Present continuous: form (Presente Continuo: forma)

● We use am, are, is + the -ing form of the verb. We use the short form more often than
the full form, especially when speaking.
(Utilizamos am, are, is + el verbo con la terminación -ing. Especialmente al hablar, se
utiliza la forma corta en lugar de la forma completa)
Present continuous: -ing form spelling
● For most verbs we add -ing to the base form to make the -ing form:
(Para la mayoría de los verbos agregamos -ing al verbo para formar el presente
continuo)

● For other verbs the spelling changes are:

(Para otros verbos, los cambios ortográficos son)
Present continuous: uses (usos del presente continuo)
Events at the time of speaking (eventos que suceden en el momento en que se habla)
● We use the present continuous to talk about events which are in progress at the moment
of speaking:
(Utilizamos el presente continuo para hablar de eventos que están en progreso en el
momento en que se habla)
A:
What time’s dinner?
B:
I’m cooking now so it’ll be ready in about half an hour.
She’s pressing the button but nothing is happening.
Temporary states (Estados temporarios)
● We use the present continuous to talk about temporary states which are true around the
moment of speaking:
(El presente continuo se utiliza para hablar sobre estados temporarios que son ciertos
en el momento en que se habla)

Her mother’s living with her at the moment. She’s just come out of hospital.
Who’s looking after the children while you’re here?

Repeated temporary events (Eventos temporarios repetitivos)

● We use the present continuous to describe actions which are repeated or regular, but
which we believe to be temporary:
(Se utiliza el presente continuo para describir acciones que son repetitivas o regulares,
pero que se cree son temporales)

I’m not drinking much coffee these days. I’m trying to cut down.
She’s working a lot in London at the moment. (She doesn’t usually work in London.)

Change (Cambio)
● We use the present continuous to talk about a gradual change:
(Utilizamos el presente continuo para hablar sobre el/los cambio/s graduales)

They’re building a new stand at the football ground.

Maria, 37, is getting better and doctors are optimistic she will make a full recovery.
Recent evidence suggests that the economic situation is improving.

Regular unplanned events (Eventos regulares no planeados)

● We often use the present continuous with words like always, constantly, continually and
forever (adverbs of indefinite frequency) to describe events which are regular but not
planned, and often not wanted:
Generalmente, utilizamos el presente continuo con palabras como “always”,
“constantly”, “continually” y “forever” (adverbios de frecuencia indefinida) para describir
eventos que son regulares pero no planificados, y generalmente indeseados)

My wife, she’s always throwing things out. I like to keep everything.

I’m constantly spilling things.

Plans and arrangements (Planes y arreglos)

● We use the present continuous to refer to the future when we talk about plans and
arrangements that have already been made:
(Se utiliza el presente continuo para hacer referencia al futuro cuando hablamos acerca
de planes o arreglos previamente hechos)

We’re moving to Cambridge in July.

Sarah isn’t taking Rory to football training later. She hasn’t got the car tonight.
Aren’t you playing tennis on Saturday?