She is speaking. She is not speaking. Is she speaking?
It is speaking. It is not speaking. Is it speaking?
USE 1 Now
 Use the Present Continuous with Continuous Verbs to express

the idea that something is happening now, at this very moment.
It can also be used to show that something is not happening
now.
 Examples:
– You are learning English now.
– You are not swimming now.
– Are you sleeping?
– I am sitting.
– I am not standing.
– Is he sitting or standing?
– They are reading their books.
– They are not watching television.
– What are you doing?
– Why aren't you doing your homework?
USE 2 Longer Actions in Progress Now
 In English, "now" can mean: this second, today, this

month, this year, this century, and so on. Sometimes,
we use the Present Continuous to say that we are in
the process of doing a longer action which is in
progress; however, we might not be doing it at this
exact second.
 Examples:
– I am studying to become a doctor.
– I am not studying to become a dentist.
– I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.
– I am not reading any books right now.
– Are you working on any special projects at work?
– Aren't you teaching at the university now?
USE 3 Near Future
 Sometimes, speakers use the Present

Continuous to indicate that something will or
will not happen in the near future.
 Examples:
– I am meeting some friends after work.
– I am not going to the party tonight.
– Is he visiting his parents next weekend?
– Isn't he coming with us tonight?
USE 4 Repetition and Irritation with
"Always"
 The Present Continuous with words such as

"always" or "constantly" expresses the idea that
something irritating or shocking often happens.
Notice that the meaning is like Simple Present, but
with negative emotion. Remember to put the words
"always" or "constantly" between "be" and
"verb+ing."
 Examples:
– She is always coming to class late.
– He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up.
– I don't like them because they are always complaining.
REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs/
Mixed Verbs
 It is important to remember that Non-Continuous

Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses.
Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed
Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. Instead
of using Present Continuous with these verbs, you
must use Simple Present.
 Examples:
– She is loving this chocolate ice cream. Not Correct
– She loves this chocolate ice cream. Correct
Non-Continuous Verbs
 These verbs are usually things you cannot see somebody

doing. These verbs are rarely used in continuous tenses. They
include:
 Abstract Verbs
– to be, to want, to cost, to seem, to need, to care, to contain, to
owe, to exist...
 Possession Verbs
– to possess, to own, to belong...
 Emotion Verbs
– to like, to love, to hate, to dislike, to fear, to envy, to mind...
 Examples:
– He is needing help now. Not Correct
– He needs help now. Correct
– He is wanting a drink now. Not Correct
– He wants a drink now. Correct
Mixed Verbs
 The group called "Mixed Verbs," is the smallest

group. These verbs have more than one meaning. In
a way, each meaning is a unique verb. Some
meanings behave like "Non-Continuous Verbs,"
while other meanings behave like "Normal Verbs."
 Mixed Verbs
– to appear, to feel, to have, to hear, to look, to see, to
weigh...
– For more information and exercises: http://
www.englishpage.com/verbpage/types.html
ADVERB PLACEMENT
 The examples below show the placement for

grammar adverbs such as: always, only,
never, ever, still, just, etc.
 Examples:
– You are still watching TV.
– Are you still watching TV?
Exercises:
 www.rafamoreno.com/Rafa/PCont.htm
 www.rafamoreno.com/Rafa/PresentSvsC.htm

Present Continuous

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Present Continuous

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Present Continuous

Use, form and

 [am/is/are + present participle]

Positive Negative Question

 Use the Present Continuous with Continuous Verbs to express

 In English, "now" can mean: this second, today, this

 Sometimes, speakers use the Present

 The Present Continuous with words such as

 It is important to remember that Non-Continuous

 These verbs are usually things you cannot see somebody

 The group called "Mixed Verbs," is the smallest

 The examples below show the placement for

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