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Present Continuous
We use the Present Continuous (Present Progressive) when talking about actions that are happening at the moment (present or temporary action).
For example, "Alex is writing a new book" can have one or two meanings, depending on the situation.
1. He is writing the book at this very moment. (present acitivity)
2. Alex is in the process of writing a new book. (Even though he is having a nap at this exact moment.)
We may guess that:- He probably spends a few hours a day working on it.
- He plans to finish the book or make a break soon. (temporary action).
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We also use the Present Continuous for actions that will be done in the future. (future arrangement)
- I'm flying to Rome next week.
Use
- Present or temporary actions
- Future (personal) arrangements
- Irritation over something or somebody in the present
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USE 2 (future arrangements) might seem a little confusing to an ESL learner because it's completely different from USE 1. Therefore, from my experience, ESL learners tend to make a lot of mistakes as they begin to use it. One mistake is to use the Future Simple to express future arrangements, while the correct tense would be the Present Continuous or the going to form.
I'm going to go to my grandma.
I'm going abroad this summer (in both sentences the speaker is speaking about plans)
I will go to my grandma (the speaker decided to go there in the moment of speaking)
Form
Contracted forms (more)
I + am = I'm
is + not = isn't
are + not = aren't
he + is = he's
she + is = she's
it + is= it's
The Present Continuous requires:
- the proper conjugation of the auxiliary verb "to be".
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st person | I am | We are |
| 2nd person | You are | You are |
| 3rd person | He / she / it is | They are |
- the "-ing" form of the verb (present participle)
Examples:
- try + ing = trying
- go +ing = going
Read about exceptions.
Declarative sentences:
| Subject | + | Auxiliary verb | + | Verb + ing |
| I/a dog etc. | is / are | going / taking |
| Examples | Use | |
 |
He is getting married this month | (Use 2) |
|
They are swimming in the sea | (Use 1) |
|
I'm having my first driving lesson this week | (Use 2) |
|
I'm studying to become lawyer one day | (Use 1) |
|
I'm drinking hot coffee now | (Use 1) |
|
She is always asking me stupid questions. | (Use 3) |
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I'm having a shower now (Use 1) |
Questions:
| Auxiliary verb | + | Subject | + | Verb + ing |
| is/are | I/a dog etc. | going/taking |
| Examples | Use | |
|
Is she eating my cake now? | (Use 1) |
|
Are they having the party on Friday or Saturday? | (Use 2) |
|
Are you meeting David today? | (Use 2) |
|
Is Mary having breakfast now? | (Use 1) |
Negative sentences:
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| Subject | + | Auxiliary verb+not | + | Verb + ing |
| I/a dog etc. | isn't/aren't | going/taking |
| Examples | Use | |
|
He is not joking | (Use 1) |
|
We aren't waiting for my uncle | (Use 1) |
|
He is not going to school tomorrow | (Use 2) |