Download SNS College of Engineering THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS Tense

SNS College of Engineering
THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE
USE 1 Now
Use the Present Continuous with Normal Verbs to express the idea that something is
happening now, at this very moment. It can also be used to show that something is not
happening now.
Examples:
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You are learning English now.
You are not swimming now.
Are you sleeping?
Is he sitting or standing?
They are reading their books.
They are not watching television.
What are you doing?
Why aren't you doing your homework?
USE 2 Longer Actions in Progress Now
In English, "now" can mean: this second, today, this month, this year, this century, and
so on. Sometimes, we use the Present Continuous to say that we are in the process of
doing a longer action which is in progress; however, we might not be doing it at this
exact second.
Examples: (All of these sentences can be said while eating dinner in a restaurant.)
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I am studying to become a doctor.
I am not studying to become a dentist.
I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.
I am not reading any books right now.
Are you working on any special projects at work?
R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR
AP/ENGLISH - SCD
SNS College of Engineering
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Aren't you teaching at the university now?
USE 3 Near Future
Sometimes, speakers use the Present Continuous to indicate that something will or will
not happen in the near future.
Examples:
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I am meeting some friends after work.
I am not going to the party tonight.
Is he visiting his parents next weekend?
Isn't he coming with us tonight?
USE 4 Repetition and Irritation with "Always"
The Present Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the idea
that something irritating or shocking often happens. Notice that the meaning is
like Simple Present, but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words "always" or
"constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing."
Examples:
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She is always coming to class late.
He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up.
I don't like them because they are always complaining.
REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed Verbs
It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any
continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be
used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Present Continuous with these verbs, you
must use Simple Present.
Examples:
R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR
AP/ENGLISH - SCD
SNS College of Engineering
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She is loving this chocolate ice cream. Not Correct
She loves this chocolate ice cream. Correct
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only,
never, ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
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You are still watching TV.
Are you still watching TV?
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
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Right now, Tom is writing the letter. Active
Right now, the letter is being written by Tom. Passive
THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS
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.
R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR
AP/ENGLISH - SCD
SNS College of Engineering
Negative
Subject
+ to be + not
+ base + ing
She
is not (isn't)
talking
to be
+ subject
+ base + ing
Is
she
talking?
Interrogative
EXAMPLES: 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 go
We are going
We aren't going
Are we going?
You are going
You aren't going
Are you going?
R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR
AP/ENGLISH - SCD
SNS College of Engineering
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.
FUNCTIONS OF THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS
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:
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to describe an action that is going on at this moment: 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: 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: We're going on holiday tomorrow. I'm
meeting my boyfriend tonight. Are they visiting you next winter?
with "always, forever, constantly", to describe and emphasize a
continuing series of repeated actions: Harry and Sally are
always arguing! You're constantly complaining about your
mother-in-law!
VERBS THAT ARE NOT USUALLY 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.
SENSES / PERCEPTION
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to feel*
to hear
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AP/ENGLISH - SCD
to see*
to smell
to taste
SNS College of Engineering
OPINION
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to assume
to believe
to consider
to feel (= to think)
to find (= to consider)
to doubt
to suppose
MENTAL STATES
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to forget
to recognize
to imagine
to remember
to know to mean
to understand
to notice
EMOTIONS / DESIRES
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to envy
to love
to fear
to mind
to dislike to hate
to prefer to regret
to hope
to want
to like
to wish
MEASUREMENT
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to contain to cost
to hold
to measure
to weigh
OTHERS
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to look (=resemble) to seem to be (in most cases)
to have(when it means "to possess")*
EXCEPTIONS
Perception verbs (see, hear, feel, taste, smell) are often used
with can: : I can see... These verbs may be used in the continuous
form but with a different meaning
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This coat feels nice and warm. (your perception of the coat's
qualities)
John's feeling much better now (his health is improving)
She has three dogs and a cat. (possession)
She's having supper. (She's eating)
I can see Anthony in the garden (perception)
I'm seeing Anthony later (We are planning to meet)
R.N.RAJA RAVI SHANKAR
AP/ENGLISH - SCD