Uses of the Present continuous

An action A temporary A changing Behaviour that

happening at situation situation happens more
the time of often than
speaking expected

He's always I'm cooking dinner

You’re always
parking his car in Why don't you co You’re getting fat!
taking my books!
my parking space! me over?

He’s having lunch. I’m doing an People are living

House prices are
Can he call you English course on longer than ever
going up again.
back? Tuesday evenings before.

We’re currently
More people are working on a She’s forever
We’re stocktaking
getting divorced project to update gossiping about
this week.
these days. the accounting soft other people.
ware.

He's always
They’re packing I’m working on
telling everyone You’re always
your order right the page design
how successful teasing me!
now. today. I'll call you
he is.
when it's ready.
Answers

An action happening at the time of speaking

He’s having lunch. Can he call you back?
They’re packing your order right now.
I'm cooking dinner. Why don't you come over?

A temporary situation
We’re currently working on a project to update the accounting software.
I’m doing an English course at SPACE.
We’re stocktaking this week.
I’m working on the page design today. It’ll be ready on Friday.

A changing situation
You’re getting fat!
House prices are going up again.
People are living longer than ever before.
More people are getting divorced these days.

Behaviour that happens more often than expected

You’re always taking my books!
She’s forever gossiping about other people on the phone.
You’re always teasing me!
He's always parking his car in my parking space!
He's always telling everyonehow successful he is.