The Present Continuous

The present continuous tense is formed from the present tense of the verb be and the present participle (-
ing form) of a verb:
Use
1. We use the present continuous tense to talk about the present:
a. for something that is happening at the moment of speaking:
1) I’m just leaving work. I’ll be home in an hour.
2) Please be quiet. The children are sleeping.

b. for something which is happening before and after a given time:

1) At eight o’clock we are usually having breakfast.
2) When I get home the children are doing their homework.

c. for something which we think is temporary:

1) Michael is at university. He’s studying history.
2) I’m working in London for the next two weeks.

d. for something which is new and contrasts with a previous state:

1) These days most people are using email instead of writing letters.
2) What sort of clothes are teenagers wearing nowadays? What sort of music are they
listening to?

e. to show that something is changing, growing or developing:

1) The children are growing quickly.
2) The climate is changing rapidly.
3) Your English is improving.

f. for something which happens again and again:

1) It’s always raining in London.
2) They are always arguing.
3) George is great. He’s always laughing.

2. We use the present continuous tense to talk about the future:

a. for something which has been arranged or planned:
1) Mary is going to a new school next term.
2) What are you doing next week?

3. We can use the present continuous to talk about the past:

 When we are telling a story:
 When we are summarising the story from a book, film or play etc

Exercises I. Fill in the blanks with a present simple or present continuous tense form.
1. Hurry up! We ……………………….. for you. (wait)
2. She …………… as a receptionist. (work)
3. He ………………… with his parents at the moment. (stay)
4. ‘What are you ……………………….?’ (do) ‘I ………………………. letters.’ (write)
5. I always …………… at 6 o’clock. (get up)
6. He is busy at the moment. He ……………………. to a friend. (take)
7. I’m sorry but I …………………. what you mean. (not/understand)
8. That child ……………………………… bigger everyday. (get)
9. Who is that girl …………………………….. on the table? (stand)
10. I …………………………….. for the shops to open. (wait)
11. I …………………………….. Jane tomorrow. (see)
12. What are you ……………. at the moment? (do)
13. I usually …………… early on Mondays. (get up)
14. The universe ………………………, and has been so since its beginning. (expand)
15. My sister ……………………. at home for the moment. (live)
16. I …………….. my homework. (do)
17. You ……………….. too much fat food. (eat)
18. Which TV channel do you usually …………….. ? (watch)
19. What time does the train ………………… ? (arrive)
20. How often do you …………… to the movies? (go)
21. He …………………………. in Italy at the moment. (work)
22. She doesn’t like to be disturbed when she ………………………….. (work)

Exercises II. Translate into English

1. Kamu sedang belajar Bahasa Inggris
2. Dia sedang menggunakan internet di kafe
3. Apakah kamu masih bekerja di perusahaan yang sama?
4. Lebih banyak lagi orang menjadi vegetarian
5. Saya akan bertemu kekasihku malam ini
6. Kami akan berlibur besok
7. Apakah mereka akan mengunjungimu musim dingin nanti?
8. Biasanya dia bermain drum, tetapi dia memainkan gitar mala mini.
9. Ramalan cuaca bagus, namun sekarang sedang hujan
10. Harry dan Sully selalu berargumen berbeda
11. Kamu terus menerus mengeluhkan tentang ibu tirimu
12. Kami berencana akan menengok kakek nanti