Present Continuous Tense
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Grammar explanations
Present Continuous uses Present Continuous passive Present Continuous spelling rules Present Continuous for future |
Exercises Present Continuous |
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Diagram
We use The Present Continuous Tense when we are talking about something happening at this moment or around the time of speaking. The picture below shows the way this tense can be demonstrated.
Forms
Present Continuous Tense is also called: Present Progressive and it is built in the way shown below. The most important thing to remember is the correct way of using the verb "BE" with the subjects of the sentences.
| Affirmative sentences | Short forms | |
|---|---|---|
| I | I am writing a letter now. | I'm |
| you | You are writing a letter now. | You're |
| he / she / it | He / She is writing a letter now. | He's |
| we / you / they | We / You / They are writing a letter now. | We're |
When you want to build a negative sentence in this tense you should use NOT after the form of the verb "BE". In speech we use contracted forms.
| Negative sentences | Short forms | |
|---|---|---|
| I | I am not writing a letter now. | I'm not |
| you | You are not writing a letter now. | You aren't |
| he / she / it | He / She is not writing a letter now. | He / She isn't. |
| we / you / they | We / You / They are not writing a letter now. | We / You / They aren't. |
When you want to build a negative sentence in Present Continuous Tense you should change the order of words (use the inversion) and put the form of verb "BE" in front of the subject of the sentence.
| Questions | |
|---|---|
| I | Am I writing a letter now? |
| you | Are you writing a letter now? |
| he / she / it | Is he / she writing a letter now? |
| we / you / they | Are we / you / they writing a letter now? |
Special verbs
There is a group of verbs which basically are not used in Present Continuous. These verbs can be classified into following categories:
| Verbs of senses | feel, hear, see, smell, notice, observe (=notice), |
|---|---|
| Verbs expressing feelings and emotions | admire, adore, appreciate, care for, desire, detest, dislike, fear, hate, like, loathe, love, mind, respect, value, want, with |
| Verbs referring to mental activities | agree, appreciate, assume, believe, expect, feel, forget, know, mean, perceive, realize, recall, recognize, recollect, remember, see, see through, suppose, think ( = have an opinion), trust, understand |
HAVE
| Affirmative sentences | Negative sentences | Questions |
| I am having a shower. | I am not having a shower. | Am I having a shower? |
| You are having a shower. | You are not having a shower. | Are you having a shower? |
| He / She is having a shower. | He / Shedoes not have a car. | Is he / she having a shower? |
| We / You / They are having a shower. | We / You / They are not having a shower. | Are we / you / they having a shower? |
DO
| Affirmative sentences | Negative sentences | Questions |
| I am doing an exercise. | I am not doing an exercise. | Am I doing an exercise? |
| You are doing an exercise. | You are not doing an exercise. | Are you doing an exercise? |
| He / She is doing an exercise. | He / She is not doing an exercise. | Is he / she doing an exercise? |
| We / You / They are doing an exercise. | We / You / They are not doing an exercise. | Are we / you / they doing an exercise? |
Modal verbs: can, may, must, need etc. ARE NOT used in Present Progressive
Signal words
Present Progressive is often used with the words listed in boxes below. Though it is not always necessary to use these words if it obvious from the situation which tense should be used.
| situations now | now, right now, at the moment, just |
|---|---|
| temporary situations | these days |
| situations in the future | next week, next month, tomorrow, next winter, tomorrow morning etc. |
| situations which happen repeatedly | always, constantly, continually, forever, perpetually, repeatedly |
| the words denoting using Present Progressive |
Look! Listen! Watch out! |