Present Continuous

Present Continuous (int)

It is used to show that an action is happening now.

FORM:

* It is formed by using: Pronoun (subject) + am/is/are + ing.

YOU ARE EATING NOW.

* Negatives are made adding the word "not".

YOU ARE NOT EATING NOW.

* Questions are formed by inverting the Pronoun (subject) and am/is/are.

ARE YOU EATING NOW?.

For most verbs we add -ing to the base form to make the -ing form:

Exceptions:

1.- When the verb ends in -e, we take off the -e and -add -ing

Move > moving            face > facing          come > coming.

2.- When the verb ends in a vowel followed by a single consonant and if the last syllable is stressed, then the consonant is doubled.

Commit > committing              prefer > preferring              rub > rubbing

Exception:  Cover > covering             remember > remembering

3.- When the verb ends in a vowel + L, we double the consonant.

Travel > travelling                 control > controlling

USES: Now

It express the idea that something is happening or not happening now.

Examples: Ann is in her car. She is on her way to work. She is driving now.

This means: she is driving now, at the time of speaking. The action is not finished.

 

- You are learning English now.

- Are you sleeping now?



Longer Actions in Progress Now

In English, "NOW" can mean: this second, today, this month, this year, this century, etc. 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.

Example:

 

- I am studying to become a doctor.

- I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.

These actions are not necessarily happening at the time of speaking.

Near Future

We 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?

We use it when we talk about changes happening around now:

Example:

- The population of the world is rising very fast. (Not 'rises')

- Is your English getting better? (NOT 'does your English getting better')

USES: 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.

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.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct verb.

'You ____ ___________ hard today'. 'Yes, I have a lot to do.'

• ARE STARTING

• IS GETTING

• ARE WORKING

• IS MAKING

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct verb.

I ______ __________________ for Christine. Do you know where she is?

• AM LOOKING

• AM GETTING

• AM FINDING

• AM MISSING

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct verb.

It __ _________ dark. Shall I turn on the lights?

• IS GETTING

• ARE PLAYING

• IS BECOMING

• IS STARTING

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct verb.

They haven't got anywhere to live at the moment. They ______ _________ with friends until they find somewhere.

• ARE GETTING

• ARE STAYING

• ARE FINDING

• ARE LOOKING

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct verb.

Are you ready, Jack? Yes, I ____ ___________

• AM LIVING

• AM WAITING

• AM GETTING

• AM COMING

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct verb.

Have you got an umbrella? It _____ ______ to rain.

• IS BECOMING

• IS STAYING

• IS TRYING

• IS STARTING

Multiple Select

Choose the correct verbs. (2 options)

You ____ _______ a lot of noise. Could you be quieter? I ___ ___________ to concentrate.

• AM STARTING

• AM LOOKING

• AM TRYING

• ARE MAKING

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct verb.

Why are all these people here? What _______________

• ARE GOING

• IS LOOKING

• IS HAPPENING

• ARE HAPPENING

Multiple Select

Complete the sentence. Choose the correct option.

The population of the world ____ ________ very fast.

• IS GROWING

• IS RISING

• ARE RISING

Multiple Select

Complete the sentence. Choose the correct option.

Kevin is still ill but he ___________ better slowly.

• IS WORKING

• IS GETTING

• IS FEELING

Multiple Select

Complete the sentence. Choose the correct option.

The world ___________ . Things never stay the same.

• ARE CHANGING

• IS PLAYING

• IS CHANGING

Multiple Select

Complete the sentence. Choose the correct option.

The cost of living _______________________. Every year things are more expensive.

• IS IMPROVING

• IS GROWING

• IS INCREASING

Multiple Select

Complete the sentence. Choose the correct option.

The economic situation is already very bad and it _______________ worse.

• IS MAKING

• IS GETTING

• IS TURNING