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Please look at the picture carefully and describe the actions happening now

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Let's understand the structure

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(also called Present Progressive)

We often use the Present Continuous tense in English. It is very different from the Present Simple tense, both in structure and in use.

How do we make the Present Continuous tense?

The structure of the Present Continuous tense is:

subject

+

auxiliary be

+

main verb

conjugated in Present Simple

am, are, is present participle (-ing)

The auxiliary verb (be) is conjugated in the Present Simple: am, are, is

The main verb is invariable in present participle form: -ing

For negative sentences we insert not between the auxiliary verb and the main verb.

For question sentences, we exchange the subject and the auxiliary verb.

Look at these example sentences with the Present Continuous tense:

subject

auxiliary verb

main verb

How do we use the Present Continuous tense?

We use the Present Continuous to talk about:

action happening now

action in the future

Present Continuous for action happening now

a) for action happening exactly now

I am eating my lunch.

The action is happening now.

Look at these images. Right now you are looking at this screen and at the same time...

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 looking for a new job.

The action is happening "around" now.

Look at these examples:

Muriel is learning to drive.

I am living with my sister until I find an apartment.

Present Continuous 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.

A firm plan or programme exists now.

The action is in the future.

Look at these examples:

We're eating at Joe's Cafe 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?

In these examples, a firm plan or programme exists before speaking. The decision and plan were made before speaking.

How do we spell the Present Continuous tense?

We make the Present Continuous tense by adding -ing to the base verb. Normally it's simple: we just add -ing. But sometimes we have to change the word a little. Perhaps we double the last letter, or we drop a letter. Here are the rules to help you know how to spell the Present Continuous tense.

Basic rule

Just add -ing to the base verb:

Exception

If the base verb ends in consonant + stressed vowel + consonant, double the last letter:

s t o p

consonant

stressed
vowel

consonant

vowels = a, e, i, o, u

st o p

→

stopping

r u n

→

running

beg i n

→

beginning

Note that this exception does not apply when the last syllable of the base verb is not stressed:

o pen

→

opening

Exception

If the base verb ends in ie, change the ie to y:

Exception

If the base verb ends in vowel + consonant + e, omit the e:

Note that continuous tenses are also called progressive tenses. So the Present Continuous tense is sometimes called the Present Progressive tense.

Present Continuous Quiz
Back to 12 English Tenses

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(also called Present Progressive) We often use the Present Continuous tense in English. It is very different from the Present Simple tense, both in structure and in use.

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Let´s watch a video

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Let's play the game

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Please work in the exercises