5. 3. 1.

Present continuous

The present continuous (also called present progressive) is a verb tense which is used to show

that an ongoing action is happening now, either at the moment of speech or now in a larger sense.

Use of the Present Continuous

 actions happening at the moment of speaking

Peter is reading a book now.

 1.2. fixed plans in the near future

We are going to Basel on Saturday.

 1.3. temporary actions

I am working in Rome this month.

 1.4. actions happening around the moment of speaking (longer actions)

My friend is preparing for his exams.

 1.5. trends
More and more people are using their computers to listen to music.

 1.6. repeated actions which are irritating to the speaker

(with always, constantly, forever)
Andrew is always coming late.

Present Continuous Structure

to be (am, are, is) + Infinitiv + -ing

 Affirmative sentences in the Present Continuous

Long forms Contracted forms

I am playing football. I'm playing football.
You are playing football. You're playing football.
He is playing football. He's playing football.

 Negative sentences in the Present Continuous

Long forms Contracted forms

I am not playing football. I'm not playing football.
You're not playing football.
You are not playing football.
You aren't playing football.
He's not playing football.
He is not playing football.
He isn't playing football.

 Questions in the Present Continuous

 Long forms Contracted forms
Am I playing football?
Are you playing football? not possible
Is he playing football?

Exercise
A. Make the present continuous, positive or negative.

1. (I/study at the moment) _________________________________________

2. (I / not / sleep) __________________________________________
3. (you / play badminton tonight) ___________________________________
4. (we / watch TV ) ________________________________________
5. ( she / not / work in Spain) ________________________________________

The present continuous can also be used to show that an action is going to take place in the near
future.

Affirmative form
Subject + verb TO BE + verb –ing + complement + time expression

Examples:
I'm staying with Susan this weekend.
Jamie and his family are flying to Toronto next week.
Susan is taking an English course next summer.

Negative form
Subject + verb TO BE + not + verb –ing + complement + time expression

Example:
She is not doing her homework after dinner. She is watching her favorite TV series.

Interrogative form
Verb TO BE + subject + verb –ing + complement + time expression ?
Yes, + subject + verb TO BE.
No, + subject + verb TO BE

Example:
Are Jamie and his family flying to Toronto next week?
Yes, they are.
No, they aren't.

Exercise
A. Answer the questions. Leave out the time expressions (see example).

1. What is Kim doing on Monday evening? (to meet Tom)

She is meeting Tom.
 2. What is she doing on Tuesday evening? (play badminton)

3. What is she doing on Wednesday morning? (see the dentist)

4. What is she doing on Wednesday evening? (work late)

5. What is she doing on Thursday afternoon? (pick up Jen from the airport)

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References:
 https://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/presentcontinuous.html#:~:text=The%20present
%20continuous%20(also%20called,now%20in%20a%20larger%20sense.