Download PRESENT CONTINUOUS (PROGRESSIVE)

PRESENT CONTINUOUS (PROGRESSIVE)
NOTES: 1. All continuous (progressive) forms occur only with dynamic verbs ( a)
verbs of activity: abandon, beg, read, play throw whisper, write, etc.; b)
process verbs: change, grow, slow down, etc.; c) transitional verbs: arrive,
fall, leave, lose, etc.; d) bodily sensation verbs: ache, feel, itch, etc.; e)
momentary verbs: catch, hit, kick, tap, etc.). Stative verbs ( a) verbs of
perception and cognition: adore, believe, like, love, see, smell, etc.; b)
relational verbs: contain, deserve, lack, possess, resemble, etc) do not allow
the progressive form. However, some of them behave like dynamic verbs in
some contexts in which they can be used in progressive form as well.
2. SPELLING:
a) verbs ending in a single –e drop this –e before –ing, e.g. argue →
arguing; love →loving (EXCEPT with verbs (age in BrE), dye, singe and
verbs ending in –ee: (ageing), dyeing, singeing; agreeing, seeing.
b) Monosyllabic verbs with a single vowel and ending in a single consonant
double this consonant before –ing: hit → hitting; beg →begging
c) Verbs of two or more syllables ending in a single consonant with a single
vowel in the last syllable double the last consonant if the last syllable is
stressed: admit →admitting, begin →beginning
d) Verbs ending in a single –l after a single vowel always double the –l:
travel →travelling, (signal → signalling)
e) Verbs ending in –y get the ending –ing without any other changes: play
→playing, stay → staying, carry → carrying, etc.
1. Form
be Simple Present Tense + V Present Participle
AFFIRMATIVE FORM:
NEGATIVE FORM:
The lawyer is examining the witness.
The investigation is not bringing any results
INTERROGATIVE FORM:
1. YES/NO – Is the investigation bringing any results?
2. Wh- question: a) for subject – Who is examining the witness?
b) for object (adverbial, etc.) - What is not bringing any results?
The forms of the verb be can be contracted as follows:
I am → I’m
he, she, it is → he’s; she’s, it’s
we, you, they are→ we’re; you’re; they’re
1
2. Use
1. Actions taking place in the moment of speaking
He’s dictating a letter.
The judge is reading the verdict.
We’re having a lot of fun
It is snowing outside.
2. Actions in progress but not necessarily in the moment of speaking (not now)
I am reading a very interesting book.
They are trying him for a number of offences.
NOTE:
If two or more continuous activities are connected with the same subject and if
they are connected with and, the auxiliary verb can be dropped in front of the
second verb in continuous (progressive) form:
He is designing and producing furniture.
3. Actions definitively arranged to take place in the near future or expressing the
speaker’s immediate plans (always with adverbials referring to future time,
although the verbs come and go can be also used without these adverbials)
We are meeting some friends tomorrow.
I’m taking you to the theater tonight.
4. Usually with the adverb always for frequently repeated actions which are
regarded by the speaker as annoying or unreasonable
He is always losing things.
They are always complaining about something.
2