Present Continuous

 

 

Video 1: Introduction to the Present Continuous

 

 

Video 2: Present Continuous Part 2

 

 

1. Construction Present Continuous

Affirmative

Negative

Questions

am working
You are working
He is working
She is working
It is working
We are working
You are working
They are working

am not working
You are not working
He is not working
She is not working
It is not working
We are not working
You are not working
They are not working

Am I working?
Are you working?
Is he working?
Is she working?
Is it working?
Are we working?
Are you working?
Are they working?

Contracted forms:       am = 'm                          is   = 's                          are = 're
                               am not  = 'm not              is not = isn't                   are not  = aren't

Contracted forms:       am = 'm                          is   = 's                          are = 're
                               am not  = 'm not              is not = isn't                   are not  = aren't

2. Use of Present Continuous

You use the the present continuous to:

1.         show something is going on NOW. Signalwords are: "now, at the moment, look, listen..." etc.

2.         talk about the NEAR FUTURE.

3.         show IRRITATION. Usually the word "always" is in the sentence

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3. Examples use of present continuous

1.         I am reading at the moment. (It's going on NOW)

2.         They are dancing tonight. (Near future)

3.         He is always playing on the computer. (irritation)

4. Spelling rules

General Rule: Infinitive without 'to' + ING
to work --> working
to play --> playing 

Verbs that end with a silent E: drop the E + ING
to live --> living
to come --> coming 

Verbs that end with IE:  IE becomes Y +ING
to die --> dying
to lie --> lying 


Verbs with stress on the final syllable: double the last consonant +ING 
to stop --> stopping
to begin --> beginning 

Verbs ending with L: double the L +ING
to travel --> travelling
to quarrel --> quarrelling 

Verbs ending with IC:   IC + K +ING
to picnic --> picnicking
to panic --> panicking

 

 

 

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