We use the present continuous to:
✅ Express the idea that something is currently in occurrence now, at this very moment.
Ex.
- You are learning English now.
- I am speaking.
- Why aren’t you listening?
✅ Express the idea that we are in the process of completion of a longer action, which is in progress, which we may not be doing in the specific moment.
Ex:
- We are remodelling our house.
- I am studying to become a lawyer.
- I’m not reading any books right now.
✅ Express the idea that something will or will not occur in the near future.
Ex.
- We are going out to dinner after work.
-Is he coming to the party?
- I’m not going to work today.
✅ Express the idea that something irritating or surprising happens repeatedly, using words like always and constantly.
Ex:
- I don’t like her because she is always complaining.
- You are always coming to class late.
- Why are you constantly bothering me about this problem?
➡ These verbs are not normally conjugated in the continuous tense:
• hate, like, love, need, prefer, want, wish • believe, imagine, know, mean, realize, recognize, remember, suppose, understand • belong, concern, consist, contain, depend, involve, matter, need, owe, own, possess • appear, resemble, seem, • hear, see.
The present participle form
Basic rule: add -ing to the base verb.
Exceptions:
1. When the base verb ends with consonant+stressed vowel+consonant, double the last letter.
Ex: stop = stopping / run = running / begin = beginning
This does not apply if the last syllable of the base verb is not stressed: open = opening
2. When the base verb ends in -ie, change the -ie to -y.
Ex: lie = lying / die = dying
3. When the base verb ends with vowel+consonant+e, omit the e.
Ex: come = coming / mistake = mistaking
Let’s practice!
Complete the sentence with the verb in the present continuous:
(Write the answers in the comments section)
1. He ____________ (to sleep) now.
2. She ____________ (to drive) to the store.
3. We ____________ (to move) to Germany.
4. You ____________ (to go) to like this music.
5. I ____________ (to try) to fix my bike.
6. It ____________ (to go) to rain today.
7. We ____________ (to looking) for the keys.
8. He (to work) until 5 o’clock today.
9. She ____________ (to film) the scene.
10. They ____________ (to cook) dinner now.
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