PRESENT CONTINUOUS

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

YEAR 1

2020-2021

Sophie is working in Cairo this week. Oliver, Alfie and Daisy are working hard for their end-of-year exams.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCfwLz4RUFU

We use the present continuous (am/is/are + -ing) to talk about temporary things which have begun but haven't finished. +-

They are often happening now, at this moment.

Here are some examples of things happening now.

• I'm just uploading some photos to Facebook and I'm sending a message to Billie.

• We're all riding camels and the sun's shining.

  They're waiting for me to get off the phone!

I'm not sure what 'temporary' means. Can I say 'I'm learning to drive', even if I'm not having a driving lesson right now?

• Yes, absolutely! You might not be having a driving lesson right at this moment, but it is temporary, so that's correct. We use the present continuous for longer situations like this too.

OK, I see what you mean. So that’s for things happening now, or round about now.

What about the future? Can I use the present continuous for the future?

Yes, I’m glad you asked me that. We use the present continuous for future arrangements with other people.

At eight I’m meeting Lucas, just for a quick coffee.

For questions you just change round the subject and the verb to be.

So, You are > Are you, then add the –ing form.

Sometimes you need a question word first.

• Are you working hard for the exam?

  What are you doing?

  Is anybody sitting here?

For negatives you add not after the verb to be.

Don't forget to use a contraction if you're speaking.

You're not really studying at all, are you? (or You aren't really studying…)

They aren't using the computer room at the moment.

This program isn't working.

That's fine, but I suppose there are some spelling rules for –ing forms?

• Yes, you're right. If a verb ends in e, you take off the e and add –ing

  have - having         ride - riding

• If a verb ends in a vowel + a consonant, the consonant is usually doubled before you add –ing.

  swim - swimming          run - running

• But be careful with verbs with more than two syllables where the stress isn't on the last syllable. With those you don't double the consonant.

  visit - visiting          open - opening   

OK, but what about two-syllable verbs where the stress is on the last syllable, like begin? 

If the stress is on the last syllable, you do double the final consonant.

begin - beginning    

Right, the present continuous seems quite easy to me. I'm understanding it perfectly!

Whoops! Sorry, you can't say 'I'm understanding it'.

Why not? I'm talking about something happening right now.

Yes, but there is a group of verbs which are called state verbs which we use for states (not actions) and we don't usually use these in the continuous form.

want - need - like - love - hate - prefer - believe - think - know - realise - understand - recognise - suppose - be - exist - appear - look - seem - belong - have (for possession) - own - feel - smell - taste

So these are verbs for talking about emotions, thinking, existing, appearing, possession and the senses.

Yes, excellent.

But wait a minute. What about, 'I'm thinking of coming with you tomorrow.' Or, 'I'm thinking about my girlfriend.'

Yes, they are correct. But the meaning of think there is 'having thoughts in your mind' or 'considering'. It's not the same as 'having an opinion' about something.

I think that song's brilliant.  (opinion)

She's thinking about studying archaeology. (considering / wondering about)

OK, so there are some exceptions. Like, 'I'm loving it.'

No, sorry, that's not an exception, that's wrong!

It can't be wrong!

Well, OK, maybe it's a new usage. English does change. But don't use it in exams!

Present continuous

Are the sentences true or false?

Multiple Choice

We use the present continuous for permanent states or situations.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

We use the present continuous for temporary situations.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

We often use the present continuous for things happening right now.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

We can use the present continuous for future arrangements.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

We can use the present continuous with all verbs.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

Some verbs – for talking about emotions, thinking, the senses, etc. – cannot be used in the continuous form.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

Sometimes the spelling of the infinitive form changes when we add -ing.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Present continuous

Write the present continuous form of the verb in brackets.

Fill in the Blank

I'm really busy – I _________ (study) for the exam.

Fill in the Blank

Right now we _____ (ride) camels!

Fill in the Blank

They said they _____ (have) a great time.

Fill in the Blank

Daisy _____ (download) an album.

Fill in the Blank

What _____ (you do) at the moment?

Fill in the Blank

They _____ (wait) for me in the café.

Fill in the Blank

_____ (Oliver work) hard?

Fill in the Blank

The weather's terrible, so we _____ (not go) walking much.

Present continuous

Choose the correct option.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

• The TV no is working.

• The TV is not working.

• The TV is not works.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

• She sending a message to Billie.

• She is send a message to Billie.

• She is sending a message to Billie.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

• Come on, the film's starting.

• Come on, the film's start.

• Come on, the film is start.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

• She's knowing Alfie very well.

• She knows Alfie very well.

• She knowing Alfie very well.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

• You going to Chinese classes?

• Are you going to Chinese classes?

• Do you going to Chinese classes?

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

• He going to buy some milk.

• He is go to buy some milk.

• He's going to buy some milk.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

• The price of food goes up at the moment.

• The price of food is going up at the moment.

• The price of food going up at the moment.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

• What are you doing?

• What are you do?

• What do you doing?

Present Continuous

https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/grammar/beginner-grammar/present-continuous