The form of present continuous explained in English Beginners Course 15.

Lesson 15

Introduction

This tutorial is focusing on the present continuous and adverbs.

Dialogue

1/Sentence Practice

What are you doing? 

I am taking the underground – You are standing – He is sitting, she is sitting as well. They are sitting

What are you reading? I am reading a book.

Are you travelling? Yes, I am travelling. Thank you.

This is the present continuous. The verb to be and “-ing”

We are waiting for a bus – They are standing at the bus stop.

I learn to drive; I am driving. We drive; we are driving. We are in a black car.

We are driving now. It is happening now in the present and it is continuing.

This is the present participle or -ing form: filling. I am filling the car with petrol.

What are you doing now? I am telephoning.

What do you do in the afternoon? I go to work.

Vocabulary

2/Vocabulary Practice

  • right now
  • at the moment
  • i am taking
  • the underground
  • standing
  • sitting
  • you are standing
  • she is sitting
  • reading
  • What are you reading?
  • i am reading
  • a book
  • Are you travelling?
  • thank you
  • the present continuous
  • verb to be and “-ing”
  • waiting
  • we are waiting
  • for a bus
  • standing
  • at the bus stop
  • to drive
  • we are driving now
  • to happen
  • it is happening now
  • it is continuing
  • present participle
  • -ing form
  • to fill
  • I am filling
  • with petrol
  • What are you doing now?
  • to telephone
  • i am telephoning
  • What do you do?
  • i go to work

Grammar

The present continuous

The present continuous is also called present progressive

We use the present continuous for:

  • things happening now: I’m reading. I’m learning.
  • temporary situations: I am feeling ill. He is staying here.
  • future plans: I am going on holiday next Monday. I am travelling next year.

The present participle or -ing form is formed:

Verb + -ing

i.e.

to learn > learning

to work > working

The present continuous is formed

Subject + am/are/is + present participle or -ing form

i.e.

I am learning

you are learning

he is working

they are working

Form:

Affirmative

S + am/are/is + -ing form of the Verb + O

I am living – I’m living

you are living – you’re living

he is living – he’s living

she is living – she’s living

it is living – it’s living

we are living – we’re living

you are living – you’re

they are living – they’re living

Negative

S + am/are/is + not + -ing form of the Verb + O

I am not living – I’m not living

you are not living – you aren’t living – you’re not living

he is not living – he isn’t living – he’s not living

she is not living – she isn’t living – she’s not living

it is not living – it isn’t living – it’s not living

we are not living – we aren’t living – we’re not living

you are not living – you aren’t living – you’re not living

they re not living – they aren’t living – they’re not living

Questions

Am/Are/Is + S + not + -ing form of the Verb + O +?

Aren’t/Isn’t + S + -ing form of the Verb + O +?

Am I dreaming…? Am I not dreaming..? Aren’t I dreaming..?

Are you leaving..? Are you not leaving..? Aren’t you leaving..?

Is he flying..? Is he not flying..? Isn’t he flying..?

Is she working..? Is she not working..? Isn’s she working..?

Is it sleeping..? Is it not sleeping..? Isn’t it sleeping..?

Are we driving…? Are we not driving…? Aren’t we driving…?

Are you coming…? Are you not coming…? Aren’t you coming…?

Are they travelling…? Are they not travelling…? Aren’t they travelling…?

Adverbs that go with the Present Continuous tense:

  • now
  • right now
  • at the moment
  • today

i.e.

NOW

S + am/are/is + ing form + O + now + .

Am/are/is + S + ing form + O + now + ?

I am arriving there now.

I am not feeling well now.

Are you getting ready now?

RIGHT NOW

S + am/are/is + ing form + O + right now + .

Am/are/is + S + ing form + O + right now + ?

We are leaving right now.

You are not listening right now.

Are you leaving right now?

AT THE MOMENT

S + am/are/is + ing form + O + at the moment + .

Am/are/is + S + ing form + O + at the moment + ?

I am feeling ill at the moment.

You are not working at the moment.

Are you working at the moment?

TODAY

S + am/are/is + ing form + O + today + .

Am/are/is + S + ing form + O + today + ?

I am learning English today.

You are not feeling well today.

Are you feeling ok today?

Questions and Answers

Questions and Answers

How do you go to work?

I go to work on the underground.

What are you reading?

I am reading a book.

Are you learning to drive?

Yes, I am learning to drive.

Are you travelling?

Yes, I am travelling by car.

Where are your parents?

They are standing at the bus stop.

When is it happening?

It is happening now.

Is it continuing?

Yes, it is continuing.

Are you filling your car?

Yes, I am filling my car.

Are you waiting for a bus?

Yes I am waiting for a bus.

What is the present continuous?

The present continuous is the verb to be with I. N. G. I am explaining.

Exercises Lesson 15

Comprehension Practice

Vocabulary Practice

Grammar Practice