Welcome to your Present Continuous lesson! In this topic we talk about:
• Using the Present Continuous
• Forming Present Continuous sentences
• Asking about a price
Take the quizzes when you’re ready! If you’re having problems, use the comment box to contact our English Teachers.
Using the Present Continuous
The Present Continuous is used do describe an action that is happening now:
“It’s Monday evening, my family and I are at home. I am doing my homework, my mum is cooking and my sister is reading.”
To talk about generalities, preferences or permanent facts, we use the Present Simple.
Forming Present Continuous sentences
- In the affirmative form:
“subject + auxiliary (be – conjugated) + infinitive verb + ing”:
“I am working.”
“She is playing.”
“They are reading.”
- In the negative form:
“subject + auxiliary (be – conjugated) + not + infinitive verb + ing”:
“It is not working.”
“They’re not watching TV”
“We’re not cooking.”
- In the interrogative form:
“auxiliary (be – conjugated) + subject + infinitive verb + ing?”:
“Are you dancing?”
“Is she playing?”
“Am I reading?”
Careful, in the Present Continuous only the auxiliary “be” changes depending on the subject. The verbs do not change.
The Present Continuous is used to talk about an action in process. If a question is asked using the Present Continuous, the answer must be using the Present Continuous:
“What are you doing?”
“I’m texting a friend.”“Where is she going?”
“She’s going to the shop.”
Asking about a price
“How much” is used to ask about a price:
“How much is it?”
“It’s £3.50.”
