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Questions and Answers
Which tense is used to describe an action happening now, at the time of speaking, and is not finished?
Which tense is used to describe an action happening now, at the time of speaking, and is not finished?
- Past continuous
- Simple present
- Simple past
- Present continuous (correct)
The present continuous is formed using am/is/are + -ing.
The present continuous is formed using am/is/are + -ing.
True (A)
She ______ to work. (= She is driving...)
She ______ to work. (= She is driving...)
is driving
Which sentence does NOT use the present continuous correctly?
Which sentence does NOT use the present continuous correctly?
According to Steve, what is he doing at the moment while talking to a friend on the phone?
According to Steve, what is he doing at the moment while talking to a friend on the phone?
When Steve says 'I'm reading a really good book,' he is necessarily reading at that exact moment.
When Steve says 'I'm reading a really good book,' he is necessarily reading at that exact moment.
Match the sentence with the appropriate time expression:
Match the sentence with the appropriate time expression:
You can use the present continuous with today / this week / ______ etc. (periods around now)
You can use the present continuous with today / this week / ______ etc. (periods around now)
Which of the following verbs is commonly used to describe a change that has started to happen, using the present continuous?
Which of the following verbs is commonly used to describe a change that has started to happen, using the present continuous?
We generally use the present continuous to describe permanent situations.
We generally use the present continuous to describe permanent situations.
According to the examples, give one verb that indicates a change or development often used with the present continuous.
According to the examples, give one verb that indicates a change or development often used with the present continuous.
In the sentence 'Is your English getting better?', which verb is showing the change?
In the sentence 'Is your English getting better?', which verb is showing the change?
At first I didn't like my job, but I ______ to enjoy it now. (not I start)
At first I didn't like my job, but I ______ to enjoy it now. (not I start)
According to the examples, 'Does your English get better?' is a grammatically correct sentence.
According to the examples, 'Does your English get better?' is a grammatically correct sentence.
Match each verb with its correct usage in the context of ongoing changes:
Match each verb with its correct usage in the context of ongoing changes:
Which sentence best describes an action NOT happening at the moment of speaking but in progress around now?
Which sentence best describes an action NOT happening at the moment of speaking but in progress around now?
Give an example of a sentence where the present continuous describes a trend or a change that has started to happen.
Give an example of a sentence where the present continuous describes a trend or a change that has started to happen.
The population of the world ______ very fast. (not increases)
The population of the world ______ very fast. (not increases)
If someone says, 'I am learning Italian', they are necessarily studying Italian at that exact moment.
If someone says, 'I am learning Italian', they are necessarily studying Italian at that exact moment.
Which of these sentences uses the present continuous to describe a situation contrary to fact?
Which of these sentences uses the present continuous to describe a situation contrary to fact?
The exercise shows her crossing a street?
The exercise shows her crossing a street?
In the exercise, the boy in the picture is...
In the exercise, the boy in the picture is...
Please don't make so much noise. I'm ______ to work.
Please don't make so much noise. I'm ______ to work.
What does the text suggest Kate is doing?
What does the text suggest Kate is doing?
Things at work are good. This is why they don't need the car anymore.
Things at work are good. This is why they don't need the car anymore.
Ben is a student, but not very happy. How does he feel about his course?
Ben is a student, but not very happy. How does he feel about his course?
Match the sentences in the order they appear:
Match the sentences in the order they appear:
Kate phoned last night. She's on holiday with friends. (She/ _____)
Kate phoned last night. She's on holiday with friends. (She/ _____)
What's all that noise?
What's all that noise?
Paul and Sarah is speaking to one another.
Paul and Sarah is speaking to one another.
Now that the washing machine has been repaired, is it working?
Now that the washing machine has been repaired, is it working?
Write questions. Use the present continuous using the words:
Write questions. Use the present continuous using the words:
The weather / ______ Look at those clouds.
The weather / ______ Look at those clouds.
Dan has been in the same job for a long time.
Dan has been in the same job for a long time.
The washing machine needs to be repaired for a new hospital to be built.
The washing machine needs to be repaired for a new hospital to be built.
Paul and Sarah have had an argument, now they aren't to one another.
Paul and Sarah have had an argument, now they aren't to one another.
Put the verb into the correct form, positive (I'm doing etc.) or negative (I'm not doing etc.).
Put the verb into the correct form, positive (I'm doing etc.) or negative (I'm not doing etc.).
The situation is already very bad and now ______ (it / get) worse.
The situation is already very bad and now ______ (it / get) worse.
Which of the following best captures the nuanced use of the present continuous for actions not happening at the moment of speech but in progress more generally?
Which of the following best captures the nuanced use of the present continuous for actions not happening at the moment of speech but in progress more generally?
Flashcards
Present Continuous
Present Continuous
Action happens at the moment of speaking and is not finished.
I am doing something
I am doing something
Started, but not finished; in the middle of doing it.
Present Continuous with Time Words
Present Continuous with Time Words
Indicates actions happening around the present time.
Present Continuous for Changes
Present Continuous for Changes
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Study Notes
- Present continuous describes an action happening now, at the time of speaking
- The action is not finished
- It is formed using: am/is/are + -ing
Usage of Present Continuous
- To describe something in progress
- I'm doing something means that it was started but not finished
- "I’m trying to work" implies the speaker is in the middle of working
- "He’s having a shower" is the process of showering
- "It isn’t raining any more" implies process of raining has stopped
- To describe actions not literally happening while speaking
- 'I'm reading...' when not actively reading, to express being in the middle of it.
- "She's learning Italian" describes an ongoing process, not necessarily happening at the moment of speaking
- To indicate a period around now
- Using "today / this week / this year etc." with the present continuous indicates a current period
- "You're working hard today" recognizes efforts in the current timeframe
Changes
- The present continuous expresses changes that have started
- Often used with verbs like getting, becoming, starting, beginning, changing, improving, increasing, rising, falling, and growing
- "Is your English getting better?" asks about current improvement
- "The population of the world is increasing very fast," describes a current change
- "I’m starting to enjoy it now" expresses the beginning of a change in feeling
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