1. Let's check the basics

 

The present continuous tense is normally used to talk about things we are doing NOW.

Do you remember?

  • Form

 

am/is/are + present participle (verb + ing)    

I am tuning my piano. 

piano

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  1. We use present continuous to talk about something that is happening now, at the time of speaking. 
  •  What is she doing?
  • She is writing an email.

  2.  We use present continuous to talk about actions we repeat around the time of speaking.

  •  I'm working out at the gym these days.
  • She's always complaining about her boss.

  3.  We use present continuous to talk about temporary situations.

  •  Where is he living?
  •    He's living in Spain at the moment.    

 4.  We use present continuous to talk about future arrangements.

  • I'm taking my flatmate to the train station at 6 o'clock tomorrow.
  • He's cleaning up his room

 5.  We do not normally use verbs like believe, belong, hate, know, like, love, mean, want, understand

      with present continuous because these verbs are not normally action verbs.

  • They want  some Spanish lessons now.  ☑
  • They are wanting  some Spanish lessons. ☒

Spelling rules:

  1. Most verbs: add -ing. For example, work >working; ski > skiing; study > studying
  2. Verbs ending in -e: remove the -e and add -ing. For example, "come >coming
  3. Verbs ending in -ie: remove the -ie and add -ying. For example, lie >lying
  4. Verbs ending in consonant + vowel + consonant, double the ending consonant. For example, stop" > stopping.
  5. *Only double the ending consonant for stressed syllables. For example, "begin" >beginning, but  unstressed visit > visiting.
  6. *Note also we don't double these letters: w, x, y and z: play > playing; box > boxing; sew> sewing

 

Moving on

Do you want to practice?    Check these exercises.

Do it yourself

Complete these sentences and don't use contractions in this exercise:

Ex: Phil (watch) is watching a film now. John is not going to the show.

1.What (you do) next Saturday?

2.(you share) your room?

3. Where (you go) tonight?

4. Jason and Petra (work) this weekend.

5. Paul (sit) next to John.

6. She (call) the front desk.

7.Sam (not listen) to the radio.

8.I (not use) my car.

9. John (hurry) because he's late .

10.(she drive) ?

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