Present Continuous
Actions happening right now
Table of Contents
Overview
In this grammar section we will have a look at the Present Continuous to talk about actions happening right now.
Play Video about Present Continuous for actions happening right now
The video gives an overview of the Present Continuous for actions happening right now.
- It shows the form: how to construct the present continuous positive, negative and question form.
- It shows the meaning/usage: when and why to use the present continuous.
- It shows the pronunciation of the present continuous: How you would pronounce different parts of the present continuous.
Examples
A: Are you listening to music?
B: No, I’m not listening to music, I’m watching TV.
Usage/ Meaning
Play Video about Present continuous for actions happening now meaning
How and when do we use the Present Continuous?
Present Continuous is used to talk about an action that is happening right now.
I am talking to you, you are listening, you are watching this video. Outside the birds are singing and the sun is shining.
This is all happening right now = action(s) that is/are happening right now
Form
Play Video about Present Continuous for actions happening right now form
How do we make, form, construct the Present Continuous?
Positive
Examples
- I am working.
- She is playing computer games.
Positive:
- I am working
- You are working
- he/she it is working
- You are working
- They are working
- We are working
I/You/ She/ He / It /They/We Subject + am/is/are infinitive (without to) + ing
Positive contractions:
- I‘m working
- You‘re working
- he/she it‘s working
- You‘re working
- They‘re working
- We‘re working
I/You/ She/ He / It /They/We Subject + ‘m/’s/’re infinitive (without to) + ing
Exceptions
- verbs with vowel + consonant ending : consonant doubles
- to stop: I ‘m stopping
- to travel: she’s travelling
- to plan: we are planning
Exceptions
- to fix: She is fixing ending in x
- to bow: they are bowing ending in w
- to develop: we are developing no stress stress on the last syllable
- to Picnic: you picnicking ending in c +king
- to fix: She is fixing ending in x
Practice
Negative
Examples
- I am not working
- We are not playing computer games
- She isn’t reading books
- He is not speaking English
Pronoun | Short form | Long form |
I | ‘m not working | am not working |
you | aren’t working | are not working |
she/it/he | isn’t working | are not working |
you | aren’t working | are not working |
they | aren’t working | are not working |
we | aren’t working | are not working |
I/you/she/it/he/they/we am not/ is not/ are not + gerund (verb-ing): are not working
I/you/she/it/he/they/we ‘m not/ isn’t/ aren’t + gerund (verb-ing): aren’t working
Practice
Question
Examples
- Are you working?
| To be | Pronoun | Gerund |
Am | I | working |
Are | you | working |
Is | she/it/he | working |
Are | you | working |
Are | they | working |
Are | we | working |
Am/Is/Are + I/you/he/it/she/they/we + gerund (verb-ing): Are you working?
Practice
Short answer
- Yes, I am.
- Yes, you are.
- Yes, she is.
- Subject + am/ is/are.
- No, I‘m not.
- No, you aren’t.
- No, it isn’t.
- Subject + am not/ isn’t/ aren’t
Pronunciation
Play Video about Present continuous for actions happening now pronunciation
How do we pronounce different parts of the present continuous?
Normally when speaking and using the Present Continuous you contract the verb to be.
I’m cooking
He’s eating /z/
She’s dancing /z/
It’s working /s/
You’re studying
We’re eating
They’re driving
Time words
Play Video about Present continuous for actions happening now Time words
Which time words/expressions can you use with the Present Continuous?
Present Continuous uses time words
At the moment I’m listening to music. I’m listening to music at the moment.
Right now I am watching a movie. I’m watching a movie right now.
Now I’m cooking. I’m cooking now.
You can put them at the beginning or the end of your sentence.
Questions
Have a look at the questions and write your answers in the comments below. Also give us some more details about when, where, why,….
- What are you doing right now?
- What are you thinking about?
- What is happening in your room right now?
- What is happening in your house right now?
- What is happening outside?
- What are the people outside doing?
- Who are you talking with?
- Are you watching something right now?
- What is the weather right now?
- What do you think your friend is doing right now?
Spread the word
Kristof Abrath
Teacher, Trainer, Course Designer
Teaching in English on 4 different continents since 2006.
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