VERB TENSES
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
The present continuous/progressive/ tense is used to talk about an unfinished action or a temporary situation that is happening at the time of speech or around it. It is also used to talk about future arrangements.
Time adverbs and adverbial phrases (AKA ‘key words’) often used with present continuous are as follows:
Key Words
now, at the moment, these days, today, constantly, Look!, Listen! etc.
Forms of Present Continuous
Affirmative
I am swimming.
You are swimming.
He/she/it is swimming.
We are swimming.
They are swimming.
Negative
I am not swimming.
You are not swimming.
He/she/it is not swimming.
We are not swimming.
They are not swimming.
Question
Am I swimming?
Are you swimming?
Is he/she/it swimming?
Are we swimming?
Are they swimming?
STATIVE AND DYNAMIC VERBS
Most verbs in English belong to dynamic verbs. They express conscious actions we take or things that happen, and have their duration. These verbs can be used both in simple and continuous tenses.
I often do my homework early in the morning.
Leave me alone, can’t you see I am doing my homework?
He never listens to his mum.
Johnny, why are you not listening to me?
DYNAMIC VERBS
read • write • go • jump • eat • watch • fly • listen • drive • dream • learn • run • watch • drink • push • cut etc.
Stative verbs, on the other hand, express mental processes, feelings, perceptions, possessions and existence are normally not used in continuous tenses.
Who does this suitcase belong to?
You smell beautiful.
I can’t hear you.
I agree with you. This house costs simply too much.
The team consists of college players only.
My grandfather owns this property.
More on stative verbs and their special use you can find here.
STATIVE VERBS
agree • be • belong • consist • cost • imagine • know • love • remember • own • understand • want etc.
USE OF PRESENT CONTINUOUS
1
to talk about an action that is happening at the time of speaking.
The sun is shining now. It is not raining.
You’re learning English at the moment.
Why are you not listening to me?
Shh! Be quiet. The children are sleeping.
2
to talk about actions that are in progress around now. (temporary situations)
I’m reading an fascinating book about Provence.
Jack’s working on a challenging project these days.
Sam is working at McDonald’s during the summer break.
I’m building a cottage by the river.
3
to talk about gradual development in the present
Prices are rising every day.
We are getting older and older.
It’s getting dark. Shall we leave?
Her condition is gradually improving day by day.
4
to talk about arrangements in the (near) future
I’m coming in ten minutes. Wait for me!
We are going to the cinema tonight? Wanna come with us?
I’m seeing my doctor at 5PM.
Imagine, I’m flying to Canada tomorrow.
5
to talk about frequent (annoying) habits in the present
She is constantly borrowing money from me.
Children are continually making too much noise in the yard.
Why are you constantly criticizing the government?
You‘re always smoking in the kitchen. I hate it.
Take the QUICK TEST and check your knowledge on present simple and present continuous. Once it’s done, you’ll receive an instant score that will give you a good idea how well you have mastered this particular part of grammar.
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