Present Continuous Tense
How do we make the Present Continuous Tense?
Quote:
The structure of the present continuous tense is:
subject + auxiliary verb + main verb (ing form)
Look at these examples:
subject ____________ auxiliary verb __________ main verb
+ ___I ____________________am ______________speaking to you.
+ ___ You _________________are ______________-reading this.
- ___She _________________is not ______________staying in London.
- ___We _________________are not _____________playing football.
? ___Is he _________________________________ watching TV?
? __Are they _______________________________ waiting for John?
How do we use the Present Continuous Tense?
We use the present continuous tense to talk about:
Present continuous tense for action happening now
a) for action happening exactly now
I am eating my lunch.
b) for action happening around now
The action may not be happening exactly now, but it is happening just before and just after now, and it is not permanent or habitual.
John is going out with Mary.
Examples:
Look at these examples:
Muriel is learning to drive.
I am living with my sister until I find an apartment.
Present continuous tense for the future
We can also use the present continuous tense to talk about the future—if we add a future word!! We must add (or understand from the context) a future word. "Future words" include, for example, tomorrow, next year, in June, at Christmas etc. We only use the present continuous tense to talk about the future when we have planned to do something before we speak. We have already made a decision and a plan before speaking.
I am taking my exam next month.
Look at these examples:
We're eating in a restaurant tonight. We've already booked the table..
They can play tennis with you tomorrow. They're not working.
When are you starting your new job?
How do we make the Present Continuous Tense?
Quote:
The structure of the present continuous tense is:
subject + auxiliary verb + main verb (ing form)
Look at these examples:
subject ____________ auxiliary verb __________ main verb
+ ___I ____________________am ______________speaking to you.
+ ___ You _________________are ______________-reading this.
- ___She _________________is not ______________staying in London.
- ___We _________________are not _____________playing football.
? ___Is he _________________________________ watching TV?
? __Are they _______________________________ waiting for John?
How do we use the Present Continuous Tense?
We use the present continuous tense to talk about:
- action happening now
- action in the future
Present continuous tense for action happening now
a) for action happening exactly now
I am eating my lunch.
b) for action happening around now
The action may not be happening exactly now, but it is happening just before and just after now, and it is not permanent or habitual.
John is going out with Mary.
Examples:
Look at these examples:
Muriel is learning to drive.
I am living with my sister until I find an apartment.
Present continuous tense for the future
We can also use the present continuous tense to talk about the future—if we add a future word!! We must add (or understand from the context) a future word. "Future words" include, for example, tomorrow, next year, in June, at Christmas etc. We only use the present continuous tense to talk about the future when we have planned to do something before we speak. We have already made a decision and a plan before speaking.
I am taking my exam next month.
Look at these examples:
We're eating in a restaurant tonight. We've already booked the table..
They can play tennis with you tomorrow. They're not working.
When are you starting your new job?