Present Continuous
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THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS IS USED:
- to describe an action that is going on at this moment: You are using the Internet. You are studying English grammar.
- to describe an action that is going on during this period of time or a trend: Are you still working for the same company? More and more people are becoming vegetarian.
- to describe an action or event in the future, which has already been planned or prepared: We're going on holiday tomorrow. I'm meeting my boyfriend tonight. Are they visiting you next winter?
- to describe a temporary event or situation: He usually plays the drums, but he's playing bass guitar tonight. The weather forecast was good, but it's raining at the moment.
- with "always, forever, constantly", to describe and emphasise a continuing series of repeated actions: Harry and Sally are always arguing! You're constantly complaining about your mother-in-law!
FORMING THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS
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? |
EXAMPLES: TO GO, PRESENT CONTINUOUS
Affirmative | Negative | Interrogative |
---|---|---|
I am going | I am not going | Am I going? |
You are going | You aren't going. | Are you going? |
He, she, it is going | He, she, it isn't going | Is he, she, it going? |
We are going | We aren't going | Are we going? |
You are going | You aren't going | Are you going? |
They are going | They aren't going | Are they going? |
The verbs in the list below are normally used in the simple form because they refer to states, rather than actions or processes.
SENSES / PERCEPTION
- to feel*
- to hear
- to see*
- to smell
- to taste
OPINION
- to assume
- to believe
- to consider
- to doubt
- to feel (= to think)
- to find (= to consider)
- to suppose
- to think*
MENTAL STATES
- to forget
- to imagine
- to know
- to mean
- to notice
- to recognise
- to remember
- to understand
EMOTIONS / DESIRES
- to envy
- to fear
- to dislike
- to hate
- to hope
- to like
- to love
- to mind
- to prefer
- to regret
- to want
- to wish
MEASUREMENT
- to contain
- to cost
- to hold
- to measure
- to weigh
OTHERS
- to look (=resemble)
- to seem
- to be (in most cases)
- to have (when it means "to possess")*
EXCEPTIONS
Perception verbs (see, hear, feel, taste, smell) are often used with can: I can see... These verbs may be used in the continuous form but with a different meaning
- This coat feels nice and warm. (your perception of the coat's qualities)
- John's feeling much better now (his health is improving)
- She has three dogs and a cat. (possession)
- She's having supper. (She's eating)
- I can see Anthony in the garden (perception)
- I'm seeing Anthony later (We are planning to meet)
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