Lesson
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
1. Present continuous, form
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 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?
Note: alternative negative contractions: I'm not going, you're not going, he's
not going etc.
2. Present continuous, function
As with all tenses in English, the speaker's attitude is as important as the
time of the action or event. When someone uses the present continuous,
they are thinking about something that is unfinished or incomplete.
The present continuous is used:
* to describe an action that is going on at this moment e.g. 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, e.g.
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 (See also 'Ways of expressing the future) e.g. 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, e.g. 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, e.g. Harry and Sally are always arguing! You're forever
complaining about your mother-in-law!
BE CAREFUL! Some verbs are not used in the continuous form - see below.
3. Verbs that are not normally used in the continuous form
The verbs in the list below are normally used in the simple form, because
they refer to states, rather than actions or processes:
List of common verbs normally used in simple form:
Senses / Perception
feel*, hear, see*, smell, taste
Opinion
assume, believe, consider, doubt, feel (= think), find (= consider),
suppose, think*
Mental states
forget, imagine, know, mean, notice, recognise, remember, understand
Emotions / desires
envy, fear, dislike, hate, hope, like, love, mind, prefer, regret, want,
wish
Measurement
contain, cost, hold, measure, weigh
Others
look (=resemble), seem, be (in most cases), have (when it means to
possess)*
Notes:
1. 'Perception' verbs (see, hear, feel, taste, smell) are often used with 'can':
e.g. I can see...
2. * These verbs may be used in the continuous form but with a different
meaning, compare:
a. This coat feels nice and warm. (= your perception of the coat's qualities)
b. John's feeling much better now (= his health is improving)
a. She has three dogs and a cat. (=possession)
b. She's having supper. (= She's eating)
a. I can see Anthony in the garden (= perception)
b. I'm seeing Anthony later (= We are planning to meet)
Examples:
l I wish I was in Greece now.
l She wants to see him now.
l I don't understand why he is shouting.
l I feel we are making a mistake.
l This glass holds half a litre.
