Present Continuous

Dive into the dynamic world of Present Continuous tense in English grammar with our engaging guide! Explore how to express ongoing actions and future plans with clarity and precision. Unlock the power of this versatile tense and enhance your language skills effortlessly!

Grammar

Practice how to use Present Continuous.

Transcript

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Introduction:

• Host: Hello and welcome to the English Magnet. Today’s video: The Present Continuous Made Easy! Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, the present continuous tense is a must from the basics all the way to its odd uses. Using it isn’t rocket science, but when you master it the sky’s the limit! We’ll cover its structure, its common and uncommon uses, related keywords and common mistakes to avoid. Alright, let’s get to work!

Part 1: Structure of the Present Continuous (display the chart, examples can appear as they are mentioned) 

Put simply, the present continuous is formed with two words. 1st; the present tense of the verb “to be” (am, are, is) followed by the present participle or the base form of the main verb with “-ing” added to it. That present participle or ‘ing’ word is the verb carrying the action; that’s what the subject is doing. So, its structure is: subject + am/are/is + present participle (base form +ing)

Example: 

I am working / You are listening / She is jumping 

It’s not too complicated, but watch out for a couple of spelling patterns: remember to drop the final ‘e’ before adding ‘ing’ to the main verb (write-writing, jeopardize-jeopardizing) and to double the final consonant of short verbs ending with a vowel and consonant (sit-sitting, grab-grabbing). (don’t double ‘w’ and ‘x’)

Example: 

I am managing (manage) / We are skipping (skip) / It is rotting (rot) 

Keep in mind verbs ending in -ie and -c. Alter their ending a bit; ie turns into y (lie-lying) and c needs to be followed with a k (picnic-picnicking). 

Example: 

They are tying / He is frolicking 

Contractions are routine; push the subject and verb to be together, you don’t have to, but that’s all you’ll hear people use. (the chart shows: I’m, you’re, we’re, they’re, he’s, she’s & it’s). 

The negative form is a slam dunk (basketball and hoop gif); squeeze in ‘not’ between the two parts of the verb (‘not’ shown on the chart). Obviously, you can jungle with contractions as well. Keep the subject-am/are/is contraction to emphasize the negative effect (I’m, you’re we’re, they’re, he’s, she’s & it’s + not) or combine are/is + not (aren’t / isn’t). Sadly, amn’t is not in use in America, you’ll hear it in Ireland though! (Irish flag) 

When using the present continuous in a question just flip the order of the subject and am/are/is. Am I (not), Are you (not), and so on. Or use the contracted forms so ‘not’ is attached to the verb ‘to be’ then(Aren’t / Isn’t + subject + present participle). 

Example: 

Am I (not) reading the right report? 

Are they (not) completing the exercise? / Aren’t they completing the exercise?

Is he (not) wrapping birthday gifts? Isn’t he wrapping birthday gifts?

Part 2: Usage

Let’s go over the several cases when we use the present continuous… you’ll see it gets trickier the deeper we go. 😉 

1) It’s used to talk about an action in progress. That’s by far, the most common way it’s used. Since the action is unfinished, there is a sense that the action is continuing at the time of speaking, hence present continuous. 

Example: She is studying for her exam right now. 

Her exam will take place later, so she is currently doing some studying. 

2) It’s used to talk about a temporary habit or situation. A habit usually relies on the present simple, but by using the present continuous  it highlights the temporary nature of the situation, especially if it’s different from typical behavior.

Example: We’re usually meat-eaters, but for the next month, we’re experimenting with a plant-based diet. 

Trying a plant-based diet is a change in eating habits for a specific period. 

3) It’s used to talk about a slow change. It tells us that the change is happening gradually over time, rather than suddenly. This allows speakers to convey that the change is ongoing and not yet complete, hence present continuous. 

Example: The weather is slowly getting warmer as we move into spring.

Here the present continuous emphasizes the gradual increase in temperature over time, it’s a slow and long unfinished process. 

4) It’s used to talk about future plans when these are scheduled and informal. Basically, the present continuous is used here to show that the action is planned and everybody involved is aware. The planning is ongoing and will be until the action actually  takes place. 

