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Present Continuous Tense

The structure of the present continuous tense is:

subject + auxiliary verb + main verb be base + ing

Look at these examples:

subject auxiliary verb main verb

+ I am speaking to you.

+ You are reading this.

!he is not staying in London.

"e are not playing football.

# Is he $atching T%#

# &re they $aiting for 'ohn#

USE 1 Now

(se the )resent *ontinuous $ith ormal %erbs toexpress the idea that something is happening no$, at this very moment. It can also be used tosho$ that something is not happening no$.

-xamples:

You are learning -nglish no$. I am sitting . I am not standing .

Is he sitting or standing #

They are not watching television.

"hat are you doing #

USE 2 Longer Actions in rogress Now

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In -nglish, no$ can mean: this second, today, this month, this year, this century, and so on.

!ometimes, $e use the )resent *ontinuous to say that $e are in the process of doing a longeraction $hich is in progress/ ho$ever, $e might not be doing it at this exact second.

-xamples: 0&ll of these sentences can be said $hile eating dinner in a restaurant.1.

I am not studying to become a dentist. I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.

Are you wor!ing on any special projects at $ork#

USE " Near #uture

!ometimes, speakers use the )resent *ontinuous to indicate that something $ill or $ill nothappen in the near future.

-xamples:

I am meeting some friends after $ork. I am not going to the party tonight. Is he visiting his parents next $eekend#

Isn$t he coming $ith us tonight#

USE % &e'etition and Irritation with (Always(

The )resent *ontinuous $ith $ords such as al$ays or constantly expresses the idea thatsomething irritating or shocking often happens. otice that the meaning is like !imple)resent , but $ith negative emotion. 2emember to put the $ords al$ays or constantly

bet$een be and verb+ing.

-xamples:

!he is always coming to class late. 3e is constantly tal!ing . I $ish he $ould shut up.

I don4t like them because they are always com'laining .

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&E)E)*E& Non+,ontinuous -erbs. )ixed -erbs

It is important to remember that on *ontinuous %erbs cannot be used in any continuoustenses. &lso, certain non continuous meanings for 5ixed %erbs cannot be used in continuoustenses. Instead of using )resent *ontinuous $ith these verbs, you must use !imple )resent .

-xamples:

'kl/!he is loving this chocolate ice cream. Not Correct !he loves this chocolate ice cream. Correct

6. 'ohn 0read1 a book no$.

7. "hat 0you do1 tonight#

8. 'ack and )eter 0$ork1 late today.

9. !ilvia 0not listen1 to music.

. 5aria 0sit1 next to )aul.

;. 3o$ many other students 0you study1 $ith#