The present continuous of any verb is composed of two parts - the present tense of the verb to be + the present participle of the main verb. (The form of the present participle is: base+ing, e.g. talking, playing, moving, smiling) Affirmative Subject + to be + base+ing she is talking
Negative Subject + to be + not + base+ing she is not (isn't) talking
Interrogative to be + subject + base+ing is she talking? Example: to go, present continuous Affirmative Negative Interrogative I am going am not going !m going? You are going "ou aren't going# !re you going? He, she, it is going $e% she% it isn't going s he% she% it going? We are going &e aren't going !re we going? You are going "ou aren't going !re you going? They are going They aren't going !re they going? Note: alternative negative contractions: I'm not going, you're not going, he's not going etc. 2. Present Continuous, function !s with all tenses in 'nglish% the speaker's attitude is as important as the time of the action or event# &hen someone uses the present continuous% they are thinking about something that is unfinised or incomplete# The present continuous is used to describe an action that is going on at this moment e#g# !ou are using the Internet# !ou are stud"ing English grammar. to describe an action that is going on during this period of time or a trend% e#g# #re "ou still $orking for the same company? More and more people are becomingvegetarian. to describe an action or event in the future% which has already been planned or prepared ((ee also '&ays of e)pressing the future) e#g# %e're going on holiday tomorro# &'m meeting my boyfriend tonight# #re te" 'isitingyou ne)t winter? to describe a temporary event or situation% e#g# !e usually plays the drums, but e's pla"ing bass guitar tonight# "he eather forecast as good, but it's raining at the moment. with 'always% forever% constantly'% to describe and emphasise a continuing series of repeated actions% e#g# !arry and #ally are al$a"s arguing$ !ou're fore'er complaining about your mother%in% la$ EXERCISES Complete with the verbs in present continuous 1. Every Monday, Sally (drive) her kids to football practice. 2. Usually, I (ork) as a secretary at !"#, but this su$$er I (study) %rench at a lan&ua&e school in 'aris. #hat is hy I a$ in 'aris. (. Shhhhh) "e *uiet) +ohn (sleep) . ,. -on.t for&et to take your u$brella. It (rain) . /. I hate livin& in Seattle because it (rain, alays) . 0. I.$ sorry I can.t hear hat you (say) because everybody (talk) so loudly. 1. +ustin (rite, currently) a book about his adventures in #ibet. I hope he can find a &ood publisher hen he is finished. 2. +i$3 -o you ant to co$e over for dinner toni&ht4 -enise3 5h, I.$ sorry, I can.t. I (&o) to a $ovie toni&ht ith so$e friends. 6. #he business cards (be, nor$ally ) printed by a co$pany in 7e 8ork. #heir prices (be) ine9pensive, yet the *uality of their ork is *uite &ood. 1:. #his delicious chocolate (be) $ade by a s$all chocolatier in ;urich, Sit<erland. =o$plete ith verbs in present continuous *) !le)ander a film# (to $atc) +) &e a computer game# (to pla") ,) The dog at the cat# (to bark) -) .eter his rabbits# (to feed) /) .hilipp and 0ohnny a song# (to sing) 1) 2ary her hair# (to $as) 3) to 4oris# (to talk) 5) .eggy a picture# (to dra$) 6) $enry and his sister their mother# (to elp) *7) "ou the poem by heart# (to learn) Complete with present simple or cont. ('lay) I &olf every eekend. ('lay) #he children outside at the $o$ent. (>ork) ?aruka today. (>ork) 8ou can@t borro $y lan$oer because it doesn@t (Make) S$ells &ood) >hat are you 4 (Make) My husband never $e breakfast. (Aive) 'auline is in ?on& Bon&. (Aive)-o you still ith your parents4