Example: We are meeting our friends for dinner tomorrow. 

The gathering isn’t happening now (highlighting tomorrow), however everybody who will meet is in the loop; they know about the meeting and so the planning phase is ongoing. 

5) It’s used to express annoyance because this tense emphasizes the ongoing or repetitive nature of the action causing the irritation. Being annoyed or irritated usually happens over time, we all have patience, but we also draw the line somewhere. Please note that the adverb ‘always’ is often used here to help convey that meaning. 

Example: He’s always interrupting me during meetings. 

The interruptions are frequent and this is currently bothering the speaker. 

Part 3: Keywords

When using the present continuous, key timewords can come in handy. The most common ones relate to an action in progress: 

Now, right now, at the moment, currently, nowadays, today and any other variant. 

Example

I’m currently binge-watching my favorite TV series.

Right now, my cat is lounging on the windowsill, basking in the warm sunlight.

Your time marker can take the form of an expression meant to draw one’s attention.

Look! Listen! Watch out!, Be quiet! and so on. 

Example

Listen! The birds aren’t chirping outside, a storm is coming.

Please be quiet, it’s disturbing everyone. 

You can use ‘always’ when talking about something that annoys you or any other synonymous expression. These usually go between the verb to be and the ‘ing’ form. 

constantly, all the time, without fail just to name a few

Example

She’s constantly tapping her pen on the desk during the lecture, I can’t take it anymore! 

They’re leaving dirty dishes in the sink all the time! 

You will inevitably encounter time words usually associated with the future tense, but if talking about future plans, it’s totally fine. 

Tomorrow, tonight, next week and so on. 

Example

Next month, we’re embarking on a thrilling adventure – a backpacking trip through the Aravalli Range in India. 

Tomorrow, I’m attending a pastry-making workshop, yum! 

Part 4: Common Mistakes

1) Stative verbs

Some verbs are rarely or never used in the present continuous since they describe states, conditions, or non-continuous actions. They are called stative verbs. There isn’t an exhaustive list but they can be categorized in: 

mental verbs related to feelings (love, hate) , beliefs (think, want) and thoughts (understand, remember) 

There’s also physical stative verbs about senses or perceptions (see, taste), possessions (have, own) and states of being (be, seem). 

In some circumstances they can be used in the present continuous, but in most instances, just go with the present simple. 

I am understanding you loud and clear. = I understand you loud and clear. 

My colleague is having a new car. = My colleague has a new car. 

2) Leaving out ‘am/are/is’

It’s common to see an ‘ing’ word without an auxiliary (am/are/is) next to it, but that’s not the present continuous (e.g. Swimming is fun. That book seemed interesting). But, whenever you are using the ‘ing’ inthe present continuous, include ‘am/are/is’ or their contracted forms. It’s a must. 

Example: 

She playing music too loudly. = She’s playing music too loudly. 

Example: 

The pupils running to catch the bus. = The pupils are running to catch the bus. 

3) Confusing ‘to do’ and ‘to be’ in negative statements and questions

The confusion stems from the similar roles of ‘to do’ and ‘to be’ as auxiliaries (the 1st part of a 2-word verb). The problem is that ‘do/does’ are used with the present simple, while ‘am/are/is’ are used with the present continuous. 

Check for the ending of the second verb. If it’s an ‘ing’ form, you’ll need the verb ‘to be’. Also, remember that ‘Do you doing?’ & ‘I don’t doing’ aren’t a thing in English. So ‘do doing’ together is a red flag, you need to switch for ‘am/are/is. (You can meet them in the same sentence, but they are part of different verbs: ‘I do not know what he’s doing.’). 

Example: 

Be careful, you don’t listening to me again! = Be careful, you aren’t listening to me again! 

Example: 

Does Dorothy speaking at the conference next month? = Is Dorothy speaking at the conference next month? 

Wrap up

• Host: Here it is, the present continuous for the now and more!  If you’re in the mood, be sure to watch more of our videos! Perhaps, you are planning another one soon 😉 A link to some free material to practice by yourselves can be found in the description below. Keep practicing, and you’ll get the hang of it. Thank you for watching. Until next time!