Present Continuous

Fabio Leonardo Corts

Content Table

Structure Meaning & Use

Future meaning Stative Verbs

Exercises

Structure

Affirmative Statements Subject I You He She It We They are Verb to be am are is working today. Verb + ing

Negative Statements

Subject
I You He

Verb to be
am are is

Not

Verb + ing

not

working

today.

She

It
We They are

Yes/No Questions

Verb to be
Am Are Is

Subject
I You He She

Verb + ing

working

Today

It
we Are they

Information Questions
Wh- Word Verb to Subject be Where How Am Are I You He working Today ? Verb + ing ?

Why

Is She
It we

Where

Are

they

 Do not use contractions in affirmative short answers Do not use subject in questions when Who or What is the subject. Who is coming]? What is happening?

Meaning and Use

 Use the present continuous for actions that are happening in the moment the speaker is talking.
We are learning the present continuous. Examples?

 Use the present continuous for actions that are in progress in but not happening in the moment the speaker is talking.
Im looking for a girlfriend. Examples?

 Use the present continuous for changing situations.

My English is improving.

Examples?

 Use the present continuous for action that are going to happen in a near future. Use expressions like: this afternoon/ night, tomorrow, this weekend, next week/month etc.
Im visiting my aunt next month Examples?

Stative Verbs
Many stative verbs are not generally used with the present continuous: know, mean, own, seem and understand.
Do you know her? CORRECT Are you knowing her? INCORRECT

 Some stative verbs can also be used in present continuous but they change their meaning.
I have a cat - Im having a great time David looks tired - David is looking at you I see her - Im seeing her This tates salty - He is tasting the soup The hen weights 3 pounds They are weighting the hen

Exercises

Complete the dialog with tthe simple present or present continuous Doctor: What ______ (seem) to be a problem? Rita: I _______ (not/know); my head _______ (hurt) and my head ______ (ache). D: You _______ (look) pale. I _______ its probably the flu.

 R: Oh, no! I _______(have) a hard time at work right now. I cant get sick now! D: I ________ (think) about your health right know.

Arnold
Visit her granny (Next week)
Spend next weekend with her family

Mary
Not visit her granny (Next week) Practice squash all weekend Not take a short vacation (Next month)

Go on a trip (Next month)