In this lesson we’re looking at The Present Continuous in English.
We’re going to look at how to firm a simple present continuous sentence, and look at when we would use this tense. To finish up, we’ll look at a few key words that you can use with the present continuous.
Have fun with the lesson, and don’t forget to try the quizzes by clicking on their links below
– James.
Lesson Contents
What is the Present Continuous?
Here are a few examples of Present Continuous sentences:
James is gardening.
He is wearing a blue t-shirt.
Unlike the Present Simple, the present continuous uses Auxiliary Verbs in every type of sentence, including affirmative sentences.
I → am
He / She / It → is
You / We / They → are
In this quiz, choose the correct Present Continuous auxiliary. They will either be IS ARE or AM. Have a look at the subject of the sentences to help you decide.
When do we use the Present Continuous?
The Present Continuous is used when the subject is currently doing the action that is in the sentence. So it means that the subject has started doing something, and they haven’t finished yet:
I‘m writing a book.
Shhh! She‘s sleeping.
We‘re working at the moment.
They‘re sunbathing.
Sometimes, the action isn’t happening “right now” but rather “around now”. Have a look at this sentence:
I want to go to Japan, so I‘m learning Japanese.
The speaker isn’t necessarily in front of their Japanese text books, learning Japanese right now. They could be learning Japanese “around now”. Here are a few more examples:
I put on too much weight during the holidays, so I‘m exercising every day.
It’s really busy at work at the moment. I‘m working ten-hour shifts.
Order the Present Continuous sentences in this quiz. Don’t forget to check if the sentences are affirmative, negative of questions.
Some key words
To define times “around now” you can use the following key words: today / this week / this month / this year
I’m not feeling very well today.
She’s staying in a hotel this week.
They’re touring Africa this month.
My football team is doing really well this year.
Describing change
The present continuous is also used to describe changes around now. Here are some useful verbs to describe change:
become – begin – change – fall – get – grow – improve – increase – rise – start
Match the halves of the Present Continuous sentences. Take the second halves of the Present Continuous sentences and match them with the first. Don’t forget to check if the sentences are affirmative, negative of questions.
Recap
- The present continuous is used to talk about what’s happening now.
- The auxiliaries are AM, IS and ARE. They are used in all types of sentence.
- The present continuous is also used to talk about things happening “around now”.
