Present Continuous

The present continuous is used to talk about present situations which we see as
short-term or temporary. We use the present simple to talk about present situations
which we see as long-term or permanent.

In these examples, the action is taking place at the time of speaking.

 It's raining.
 Who is Kate talking to on the phone?
 Look, somebody is trying to steal that man's wallet.
 I'm not looking. My eyes are closed tightly.

In these examples, the action is true at the present time but we don't think it will be
true in the long term.

 I'm looking for a new apartment.

 He's thinking about leaving his job.
 They're considering making an appeal against the judgement.
 Are you getting enough sleep?

In these examples, the action is at a definite point in the future and it has already
been arranged.

 I'm meeting her at 6.30.

 They aren't arriving until Tuesday.
 We are having a special dinner at a top restaurant for all the senior managers.
 Isn't he coming to the dinner?
Learning Script. Teacher = black Student = purple

Here are some examples of things happening now.

I'm just uploading some photos to Facebook and I'm sending a message to Billie.
We're all riding camels and the sun's shining.
They're waiting for me to get off the phone!
I'm not sure what 'temporary' means. Can I say 'I'm learning to drive', even if I'm not having a
driving lesson right now?
Yes, absolutely! You might not be having a driving lesson right at this moment, but it is temporary,
so that's correct. We use the present continuous for longer situations like this too.
OK, I see what you mean. So that’s for things happening now, or round about now. What about the
future? Can I use the present continuous for the future?
Yes, I’m glad you asked me that. We use the present continuous for future arrangements with other
people.
At eight I’m meeting Lucas, just for a quick coffee.
What about questions and negatives?
For questions you just change round the subject and the verb to be. So, You are > Are you, then add
the –ing form. Sometimes you need a question word first.
Are you working hard for the exam?
What are you doing?
Is anybody sitting here?
For negatives you add not after the verb to be. Don't forget to use a contraction if you're speaking.
You're not really studying at all, are you? (or You aren't really studying…)
They aren't using the computer room at the moment.
This program isn't working.
That's fine, but I suppose there are some spelling rules for –ing forms?
Yes, you're right. If a verb ends in e, you take off the e and add –ing
have - having ride - riding
If a verb ends in a vowel + a consonant, the consonant is usually doubled before you add –ing.
swim - swimming run - running
But be careful with verbs with more than two syllables where the stress isn't on the last syllable.
With those you don't double the consonant.
visit - visiting open - opening
OK, but what about two-syllable verbs where the stress is on the last syllable, like begin?
If the stress is on the last syllable, you do double the final consonant.
begin - beginning
Right, the present continuous seems quite easy to me. I'm understanding it perfectly!
Whoops! Sorry, you can't say 'I'm understanding it'.
Why not? I'm talking about something happening right now.
Yes, but there is a group of verbs which are called state verbs which we use for states (not actions)
and we don't usually use these in the continuous form.
want - need - like - love - hate - prefer - believe - think - know - realise - understand - recognise -
suppose - be - exist - appear - look - seem - belong - have (for possession) - own - feel - smell -
taste
So these are verbs for talking about emotions, thinking, existing, appearing, possession and the
senses.
Yes, excellent.
But wait a minute. What about, 'I'm thinking of coming with you tomorrow.' Or, 'I'm thinking about
my girlfriend.'
Yes, they are correct. But the meaning of think there is 'having thoughts in your mind' or
'considering'. It's not the same as 'having an opinion' about something.
I think that song's brilliant. (opinion)
She's thinking about studying archaeology. (considering / wondering about)
OK, so there are some exceptions. Like, 'I'm loving it.'
No, sorry, that's not an exception, that's wrong!
It can't be wrong!
Well, OK, maybe it's a new usage. English does change. But don't use it in exams!
 Present simple

We use the present simple to talk about actions we see as long term or permanent. It is
a very common and very important tense.

Here, we are talking about regular actions or events.

 They drive to the office every day.

 She doesn't come here very often.
 The news usually starts at 6.00 every evening.
 Do you usually have bacon and eggs for breakfast?

Here, we are talking about facts.

 We have two children.

 Water freezes at 0° C or 32° F.
 What does this expression mean?
 The Thames flows through London.

Here, we are talking about future facts, usually found in a timetable or a chart.

 Christmas Day falls on a Monday this year.

 The plane leaves at 5.00 tomorrow morning.
 Ramadan doesn't start for another 3 weeks.
 Does the class begin at 10 or 11 this week?

Here, we are talking about our thoughts and feelings at the time of speaking. Although
these feelings can be short-term, we use the present simple and not the present
continuous.

 They don't ever agree with us.

 I think you are right.
 She doesn't want you to do it.
 Do you understand what I am trying to say.
Learning Script. Teacher = black Student = purple

We use the present simple to talk about things which are repeated every day, every week, every
year, etc.
I usually get up at 7 o'clock.
During the week I have swimming practice on Mondays, I do tae kwon do on Tuesdays and
tennis on Thursdays.
We always go on holiday in the summer.
I see. And you use words for explaining more about the time too.
Yes, we often use adverbs of frequency sometimes, often, usually or other time expressions like on
Mondays, twice a week or in the summer.
What about permanent states? What does that mean?
Permanent states are situations or feelings which are not temporary.
I like him a lot.
Sophie works as a travel writer.
They live in London.
We also use the present simple for general facts, for example when talking about science or
geography.
Thailand is really hot at this time of year.
Snakes live on the ground, in trees and in water.
So what do I need to know about forming the present simple?
The main thing is that the third person singular forms end in –s or –es. That's for he, she or it.
He watches black and white films at his cinema club on Wednesdays.
 He thinks chess is a sport!
OK, and the other forms don't end in –s or –es? I watch TV a lot. We think Coldplay are boring.
Correct!
What about questions and negatives?
For most verbs we use the present simple of the verb do/does + subject + infinitive without to to
form questions.
Do you see him on Wednesdays then?
Does Jack like sports?
For negatives we use the subject + do/does + not + infinitive without to.
Daisy and Jack don't go out together much at the weekend.
I don't think Coldplay are boring.

To go back to the idea of permanent and temporary things, what about this sentence: Is your mum in
Thailand this week? Isn't that temporary?
Yes, it is. That's a very good point. Normally we use the present simple for permanent states, and
the present continuous for temporary states, but some verbs are thought of as State Verbs and they
are not usually used in the continuous form.
And the verb to be is one of those verbs?
Exactly! So even though staying in Thailand is temporary, we use the present simple with the verb
'to be'. Here's another example:
How's Daisy? Is she with you?
But that isn't the question form you just told me about! Where's the do?
Ah, no. I said 'for most verbs we use do in questions'. The verb to be is different and so are modal
verbs like can. We'll look at the verb to be separately because it's different and very common.
What are the other state verbs?
We'll look at those when we look at the Present Continuous. Any more questions?
Yes, what about: The train leaves at 5 in the morning. Isn't that talking about an event in the future?
Yes, it is, but it's also a repeated event. This is sometimes called the 'timetable future'.
OK, I have a maths class in a minute, so I have to go.
Good use of the 'timetable future'! Bye!