Present Continuous

I. Functions:

Present Continuous can be used to:

• Describe an on-going action at the current time (now, right now, at the moment, at present, at the time being, ...):

Example: My father is watering the garden.

My cats are chasing a mouse around the house.

• · Describe a temporary action/event/trend that may change in the future:

Example: Dave is studying economics at university.

Jacob is working on his project this week.

Young people are going crazy about local brands nowadays.

• · Talk about something that is out of the habit (today, this morning, this week, this month, this year, ...):

Example: He drinks coffee every morning but this morning he is having tea.

We ride our bike to school everyday but today we are taking the bus.

• · Express a complaint (be + always + Ving)

Example:That boy is always talking in class.

My neighbor is always singing karaoke so loudly at night.

• Describe a planned action in the future (= be going to):

Example:The government is building a bridge over this river soon.

We are going on a holiday next summer.

We RARELY use Present Continuous with:

• · Verbs of thinking and feeling: believe, dislike, hate, know, like, love, prefer, realise, recognize, remember, suppose, think (= believe), understand, want, wish

• · Verbs of the senses: appear (= seem), feel, look, smell, sound, taste

• · Others: agree, belong, disagree, need, owe, own, possess

II. Form:

+ Affirmative:

I + am + V-ing He/She/It + is + V-ing You/We/They + are + V-ing

+ Negative:

I + am not + V-ing He/She/It + is not + V-ing You/We/They + are not + V-ing

Shortened form: is not = isn't; are not = aren't

+ Question:

Am + I + V-ing

Is + he/she/it + V-ing

Are + you/we/they + V-ing

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Related posts:

Present Simple

Present Perfect

Talking about the future