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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We hope this lesson has been helpful for you.

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