PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE – SENTENCES - English Post #8

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By: Jose Sonson

PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE – SENTENCES

We use present continuous to talk about something that is happening at the moment or in the future with time words or phrases.

We form the present continuous by using a "be verb" (am/is/are) and a participle (verb + -ing). [Positive]

Examples: Subject + be verb + verb(-ing)...

1) I am considering quitting my job.

2) You are working in the company.

3) Victor (He) is planning a trip to Jamaica.

4) Vanessa (She) is resting now.

5) It is raining now. See you tomorrow.

6) We are working in San Francisco today.

7) You are teaching at university. Congratulations!

8) They are living with their parents in the Dominican Republic.

We use the present continuous with certain time words or phrases to talk about the future. Here are some common words and phrases used with the present continuous.

Now,         right now, at the moment, currently, today, this week, this year   this month, these days, tomorrow.

Here are some examples:

1) He is practicing English right now.

2) George is working in his office at the moment.

3) Maria is living with her brother these days.

4) I am working at the branch office this month.

5) We are eating dinner with our family.

We also use present continuous to talk about the future. If it is used for the future; it is almost always used with a time word or expression that refers to the future.

Here are some examples:

1) I am meeting my friend, Anthony tonight.

2) Jacob (He) is going on a trip next week.

3) Helen is driving to her husband’s office at 4:00 p.m..

4) Jack and Berth are going to Jamaica next year.

5) We are leaving after the today’s meeting.

6) They are watching a baseball game after they eat dinner.

You can usually know from the time words.

1) I am talking to some friends now.

2) I am eating with them later.

3) My sister going to school tomorrow.

4) Carmen is talking on the phone now.

5) Antonio and his girlfriend are listening to music right now.

6) I am flying to Jamaica next month.

If there are no time words, then it is almost always about right now.

1) Where is Vanessa? – She is sitting in the living room.

2) What are you doing? – I am listening to music.

3) Where is Bob going? – He is going to the bank.

4) Who is Maria talking to? – She is talking to her boss.

5) What is happening with the machine? – It is making a noise.

To make a negative sentence, we put "not" after the "be". You can also use contractions in affirmative, negative or question.

1) I am not working now. / I’m not working now.

2) You are not eating right now. / You aren’t eating right now.

3) He is not singing at the moment. / He isn’t singing at the moment.

4) Jane (She) is not going to the bank. / She isn’t going to the bank.

5) We are not attending the meeting./ We aren’t attending the meeting.

6) They are not attending the game. / They aren’t attending the game.

To make the question, we must follow the following pattern:

Subject + be verb + being + adjective/noun

1) Are you eating breakfast now?

2) Is Donald (He) reporting from San Francisco?

3) Is Maria (She) cooking right now?

4) Is it raining now?

5) Are we going to the concert tomorrow?

6) Are you waiting for the bus?

7) Are Henry and Jacob attending the meeting?

8) Are they waiting for the manager in the meeting room.

Long form vs. Contracted form

1.     I am walking to work. (Long)

        I’m walking to work. (Contracted)

2.     You are doing it well.

        You’re doing it well.

3.     He is traveling with his families this weekend.

        He’s traveling with his families this weekend.

4.     She is working here today.

        She’s working here today.

5.     It is working very well.

        It’s working very well.

6.     We are exercising in the gym now.

        We’re exercising in the gym now.

7.     You are working together.

        You’re working together.

8.     They are leaving this company at the end of the month.

        They’re leaving this company at the end of the month.

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