PRESENT CONTINUOUS for actions at the moment

Formation:

 

Affirmative: (subject + aux. verb ‘be’ + verb+ing)

Negative: (subject + aux. verb ‘be’ + not + verb+ing)

Question: (aux. verb ‘be’ + subject + verb+ing)

 

Le present continuous se forme en utilisant l'auxiliaire « BE »au présent simple suivi du participe présent (forme verbale en 'ING').  

C'est normalement le présent simple qui est utilisé pour exprimer des actions répétées ou habituelles mais quand on veut ajouter la notion d'irritation ou d'énervement, le present continuous est parfois utilisé et doit, dans ces cas précis, toujours être accompagné d'un adverbe indiquant la répétition (always, constantly, perpetually, etc).

 

Listed below are some of the main usages of the present continuous.

 

1. To talk about an action that is in progress at the time of speaking

Please be quiet. I’m watching TV.

 

2. To talk about a temporary action that is not necessarily in progress at the time of speaking I am reading a good book at the moment.

 

3. To emphasize very frequent actions (often with always) – She is always biting her nails.

 

4. Background events in a present story So I’m standing there when a policeman comes in.

 

5. To describe developing situations It’s getting dark

 

6. To refer to a regular action around a point of time He’s usually working at this time.

 

REGULAR FORM

PERSON  AFFIRMATIVE   NEGATIVE     QUESTION 

 

 I                I am learning         I am not learning       Am I learning?

You            You are learning    You are not learning   Are you learning?

He/she/it   He is learning        He is not learning       Is he learning?

We           We are learning      We are not learning    Are we learning?

They        They are learning   They are not learning Are they learning?

 

CONTRACTED FORM

PERSON  AFFIRMATIVE   NEGATIVE        QUESTION

 

 I              I’m learning         I’m not learning        No contracted form

You          You’re learning     You aren’t learning    No contracted form

He/she/it  She’s learning      She isn’t learning       No contracted form

We            We’re learning     We aren’t learning      No contracted form

They         They’re learning   They aren’t learning   No contracted form

 

Pronunciation

The main point relates to contracted forms: beginners can have difficulty with these and may resort to using long forms instead; drilling and constant reminders are often necessary.

 

Non-progressive verbs

Most non-action verbs are not normally used in the present continuous forms, we usually use the simple form instead. Following are some of the most common:

like/love/want/know/understand/remember/depend/prefer/hate/need/mean/believe/forget

Non-progressive verbs can be roughly divided into the following groups:

 

verbs of the senses (involuntary)

verbs expressing feelings and emotions

verbs of mental activity

verbs of possession

 

There are exceptions and some verbs have different meanings depending on whether they are used in the simple or continuous tense, e.g. She thinks you are right (meaning = has the opinion that); She’s thinking about it (meaning = considering)

 

Typical student errors/mistakes

Make a note of the nature of each of the following errors/mistakes:

He watching T.V.

We are have a meeting.

Do you not coming to the cinema?

I’m working hard every day.

I’m believing in God.

PRESENT CONTINUOUS for current projects

Use the present continuous to describe projects and actions that are happening around the present moment in time. Remember that these projects have begun in the recent past and will end in the near future. This usage is especially popular for talking about current projects at work or for specific hobbies.

This tense is often used with the following time expressions:

... at the moment
... now
... this week / month

 

Basic Construction

Positive

Subject + be + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression

At the moment we're working on the Thompson account.

 

Negative

Subject + be + not (isn't, aren't) + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression

He isn't studying for his exam this week.

 

Question

(Question Word) + be + subject + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression

Which account are you working on now?


PRESENT CONTINUOUS for scheduled events

One use of the present continuous tense is for scheduled future events. This usage is especially useful when talking about appointments and meetings for work.

This tense is often used with the following time expressions:

... tomorrow
... on Friday, Monday, etc.
... today
... this morning / afternoon / evening
... next week / month
... in Dcember, March, etc.

Basic Construction

Positive

Subject + be + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression

I'm meeting our CEO at three o'clock this afternoon.

Negative

Subject + be + not (isn't, aren't) + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression

Shelley isn't attending the meeting tomorrow.

Question

(Question Word) + be + subject + verb + ing + object(s) + time Expression

When are you discussing the situation with Tom?