Present Continuous

Present Continuous

IELTS EXPERT p.42

We use the present continuous to talk about

• actions happening now

• temporary situations

Actions happening now

• I'm trying to finish this report

• You're not listening to me

Temporary situations

• I'm working in a different office this week

• My computer isn't working at the moment

Form

To form the Present Continuous use be + -ing

Form

• POSITIVE: I'm, You're, He's, She's, It's, We're, They're waiting

• NEGATIVE: I'm not, You aren't, He isn't, We aren't, They aren't waiting

• QUESTION: Am I waiting?, Are you waiting?, Is she waiting?, Are they waiting?

Spelling Rules

Rules

• Most verbs add -ing - start - starting

• Verbs ending in -ee, add -ing. Agree - Agreeing

• Verbs ending in -e, drop the -e and add -ing. Hope - Hoping, live - living

• Verbs ending in -ie, change -ie to -y and add -ing. lie - lying, die - dying

• Verbs ending in one vowel + a consonant: double the final consonant and add -ing. Sit - Sitting, Stop - Stopping

Multiple Select

Which sentences refer to an action happening now?

• I'm waiting for a phone call right now.

• I'm currently looking for a new job.

• We're working on our presentation at the moment.

• Sales aren't doing very well this year.

Multiple Choice

Which sentences refer to an action happening around now?

• I'm waiting for a phone call right now.

• I'm currently looking for a new job.

• We're working on our presentation at the moment.

• Sales aren't doing very well this year.

Exercise

Complete the sentence with the Present Continuous form of the verb in parenthesis ( ) .

Fill in the Blanks

I'm so busy that I

(not spend) much time at home at the moment.

Fill in the Blanks

He doesn't like his current job, so he

(look for) a new one.

Fill in the Blanks

We

(not expect) the business to do well this year.

Fill in the Blanks

I

(hope) to start a new course next year.

Fill in the Blanks

The company ......(not do) very well, so they ...........(not employ) any new staff at present.

Fill in the Blanks

We

(get) a little nervous about our presentation this week.

Fill in the Blanks

I .........(write) the report now but I ......... (not find) it easy.

Fill in the Blanks

She can't speak to you now because she

(wait) for an important phone call.